COVID-19 has been our country’s most pressing issue, having caused over 266,000 deaths in the U.S alone, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. With the increase in positivity rates across the country, there is fear regarding how people can protect themselves from contracting the deadly virus. Luckily, a vaccine created by BioNTech and Pfizer has proven to be effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19. A vaccine that could prevent the spread of COVID-19 would be vital in preventing more deaths and improving the current situation in the U.S ,which is why it is so important that Americans be willing to receive it. 

The vaccine created by BioNTech and Pfizer has proven to be over 90% effective according to David Gelles from the “New York Times.” If passed by the FDA, this vaccine would most likely go to first responders, doctors, and others who are at high risk first before the general public. A vaccine like this could aid in lowering the positivity rate across the U.S, safely opening up businesses and schools, and even bringing an end to the pandemic. 

There are people who are opposed to the vaccine stating that they have “concerns about safety because of the quick development pace and government overreach” , according to Jared S. Hopkins from the “Wall Street Journal.” Undoubtedly, there will always be anxiety surrounding how effective a new product will be because of the severity of the pandemic, but creating false claims and spreading misinformation only causes more hysteria. There already is doubt over the severity of the pandemic, causing people to be reckless and inconsiderate in their actions.Government leaders, such as President Donald Trump, refused to encourage the use of other preventative measures , especially in the beginning of the spread of the disease in the U.S. Instead, he made statements such as, “if we stop testing right now, we’d have very few cases, actually.” According to Sonam Sheth from “Business Insider”— this does not help in the current state of our country. 

COVID-19 has caused so much pain by taking away precious lives, closing schools and places of gathering, hurting families financially and completely shifting everyday life. A vaccine could help lessen these terrible effects and start to make everyday life more normal. Americans must be receptive to receiving a vaccine to help the future of the United States.