State and health leaders say COVID-19 vaccine is safe

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

As front line health care workers are starting to receive Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine, leaders are assuring Missourians that it is safe.

Governor Mike Parson said at his state briefing Wednesday the vaccine has followed all of the traditional standards for safety. He mentioned both the Pfizer vaccine and the Moderna vaccine, which hasn't yet been approved by the FDA, are 95 percent effective.

"I know there is already a lot of misinformation circulating, but I want to assure this vaccine is safe and highly effective," Parson said.

Missouri received its first shipment of Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine this week, with about 51,000 vials going out to hospitals across the state.

A second Pfizer shipment is expected next week, along with more than 100,000 doses of Moderna's vaccine, pending FDA approval.

Dr. Randall Williams, director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, said the coronavirus vaccines go through a rigorous review process before approval.

"We very much think this is safe, and as the governor said, effective, for people with COVID," Williams said. He said the Missouri health department also looked over the vaccine and approved its safety.

"We hope everyone will consider getting this vaccination, and people have questions, we understand that," Williams said.

Williams said less than 10% of people experience mild side effects, usually with the second shot. Those symptoms -- fatigue, headaches, muscle pain and others -- go away after about a day, he said.

The Chief Medical Officer of Boone Hospital in Columbia Dr. Robin Blout also expressed her confidence in the safety of the vaccine. She said 70-percent of Boone Hospital's staff have already volunteered to get the vaccine, and she expects that number to continue to rise.

"We can't emphasize enough how important it is for everyone to get this vaccine," Blount said.

Boone Hospital will start their vaccination at 8 a.m. on Thursday. Blount said the community still needs to be vigilant.

"We're not out of the woods, I think the light is at the end of the tunnel," Blount said. "We definitely have to recognize it could be well into the summer before the full general public is less vulnerable."

Gov. Parson said while the vaccine is in Missouri, social distancing, mask-wearing and general hygiene is still extremely important as we move through the holiday season.

"The vaccine, needless to say, is exciting news, but we cannot let our guard down," Parson said. "We have to continue to practice the things we've been practicing, and not only that, we have to do a better job of it."

Parson said he would receive the vaccine, but since he has already had COVID-19, he wants to make sure he is following the right steps and allowing those who need it first to get it.

The state has a dedicated website for COVID-19 vaccine information, including information about safety and the phases of distribution. The website can be found by clicking this link.

Watch ABC17 News at 9 and 10 for the full story.