Oregon Health Authority’s EMS Medical Director, Dr. David Lehrfeld, received his first dose of the Pfizer vaccine in December. Dr. Lehrfeld was a participant in Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine trials but found out afterward he was part of the group that received a placebo.

“Having been part of this study, and having reviewed the available data, I am confident in the safety and effectiveness of this vaccine. By getting this vaccine, I know I am protecting my patients, and the frontline physicians, PAs and nurses who have carried us through this crisis. I hope everyone will get the vaccine when it becomes available to protect not just themselves, but their loved ones.”

After the first vaccination, Dr. Lehrfeld reported some mild pain at the injection site. “I just put some ice on it and got through the day. By the next day, the pain was gone and I couldn’t tell that I had had an injection. I never experienced any of the systemic side effects such as fever, fatigue, headache or chills.”

While vaccinations give us hope the pandemic will end, getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is still months away for most Oregonians. That means we need to keep doing what we’ve been doing — wearing masks, physical distancing, avoiding gatherings and staying home if sick — to help our friends, neighbors and ourselves stay safe and healthy.

This article first appeared in the Dec. 29, 2020 issue of Oregon Coronavirus Update.