In my work as a primary care physician assistant, I regularly advocate to all patients that they get the COVID-19 vaccine. One question I am regularly asked: The C19 vaccine was rushed, how do I know its safe?
I think medicine in general struggles to explain complex subjects in a media environment where only sound bites are heard and only a few characters are read. Nuance and long explanations are difficult. So I want to be clear with my patients in my community: The COVID-19 vaccines are incredibly SAFE and are incredibly EFFECTIVE. If you have not gotten vaccinated yet, do not wait, GO GET VACCINATED.
Importantly, no steps in the approval or safety testing of these COVID vaccinations were skipped. Some steps were done at the same time in order to speed up the rigorous testing required. But none were skipped.
But Nick, most vaccines take years in order to be approved, how could these vaccines have been done so much faster?
When completing vaccine safety trials there are three limiting steps:
But with COVID-19 the entire world came together to research these vaccines as fast as safely possible: the governments of the world pooled resources, experts shared knowledge, and the incredible number of sick people and volunteers allowed vaccine trials to pro-ceed as quick as possible.
I always try to make the point that when exploring the safety of mRNA vaccines its important to separate the vaccine platform from the vaccine code. The platform is the HOW vaccines teach our immune systems to recognize and destroy a pathogen. The vaccine code is the WHAT we are teaching the body to fight the particular pathogen. These mRNA vaccine platforms have been around since the 1990s and are proven safe and effective (no, they cannot change your DNA, alter your fertility, or make you shed COVID proteins). We have mountains of research that this vaccine platform is safe.
Now, I appreciate that people are careful about what they put in their bodies. Truth be told I wish more people were more careful about what they consumed. My goal with this letter is to encourage people to think about these vaccines as a safe, simple, and effective way to reduce the chance of severe COVID or death. These vaccines are composed of a small snippet of RNA (the code a simple chain of sugar molecules), fat particles (ie polyethylene glycol a relative of Miralax), and buffers (ie sodium acetate found in IV fluids). These are all safe molecules.
A good analogy: Imagine there is a thug wandering around town threatening to beat you up. We take a picture of that thug. We show that picture to you, to your friends and family, and to law enforcement. We tell them: If this guy shows up, call the police. That way when the thug shows up at your door you, your friends and neighbors and the police are prepared to identify him and arrested him.
It is the same for the mRNA vaccine. The vaccines provide a blueprint to your immune system on how to make, recognize, and ultimately destroy the attack protein used by the SARS-CoV-2 virus (the coronavirus). You cannot get COVID-19 from the mRNA vaccine, but there is a great chance that if you later encounter the SARS-CoV-2 virus your bodys immune system will be prepared to recognize and destroy it.
In one year medical research went from design to trial to safe vaccine distribution a process very similar to influenza vaccine production. Again, this mRNA platform is the HOW we teach your bodys immune system to recognize and destroy the coronavirus. This platform has been around for 30-plus years and has been proven safe and effective. The code is the particular information and is what was tested thoroughly in 2020.
I want to say to my community again, clearly, with no hesitation or wavering: The mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are safe and are effective. They will help keep you from getting severe COVID, they will help keep you out of the hospital if you get COVID, and they will help reduce your chances of getting sick in the first place. If you have not gotten vaccinated, I urge you to get vaccinated now.
Nick Lawyer is a Physician Assistant and Provider Informaticist at Clark Fork Valley Hospital. He is also the Public Health Officer for Sanders County.
One of the biggest questions heading into the 2021-22 NBA season was if the league would require players to get vaccinated against COVID-19, and on Tuesday we got our answer. The league will not require vaccinations for players, according to Baxter Holmes and Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. The National Basketball Players Association has reportedly refused to budge from its stance against mandatory shots for players.
While players won't be required to get vaccinated, a vast majority already have been. Around 85 percent of the league's players are vaccinated, a league spokesman said recently, via the New York Times. Unvaccinated players will be subject to a much stricter set of health and safety protocols compared to their vaccinated peers. The league won't test fully-vaccinated players regularly this season,per Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Earlier this month, the league told teams that new local COVID-19 requirements in New York and San Francisco regarding vaccine requirements will be enforced for members of the teams in those cities -- Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks -- including players, unless there is an approved medical or religious exemption, per ESPN.
