Four years ago, the world was thrust into a pandemic. In the early months of the COVID-19 outbreak, there were many unknowns. Yet government officials, researchers, and public health professionals rallied together, determined to uncover the origins of COVID-19, explore potential treatments, and develop vaccines.
Since then, the world has progressed in comprehending COVID-19 and its variants. Researchers have devised effective COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots. Government agencies, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), maintain comprehensive COVID-19 websites that offer the latest information about vaccines, COVID-19 case statistics, and other crucial details.
Inequities existed before COVID-19. Literature reviews often outline society’s role in economic, educational, and healthcare issues. They highlight how societal choices can affect the care received by different population groups. However, COVID-19 did highlight what a collective experience can do for everyone. The response to inequities by government, public, and private entities is a catalyst for continuing change in access to health care services.
Human contact is vital for most people. The lack of access to friends, family, and social groups isolated people, and the mental and physical well-being of some began to deteriorate. As the need for social support systems increased, so did innovation. Many organizations have created teleprograms in response to the loss of social interaction. These programs fostered relationships among participants as they engaged in activities like the arts, sports, or group discussions. The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation created and supported many of these programs. Furthermore, many of the teleprograms continue to be offered by agencies after social isolation regulations were removed.
Pfizer BioNTech and Moderna developed the first COVID-19 vaccines available to the public. These mRNA vaccines use mRNA technology to teach cells how to make a protein that defends against COVID-19 and its symptoms.
Another vaccine, Novavax, is a protein subunit vaccine. These vaccines contain pieces of the COVID-19 virus and adjuvants that help the immune system respond to the virus. The CDC continues to update its recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines and boosters.