MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Seattle woman who participated in early Moderna vaccine trial is ‘optimistic’

Nov 17, 2020, 5:07 PM | Updated: Oct 2, 2024, 9:05 pm

covid vaccines...

A pharmacist gives Jennifer Haller the first shot in the first-stage safety study clinical trial of a potential vaccine for COVID-19 in March in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

(AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Moderna announced this week that early data for its vaccine has shown to be 95% effective.

A Seattle woman, Jennifer Haller, was the first person in the United States to participate in a COVID vaccine trial, receiving two doses of Moderna’s vaccine back in March as part of the Phase 1 trial.

“To wake up and to hear that it was almost 95% effective, was just — was amazing,” she said.

Since Haller was part of the first phase of the vaccine meant to test safety, she only got 25 micrograms of the vaccine. Everyone in the Phase 3 trial — the one that has been deemed very effective — got 100 micrograms.

Haller told KIRO Radio on Monday that she was already feeling optimistic last week after Pfizer announced that its own vaccine was testing 90% effective, and she’s feeling even more confident now.

“Last week, when the Pfizer information came out saying that they were 90% effective, I thought that was quite amazing and bold,” she said. “And, you know, I was hopeful that the Moderna vaccine might show similar efficacy.”

“There’s been surveys done saying that only half of this country would accept a vaccine,” she added. “I’m very optimistic that people will come around and will see that this vaccine is safe and effective.”

Ballard woman ‘feels great’ nearly 4 months into COVID-19 vaccine trial

Haller says she still hasn’t seen any negative side effects, other than her arm being sore after getting the vaccine shot.

KIRO Radio’s Alec Downing contributed to this report.

MyNorthwest News

Purple Heart Gregg Stone...

Seattle's Morning News

Purple Heart awarded to Air Force Maj. Gregg Stone, 23 years after deadly Camp Pennsylvania attack

Air Force Major Gregg Stone was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart on Wednesday — more than 23 years after he was killed.

4 minutes ago

rabid bat...

KIRO 7 News Staff

Rabid bat found near playground at Renton’s Gene Coulon Park

Health officials are warning the public that a rabid bat was found near a popular park in Renton.

26 minutes ago

cats kent...

Jason Sutich

Experts dispel fears of serial cat killer behind dead pets turning up in Kent

Several cats found dead and mutilated around Kent were killed by wildlife, not humans, experts concluded.

2 hours ago

Bite of Seattle shooting (1)...

Julia Dallas

15-year-old charged with first-degree assault in Bite of Seattle shooting as murder investigation continues

The 15-year-old in custody in connection with a gang-related mass shooting at Seattle Center has been charged with assault.

3 hours ago

Gas Works Park...

Julia Dallas

Big-name DJ teases Gas Works Park show after more than decade-long Seattle hiatus

A Grammy Award-winning electronic DJ and producer could be making his way back to Seattle after more than a decade.

3 hours ago

Seafair...

Meteorologist Nick Allard, KIRO 7 News

Clouds could be the bigger story than rain for Seafair weekend

When people think about weather affecting Seafair weekend, rain is usually the first thing that comes to mind.

4 hours ago

Seattle woman who participated in early Moderna vaccine trial is ‘optimistic’