Unlike the players, NBA referees are required to be fully vaccinated for the upcoming season. Regarding referees, the league released the following statement:
The NBA announced today that it has reached an agreement with the National Basketball Referees Association requiring vaccinations for all referees working NBA games during the 2021-22 season.
The agreement specifies that all referees must be fully vaccinated unless they have a religious or medical exemption. The referees have also agreed to take any recommended boosters. Any referee who does not get vaccinated and is not exempt will be ineligible to work games.
In addition to referees, the league is requiring all team and arena personnel who regularly interact with players and referees to be vaccinated,per The Athletic's Shams Charania. That includes coaches, front-office members, medical and equipment staff, player development, team and arena security, social media team members, PR employees and those who work at the scorer's table.
It also includes any personnel who will work near the court, like broadcasters and photographers. Back-of-house team and arena operations will also be required to be vaccinated. The deadline for team personnel to be fully vaccinated is Oct. 1,per ESPN's Brian Windhorst and Tim Bontemps.
With a majority of the players and virtually all team and arena personnel vaccinated, the league is clearly hoping that it won't have to postpone nearly as many games as it did a season ago.
Sanford Health is offering several options to get the seasonal influenza (flu) vaccination. Patients will have the option to also get the COVID-19 vaccination at the same time.
Find a flu shot: Immunization clinics, events and appointments at Sanford Health
Drive-thru vaccination events will be offered to adults and children at the Fargodome in Fargo, North Dakota, on Saturday, Sept. 18, and Saturday, Oct. 2, from 9 a.m. to noon. Appointments are needed to control the flow of traffic. Patients must make an appointment by going to My Sanford Chart or by calling 1-877-701-0779. There will be multiple lanes for vehicles and those walking, biking or using public transportation.
Sanford will also host an indoor vaccination event at the Fargodome on Thursday, Sept. 30, from 5 to 7 p.m. Patients must make an appointment by going to My Sanford Chart or by calling 1-877-701-0779.
The nasal mist flu vaccine will not be available at the blitzes.
Sanford Southpointe Clinic, 2400 32ndAve. S., Fargo, is hosting a vaccination event for adults and children on Saturday, Oct. 9, and Saturday, Oct. 30, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Patients must make an appointment by going to My Sanford Chart or by calling 1-877-701-0779.
Flu vaccinations are now available at all Fargo metro Sanford primary care clinics by appointment only. In addition, all Sanford specialty care clinics are also offering vaccinations this year. Patients will be offered the flu vaccine during any regular Sanford visit. Patients must make an appointment by going to My Sanford Chart or by calling 1-877-701-0779.
The nasal mist flu vaccine will not be available at the vaccination events.
COVID-19 vaccines will also be available the same time as the flu vaccinations. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is available for individuals 12 years of age and older. The second dose of the vaccine should be received 21 days after the first dose. Patients will be asked to wear face masks and follow social distancing guidelines. If you dont have a face mask, Sanford will provide one for you.
For more information on how to get a flu shot, visit sanfordhealth.org/flu.
Everyone ages 6 months and older should get a flu vaccination annually to reduce the risk of becoming ill with influenza or transmitting it to others. Certain groups are at higher risk and are strongly recommended to receive the vaccination:
To prevent transmission to high-risk populations, vaccination is also recommended for:
Posted In Coronavirus, Fargo, Flu, Immunizations, News
The UN agencyis urging everycountry to vaccinate at least 40% of its population by the end of thisyear, andhopes to help ensure that70% of the worlds populationisby the middle of next year.
At a press conference on COVID-19and vaccine equity in Africa,which is home to more than 1.2 billion people,Mr.Ghebreyesusinformed that, so far,justtwocountries in Africa have reached the 40% target, the lowest of any region.
Thats not because African countries dont have the capacity or experience to roll out COVID-19 vaccines. Its because they've been left behind by the rest of the world,"he said.
Mr.Ghebreyesusexplainedthat this leaves people at high risk of diseaseanddeath,exposed to a deadly virus against which many other people around theworldenjoy protection."
For him, the longer vaccine inequity persists, the morethe virus will keep circulatingandchanging,the longer the socialandeconomic disruption will continue,andthe higher the chances that more variants will emerge that render vaccines less effective.
