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Vanderbilt infectious disease expert offers cautions concerning Pfizer vaccine

Vanderbilt.edu

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Mike Osborne) — Vanderbilt infectious disease expert Dr. William Schaffner said Monday he’s pleasantly surprised to hear Pfizer’s new COVID-19 vaccine is 90 percent effective in trials.

However, Dr. Schaffner also offered some cautions while speaking to Bloomberg News.

He noted that the Pfizer vaccine requires a series of two shots, meaning two visits to your medical practitioner.

Dr. Schaffner cautioned that it will be some time before we learn if the vaccine is as effective in the general population as it has been among drug trial participants.

He also said the injection will be somewhat painful, and the vaccine could cause a slight reaction leaving recipients feeling briefly ill.

In addition, the vaccine is fragile. It has to be used quickly after being manufactured and must be kept cold.

On the plus side, Dr. Schaffner says he’s now guardedly optimistic that distribution could begin as early as next month.

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