On Wednesday, Barbara and I received our first Pfizer mRNA vaccinations without immediate complications. Our feeling of relief is however tempered by the recognition that so many of our fellow citizens will wait for months for their protection.

We are deeply thankful for all who were involved in the development of the  two approved vaccines. We owe gratitude to scientists and administrators at the NIH, the CDC, U.S. Army, Federal and state public health authorities, DHSS, pharmaceutical companies, commercial carriers and the personnel involved in administration.

Despite the claims of development of the vaccines at “warp speed” effective products would not have been possible without the basic and applied molecular biology initiated over a decade ago in diverse laboratories on at least three continents. Science, logistics, commonsense precautions and rapid deployment of vaccines will beat this pandemic and restore our pre-COVID way of life.

Until 75 to 80 percent of our population is immune we cannot reduce the intensity of our personal and collective responsibility to prevent infection. This will entail continued masking, avoiding crowds, restricting travel and personal hygiene. We have sacrificed too much in illness, death, social disruption and economic loss to relent now. Today’s jabs were a reminder of what we have endured as a Nation and what we still face before we reach the “other side”. Let us hope we attain the goal of 100 million doses in 100 days.