On December 14, 2020, the U.S. administered its first COVID-19 vaccine injections to frontline healthcare workers. Now, nearly two months into the vaccination rollout and one year after WORT’s first show about the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, we invite Dr. Dave O’Connor back on the show to answer a wide variety of listener questions about the vaccines.

For example: What are the differences between the two vaccines being administered in the U.S. right now, Moderna and Pfizer? How was safety and efficacy determined? Why is the Johnson & Johnson vaccine less efficacious? Should you still wear a mask after you’ve been vaccinated? (Spoiler alert: the answer is yes!)

In addition to all of this helpful information, Dr. O’Connor offers this main takeaway: “When it’s your turn in line to get the vaccine, take it.”

Dave O’Connor is a professor of pathology and laboratory medicine at the UW Medical Foundation. He leads the O’Connor Lab, which focuses on contributing to the global response to viral infections impacting human health, including COVID-19 and HIV.

You can listen to Dave O’Connor’s first appearance on A Public Affair with host Carousel Bayrd on December 1, 2020 here.

Cover photo by Daniel Schludi on Unsplash