Why you can't compare Covid-19 vaccines - Vox
What a vaccine's "efficacy rate" actually means.
= new reply since forum marked as read
Got into a discussion earlier with someone (IRL) who dismisses the efficacy of the vaccines, so I found this very helpful. 
But I find myself confronting people who don't yet trust it which makes no sense to me given the number of people having received it (including all our "actual" living presidents and Dr. Fauci himself!) so I needed more information to pass on to convince the doubters. 
BTW, I got Moderna shot #1 three weeks ago and all I felt was a slightly sore arm for the rest of that day. 
Turns out mine was Moderna, but my friend who works in the ER got the Pfizer vaccine early on and she said the same thing, only a slightly sore arm. And I do know someone who got the J&J vaccine last week and didn't experience any ill effects, either.
I do know people - like my friend who teaches - who had to drive miles away to get the vaccine. But here in New York they've not only lowered the age requirement, but they have opened up both a county and a town vaccine clinic site not far from me. My only worry is over those who are still refusing to get it either because they still don't trust it or they're in denial which makes no sense given the numbers. There are currently 121 active cases in my small upstate county as of yesterday. 
That's one thing I've noticed, I live just south of the seasonal tourist area of Lake George and we see tourists from all over, but since the pandemic I have not seen one car from Canada, there are usually a lot from Ontario and Quebec. I can't say I blame them, Canada took action early on.
And I felt like pointing out to the acquaintance I overheard complaining that those of us who got the vaccine are "guinea pigs" and we don't know what the effects will be - that Dr. Fauci got the same vaccine that I did, but I fear he may have been a Trump voter which makes even less sense than worrying about the vaccine. And Trump did get vaccinated, but unlike those presidents who did so on camera to set an example, Trump did it in secret, just didn't tell anyone. 
I knew those who drove across the state to get vaccinated so when my chance came, I didn't pass it up. And I was kinda tickled when I learned that I got the same vaccine as Dr. Fauci. 
Ty for posting this, Rhiannon!
I've had both Pfizer vaccines & only a very mildly tender arm each time.
I get my second Moderna shot a week from today at CVS, confirmed my appointment today. I'm anxious to get it over with, but I don't plan on changing a thing. And, like I said, anyplace I'd be apt to go has mandated precautions.
And not only has the governor announced that the age requirement has now gone down, but two new places are opening to offer vaccines - one for the town and the other for the county, not all that far away. I passed the one for the town the last time I want out, it's at the former Sears store in the local mall and there was a big neon sign on the road giving the number to call to make an appointment.
I think the explanation of avoiding hospitalization and death should be persuasive enough for anyone! 
Ad I'm going to use this simple explanation the next time anyone I know expresses doubts. Avoiding hospitalization and death should be persuasive enough.
