True story, my 13 year old son was in the Pfizer study. My wife and I asked him if he was interested in being in the study last December but we didn't put any pressure on him. He decided to participate because he wanted to help the community. Proud parenting moment.
Of course, with randomization and blinding, we don't know if he received the active vaccine or sham placebo injection. He did have a modest reaction to it, as he felt sick and ran a low grade fever. He believed he got the real thing. But I know that there is such thing as a "nocebo effect," so I wasn't completely convinced.
Fast forward to last Thursday, he can't go to school because his entire class is quarantined due to a "staff member" who was symptomatic with +Covid test. They weren't allowed can't come back for 10 days. It caused my son to miss 2 events where he was slated to receive awards and also miss his flag football game last weekend. He got tested today and the result is negative, so he can play this weekend. If we knew for sure he received the active vaccine he would've been fine to play.
Now, the announcement of EUA expansion of the Pfizer vaccine to his age group, thanks in part to my son wanting to help the community. As proud as I am, I'm still pissed off at the staff member who could've avoided this BS if he/she cared about the community as much as my son does. Am I wrong to feel this way?
PS We expect that they will unblind the study very soon. According to the study nurse, if he got placebo, he will be among the very first in line to get the real thing.