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EMMAUS HIGH SCHOOL @stinger.ehs @stingerehs THE STINGER @StingerEHS March 2021 Volume 46 Issue 2 COVID-19 Tents are set up with space for vaccine recipients to drive through and receive the vacci- nation without leaving their car. issue Photo by Alice Adams. A medical professional leans through a car window in order to administer a COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccine recipients were required to stay in their car throughout the process. Photo by Alice Adams. COVID VACCINES BEGIN ROLLOUT ACROSS LEHIGH VALLEY Kristen Heilenman tested positive nor experienced any symptoms. received the Pfizer vaccine. Editor-in-Chief According to Ferraro, the process to receive the vac- “We were all very much like, ‘the second we can Belle Lees cine was fairly easy. get the vaccine, we’re going to get it,’” Knappenberger News Editor “Since it was offered to all employees, all I had to do explained. When the COVID-19 vaccine became available, Em- was sign up for a time slot and get the dose on the day According to the PA Department of Health, common maus High School track and field coach Kami Reinhard they were administering where I work,” Ferraro said. “I side effects of the vaccine include pain and swelling at jumped at the chance to receive both doses of the Moder- wasn’t that nervous going into getting the vaccine. I knew the injection site, chills, tiredness, and headaches. How- na vaccine. I definitely wanted to get it. I feel very strongly about ever, Reinhard did not experience any of these effects. Reinhard, a physical therapist for Lehigh Valley Health doing my part in trying to help overcome this pandemic.” “Not a one,” Reinhard confessed. “It was very odd. I Network, received one of the 600,000 full doses that were Vaccinating students is more complicated because don’t know why ... My husband got the same [vaccine], administered in the Lehigh Valley by late February. An- some of the vaccines are not approved for children. The and the second shot for him, he was very ill [after] the other 1.5 million residents received partial doses, accord- Pfizer vaccine should only be used for people 16 and second shot. But I didn’t have any, and I’m not sure why, ing to the PA Department of Health. Currently, the state is older, and the Moderna vaccine should not be given to but I’m lucky.” in stage 1A, meaning the vaccine is being distributed to individuals under 18. Like Reinhard, Ferraro had minimal side effects after healthcare professionals, essential workers, and high-risk On Feb. 27, the Federal Drug Administration approved being vaccinated. individuals: people who provide services to the elderly or a new vaccine developed by Johnson & Johnson. The “A minor side effect of both doses was just soreness in have specific health concerns. one-dose vaccine is approved for people 18 and older. the arm that I had the shot,” Ferraro said. “However, after Along with being a physical therapist, Reinhard was Recently, there has also been a growing availability of the second dose I did have more of a reaction to the shot “redeployed” to Lehigh Valley Hospital between March doses of the J&J vaccine for teachers within EPSD. in that my body was sore and I felt pretty weak and tired and June to work with COVID-19 patients. She witnessed While both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines were the day after I got the shot. But it only lasted for that one firsthand the consequences of contracting the virus. developed using the same mRNA technology, they differ day.” “That experience showed me the severity of COVID in two main areas: the time between the first and second While Knappenberger did not have any side effects and what can happen because I saw people of all ages be dose, and the age of individuals in their studies. associated with the first shot, she did experience some affected, and how quickly it can affect people’s lives,” “The reason why Pfizer can give it to students who side effects after her second shot. Reinhard said. are younger is because their studies included younger “My second dose of the vaccine, the next day, I had a After her experience working in the hospital, Reinhard students, where the Moderna ones did not,” EHS school couple aches and pains and a little bit of nausea. It was 12 knew that she would get the vaccine as soon as possible, nurse Tracy Miller said. “So that’s the reason why theirs hours after I got my shot, and then it lasted for 12 hours,” to protect both herself and others. is approved for 16 and older. They’ve already done the Knappenberger described. “And then, after that, I was “When the vaccine came out, I mean, immediately I research on teenagers, where Moderna has not.” like, ‘I’m completely fine, that was really strange.’ ‘Cause said I would get it because, not so much even for me, but Senior Rachel Knappenberger is another student who it was not like I was getting progressively better, but just just to protect other people,” Reinhard explained. “...I received the vaccine because it was offered to everyone feeling bad, feeling bad, [then] I’m all good.” want to make sure I don’t pass it on to anybody else and at her job. Knappenberger works at the Lehigh Valley Based on research studies and observations, Mill- to families. And even though they don’t know 100 per- Eye Center in Allentown, assisting with “tech work” and er links the presence of side effects to exposure to cent yet if getting the vaccine will prevent it, it’s just one filing. Initially, she believed that she would be one of COVID-19. step closer, so I felt that I should take that step.” the last people to receive the vaccine due to her age, so “Oftentimes people who are not feeling well [after they Though many people have concerns about receiving she set out to get the vaccine as soon as it was offered, receive the vaccine] have been exposed to COVID — the vaccine, Reinhard was very confident in her decision receiving her first dose on Dec. 30 and her second dose knowingly or unknowingly,” Miller said. “...They are the to get it. on Jan. 20. ones who feel the crummiest after the second — and it’s “I’ve been following the research,” Reinhard said. “I “I was like ‘I’m never going to get the COVID vac- usually the second dose.” trust the science behind it, and at this point, what I’ve cine. I’m not. I’m 17 years old. They’re not going to Miller encourages everyone to be vaccinated, even seen, is it’s 100 percent effective in preventing a severe provide me [with] it until it’s like everyone can get it,’” if they have already been exposed and the possibility of [case], you know, like a hospitalization COVID illness.” Knappenberger said. “...[But] my work was like, ‘we feeling unwell is present. Several other members of the EHS community have want you guys to get the COVID vaccine, and it’s avail- “Fear of not feeling well for a day should not deter also received the vaccine; senior Emma Ferraro is one of able for all people who work [here].’ I was like, ‘what people from being vaccinated,” Miller said. “We are them. Ferraro received both doses of the Pfizer-Biotech better opportunity to get it.’” never going to achieve herd immunity without getting the vaccine, as she works in a retirement home. The oppor- Everyone in Knappenberger’s family has already majority of the population vaccinated.” tunity to be vaccinated was presented to all of her fellow been vaccinated: her dad and grandparents received the employees. Ferraro was exposed to COVID, but never Moderna vaccine, and Knappenberger and her mother Continued on page 2 S T I N G E R E H S . C O M 2 THE STING ER MARCH 2021 STINGEREHS.COM News Kindly, Krissy FINDING Vaccine rollout grows ENTHUSIASM IN Continued from page 1 continually rethink the safety of their day- school has been when social distancing is AN OLD PRACTICE to-day activities. not or cannot be followed, so following In general, Ferraro sees the benefits to “You’ve got to really rethink little the rules on social distancing, masks, and the COVID vaccines and is thankful she things like sleepovers, and socializing hygiene is still very important.” Kristen was able to receive hers and do her part to without masks,” Miller said. “I have For all seniors planning to attend Heilenman “stop the spread.” Knappenberger is also had several students transmit the disease college next year, Miller urges getting Editor- grateful for her opportunity to receive the during sleepovers. I think that people vaccinated due to possibly unforeseen in-Chief vaccine and encourages “anyone who gets are on their guard when they’re in the circumstances with roommates. I distinctly the chance” to “go get it.” building, and they’re off their guard when “You could be living with a partier, or remember Miller advocates for all students to they’re at home and with their friends.” someone who doesn’t follow the guide- learning how One thing Mill- lines, you don’t know,” Miller said. “Stu- to postmark er recognizes is the dents living in congregate living spaces a letter in lack of spread among are in group 1B, so it looks like seniors elementa- students and teachers, will be able to get vaccinated before they ry school; showing the success of go to college in August.” however, I EHS’ hybrid model.