FILE - This May 4, 2020, file photo provided by the University of Maryland School of Medicine, shows the first patient enrolled in Pfizer's COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine clinical trial at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore. On Monday, Nov. 9, 2020, Pfizer said an early peek at its vaccine data suggests the shots may be 90% effective at preventing COVID-19. (Courtesy of University of Maryland School of Medicine via AP, File)
SALT LAKE CITY — The recent number of new daily COVID-19 cases may have dipped, slightly, but health officials are expecting that number to climb back up because of Thanksgiving gatherings. We’re inching closer to a vaccine, and Utahns were part of the trials for those COVID-19 vaccines.
The prospect of being one of the first people to ever get a COVID-19 vaccine before its approval can be intimidating. Test subject Steve Nunez says he had plenty of concerns when he signed up for the test study. Still, he felt compelled.
“I just wanted to help out. There are so many people I’ve lost,” he said. “I’ve lost a lot of seriously close people and even family due to the fact that COVID happened.”
He was especially rocked by the death of his sister, April, who lived in Provo.
“She ended up getting pneumonia from it and died from that,” he said.
He took the trial vaccine in California, and even though they never tell the subjects if they got the real vaccine or a placebo, he’s certain he got the real thing based on how his body reacted.
“I don’t think I’m allergic to saline,” he added.
After getting the first injection, Nunez said his arm was weak for a few days, and he had a headache, but not one strong enough to take anything for it. He was also very tired, but still kept his appetite. After the second injection, he had the chills. His husband, on the other hand, also took part in the trial and likely got the placebo, because he didn’t feel a thing.
“He had zero. Nothing. Not even a sore arm,” Nunez said. “They had already said you have to feel something if you got the vaccine.”
Nunez was part of the Pfizer trial, but Rep. Steve Eliason, R-Sandy, received the Moderna vaccine. He’s also certain he didn’t get a placebo. He took an antibody test after the injections, and if you get a reading of 1.1, that means you had COVID-19.
“My reading came in at 8.0,” he said.
Eliason says he was inspired to take part after talking with people on the campaign trail. COVID-19 was their biggest concern, and he believes a vaccine is really our only way out.
“I studied about the trials and I know they needed people to participate, and I thought, ‘You know what, that’s something I can do to help out,’ so I signed up,” said Eliason.
He understands people will have a lot of questions about COVID-19 vaccines and how safe they are. So, he says people should research if anyone has had any adverse reaction before they decide to take it.
“Could there be risks with the vaccine? Sure. Have they tested these vaccines that they’ll be distributing very thoroughly? Yes,” Eliason said.
This is the first part of our four-part series ‘‘The Vaccines: Hope on the Horizon.’ You can read part two ‘Are the Covid-19 vaccines safe?’ by clicking here.
COVID-19 coronaviruses transmitted from person to person. It is a virus that is similar to the common cold and the flu. So, to prevent it from spreading:
Utah’s Coronavirus Information
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Utah Coronavirus Information Line – 1-800-456-7707
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Commonly asked questions, World Health Organization