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As we continue to see a rise in COVID-19 cases nationwide, scientists are working tirelessly to develop an effective vaccine.
Of course, we’re still months away from FDA approval and distribution, but what if you didn’t have to wait? A small handful of people have already gotten a COVID-19 vaccine from early clinical trials.
One of them is Ian Haydon, who works at a biotech institute in Seattle and learned about the study from one of his co-workers.
"You know, I’m lucky to be in good health, and I happen to live in a city where one of these trials is taking place," Haydon said.
Haydon was part of the first phase of Moderna’s vaccine trial. He was in the study group that received the highest dosage - two shots spaced out 28 days apart.
"I went in for the first injection, which was really not much to report," Haydon explained. "The shot didn’t hurt."
The second dose, however, hit him like a ton of bricks.
"We’ve come to learn that dose is probably too high," Haydon said. "I ended up developing a fever, nausea, headache, muscle fatigue that lasted about a day."
The 29-year-old’s symptoms quickly resolved. He said Moderna won’t be testing the high dosage anymore. What they do know is all participants developed antibodies, yet it’s unknown who is immune to the virus.
"This is an experimental vaccine. We don’t know if it’s going to work. I’m still working from home, still wearing a mask, keeping my distance like I hope everybody is. This is just a game of patience," Haydon said.