Some Americans aren't in a rush to get a COVID-19 vaccine; experts understand but say there's no need to wait

“Historically with a vaccine, the terrible (serious adverse events) that we’re always worried about actually present themselves in a matter of weeks,” Djavaherian, an ER doctor who leads the pandemic response at Carbon Health, a national primary and urgent care provider. “We’re not seeing that type of spike ... in the weeks we see people taking the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.”

Experts say Americans should feel confident in the vaccines now based on the data. The U.S Food and Drug Administration released a 53-page evaluation that confirmed the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is highly effective and safe.

Another 54-page FDA evaluation also confirmed Moderna’s vaccine is safe and effective. It is likely to be authorized Friday by the FDA.

Tracking the COVID vaccine:Where’s the COVID-19 vaccine? Who’s been vaccinated? Here's how we'll know.

“Your chances of getting sick or dying is much greater going to the grocery store than going to get a vaccine,” said Barry Bloom, research professor of public health and former dean of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Bloom acknowledged, however, that most Americans have not read the 107 pages of safety data and will need to see the results in “real life” outside clinical trials.