In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, several vaccines have sprung up around the world to combat the spread.

Currently, two vaccines have been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Association to be administered to the population: the Moderna vaccine and the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.

According to CNN, the Moderna vaccine is different than the Pfizer vaccine due to the fact that it can be stored in normal freezers and does not need to be kept “super-cold” while in transit like the Pfizer vaccine does.

Both vaccines use a messenger RNA system to prep the body to fight an actual infection. Both also are administered in two doses to patients.

The AstraZeneca vaccine is another approved vaccine, although it has yet to be cleared for use in the United States. 

According to Prevention, the AstraZeneca vaccine is unlike the other two because it can be stored at a higher temperature and costs less per dose.

The AstraZeneca vaccine also happens to use a different method than the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. 

Instead of using messenger RNA, it uses adeno-virus technology. This means that the vaccine is a modified version of a common cold virus that does not make humans sick — it still carries the necessary characteristics to evoke an immune system response and build an immunity against a real COVID-19 infection.

Regarding vaccination in Eau Claire, the Eau Claire County Information Hub has a page dedicated to vaccination in Eau Claire.

Currently, the only people eligible for a vaccine in Eau Claire are:

• Frontline healthcare workers, emergency medical services and other direct patient care
• Those who live in long-time care facilities
• First responders
• Corrections personnel
• People who are 65 or older

Vaccinations are available at HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital/Prevea, Marshfield Clinic, Mayo Clinic and Oakleaf Clinics. Appointments are to be made online using the links on the Information Hub page. 

In Eau Claire County, there have been a total of 10,788 positive cases of COVID-19 as well as 46,377 negative tests, according to the Information Hub. 

There have been 104 deaths due to COVID-19, which is a death rate of 0.96%. Currently, there are 244 active cases of COVID-19. The information hub also reports 344 cases of COVID-19 that lead to necessary hospitalization. 

As of 3 p.m. on Tuesday, there are no new cases of COVID-19 among staff and students tested at Zorn Arena at UW-Eau Claire.

According to the UW-Eau Claire COVID-19 dashboard, there are now five students in isolation on campus, with another 12 currently in quarantine. 

There have been 10 positive tests out of the 11,454 tests given since Jan. 23. 

The Barron County data has no new positive test results since it was reported on Feb. 3. However, there have been 18 self-reported positive tests by Barron County students as well as two that were self-reported by staff. 

As of 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 8, the information from the Eau Claire City-County Health Department said there are 35 new student-connected positive cases of COVID-19 and one staff-connected case. 

The amount of UW-Eau Claire student-connected cases since September of 2020 now rests at 1,037 cases. The number of UW-Eau Claire staff and faculty-connected cases is now at 41 cases. 

Spierings can be reached at [email protected].