New iPads, free tuition for a year, an unlimited meal plan: these are just a few of the prizes students who submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination are eligible for at Clemson. 
Unable to mandate vaccines under state law in South Carolina, the university has turned to incentivizing students to get vaccinated and submit proof as the Delta variant of COVID-19 rages on.
All students who upload a completed vaccination record by the end of September will be receive $50 of Paw Points – Clemson Dining’s on-campus currency – and be entered into a drawing to win a variety of high-stakes prizes.
To make it easier for students to receive a vaccine, Clemson is offering a free vaccine clinic this week and next at Fike Gymnasium from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The service will be provided by Vax Clinic and is offering the two-dose Moderna shot.
But while $50 towards Chick-fil-A may be tempting enough for many students, others still have reasonable concerns in getting the COVID-19 vaccine. With frequently changing data and mandates as the pandemic progresses, The Tiger reached out to Lior Rennert, Lead Public Health Strategist at Clemson to answer some questions about the vaccine.
The Tiger: Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe?
Lior Rennert: Very safe. Prior to authorization, all vaccinations must go through three sets of rigorous clinical trials to assess both safety and effectiveness. Any vaccine that has a significant risk of severe side effects, or is not effective at preventing Covid-19 infection, does not get authorization. Furthermore, the safety of COVID-19 vaccines has been extensively studied among the roughly 200 million U.S. adults receiving a dose. The chances of severe side effects are extremely rare and practically negligible relative to the chances of COVID-19 hospitalization or death.
TT: Is the COVID-19 vaccine effective?
LR: Studies have shown that vaccines are extremely protective against COVID-19 infection, especially when it comes to preventing severe infection. Multiple studies have shown that unvaccinated individuals are approximately 20 times more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19.
TT: Is the COVID-19 vaccine effective against the Delta variant?
LR: Yes. Many studies have also shown that while vaccines may be slightly less effective at preventing mild infection from Delta, they are extremely effective at preventing severe infection. 
TT: Does the vaccine cause fertility or pregnancy issues?
LR: There is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines cause any problems with sperm count, fertility or pregnancy, including the development of the placenta.
TT: Will the COVID-19 vaccines change or interact with my DNA?
LR: Both mRNA and viral vector COVID-19 vaccines deliver instructions to our cells to start building protection against the virus that causes COVID-19. However, the material never enters the nucleus of the cell (where our DNA is kept). In an interview with Fox Carolina, I briefly explained how the vaccines work and why they are safe.
TT: Should I still get vaccinated if I previously had COVID-19?
LR: Because immunity from previous infection wanes over time, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccination regardless of whether you previously had a COVID-19 infection.
TT: Will the COVID-19 vaccine give me COVID-19?
LR: None of the COVID-19 vaccines in the US use the live virus that causes COVID-19. People can experience normal temporary symptoms within 24 hours of vaccination, including soreness on the arm (from injection) fever, headaches or muscle aches, and tiredness. These temporary symptoms are signs that your immune system is reacting and your body is building immunity.
TT: Does the COVID-19 vaccine contain microchips?
LR: Lol. No.
For additional information on vaccine safety and effectiveness visit the CDC’s website.

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Image courtesy of Clemson University

Clemson COVID Vaccine