WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Seniors and health care workers across Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast are set to receive their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine Monday.
SPECIAL COVERAGE: Coronavirus
However, not everyone is on board with getting the vaccination.
"I'd rather just not take it," said Walder Cius, resident. "I've been fine so far."
Cius said his main concerns are that the vaccine is new and rushed to be produced.
"I rather wait for it to be tested, used, show me what happens first," Cius said.
Resident Rishay Nithoo said he's willing to take it once he's eligible.
"I trust the science," said Nithoo. "If it's out, it's probably ready to be out."
"The main concern most people have is that this is something new," said Dr. Olayemi Osiyemi, infectious disease physician.
Osiyemi said this vaccine is an mRNA vaccine and that it differs from older vaccine technology.
"What we're able to do in 2020 is different than what we were able to do in 2015," said Dr. Osiyemi.
Coronavirus vaccines with mRNA technology use a code of a spike protein to build antibodies rather than a small sample of a live virus.
mRNA from the vaccine never enters the nucleus of the cell and does not interact or affect a person's DNA, according to the Center for Disease Control.
"Instead of giving the body that piece of the virus, we're actually giving the code for that piece of the virus," Osiyemi said.
Osiyemi said the public should not be worried about getting the vaccine.
"I think people really need to get the info from the right source and really try to understand how this vaccine works rather than be fearful," said Dr. Osiyemi.
To diminish the community spread of COVID-19, Osiyemi said 70% of people will need to receive some preventative treatment such as the vaccine.
