(WXYZ) — It’s the gift the whole world has been waiting for, and just in time for Christmas, a COVID-19 vaccine is here in the United States.
“I was ecstatic. Elated. My children will let me out of the house now,” said one metro Detroit woman.
A CDC committee is now the latest group to sign off on the Pfizer COVID 19 vaccine, recommending it for Americans ages 16 and older.
“I will, absolutely," said Tom Shelton. "My whole family, as soon as we can.”
Not a single member of the CDC committee voted no, saying it is remarkably safe and effective. But despite their assurance, the percentage of the public willing to take a COVID vaccine has declined from around 80% in March down to roughly 50% or 60% percent today.
“I'm not worried about getting COVID, so why get something to quote on quote protect myself from it,” said Joseph McKenna.
However doctors still have time to change minds. By the time the general public has access to the vaccine in late spring, thousands of health care workers will have been vaccinated. Dr. Jonathan Lovy from Beaumont Hospital in Trenton is among the first.
“I’m ready to be among the first soldiers to be able to punch through that front line, fully armed and be able to clear the way for others,” said Dr. Lovy.
His first injection is already set for Tuesday. He’ll be documenting his side effects for the next few months to prove to others that the vaccine is safe.
“There’s going to be some muscle aches, there’s going to be some low grade fever, but from what I’ve seen in the hospital (with COVID patients) that’s a whole lot better,” Dr. Lovy.
Even with this Christmas miracle, the pandemic still wages on. Dr. Lovy is fearful of a post Christmas surge, but finally for the first time in nearly a year, there’s light at the end of the road.
“My hope is that we all buy into this, we all do our part to protect all of us as a community,” Dr. Lovy said.