To avoid this situation, last yearWHOpartnered with UNICEF,CEPI, GAVIand others to createCOVAX.So far,the initiativehas shipped more than 260 million doses to 141 countries.
Mr.Ghebreyesuspointed to severalchallenges, with manufacturers prioritizing bilateral deals and many high-income countries tying up the global supply ofshots.
He also highlighted a similar initiative,establishedby theAfricanUnion, theCOVID-19 Vaccine Acquisition Task Team, known asAVAT.
This Monday and Tuesday, WHO representatives met with the leaders of AVAT to agree on a way forward, Mr.Ghebreyesussaid: Vaccine inequity is a solvable problem."
Hecalled onmanufacturers to prioritize COVAX and AVAT. Tocountrieswithhigh coverage levels, he asked them toswap their near-termvaccinesdeliveries,fulfil their dose-sharing pledges immediately,andfacilitate the sharing of technology.
TheWHO chief also calledon all countries and manufacturers to share information onbilateral deals,supplyanddelivery projectionsand torecognize all vaccines withaWHO Emergency Use Listing.
The AfricanUnions Special Envoy for COVID-19,Strive Masiyiwa,also participated in the briefing, alongsidethedirector of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention,JohnNkengasong,theUnder-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa,VeraSongwe, and WHO Regional Director for Africa,MatshidisoMoeti, among others.
Prince William County Schools to decide COVID-19 vaccine, testing policy
Prince William County Schools employees could soon be required to get vaccinated against covid-19 or submit to weekly testing.
MANASSAS, Va. - Prince William County School employees could soon be required to get vaccinated against COVID-19 or submit to weekly testing.
Download the FOX 5 DC News App for Local Breaking News and Weather
The school board is scheduled to meet Wednesday to discuss and vote on a resolution.
The resolution states that all current PWCS employees - including teachers - must disclose their vaccine status by November 1. All new workers would be required to disclose their vaccination status within 30 days of hire. Anyone not fully vaccinated or those who refuse to disclose their vaccine status would be required to undergo weekly COVID-19 testing.
"Whereas, it is the highest priority of the Prince William County School Board to open its schools for in-person learning while protecting the health and safety of students and staff, and in order to do so, it is necessary to require all PWCS officials, employees, and those persons providing services who have direct contact with PWCS students to be vaccinated," read part of the resolution.
Hispanic community leaders in western Washington say Latinx are lagging behind in vaccination numbers and they hope to turn that around.
SEATTLE Sept. 15 marks the start of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Several celebrations are kicking off the first week, but some community leaders said its also an opportunity to get members of the Hispanic and Latinx community protected against COVID-19.
As of Wednesday, around 65% of King Countys Hispanic and Latinx population age 12 and older is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to Public Health Seattle and King County data. Nearly 79% of eligible King County residents ages 12 and up have completed their vaccination series, the data shows.
Out of the 181,000 people in the countys Hispanic and Latinx population, a little more than 60,000 are still not fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to the departments data as of Sept. 15.
The well-known annual celebration Sea Mar Fiestas Patrias has a virtual celebration set for Saturday, Sept. 18, followed by an event focused on fitness and health the next day. The event on Sept. 19, will host a COVID-19 vaccine clinic, offering both first and second doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
We are using our Fiestas Patrias celebrations to attract them, to vaccinate them, and to have a healthy exercise, said Jorge Madrazo, chairman of Sea Mar Fiestas Patrias. Latinos are overrepresented in the unvaccinated community. This is pretty concerning, and we want to invite once again our people to get the vaccine. We need to convince them that this is the way to be safe and healthy.
The virtual event Saturday at noon will feature cultural representations from Mexico, Peru, El Salvador and Guatemala. You can watch the virtual event by clicking here.
Sundays in-person fitness and health fair will offer people the chance to try all skill levels of Zumba classes while also receiving general health education and a COVID-19 vaccine. This event runs from noon to 5 p.m. at Sea Mar Community Center, located at 9635 Des Moines Memorial Dr. South in Seattle.
Breaking barriers
A spokesperson for Public Health Seattle and King County told KING 5 that some social and economic barriers to the COVID-19 vaccine remain even as the team has hosted or supported nearly 100 community vaccination events since March, all geared toward BIPOC and immigrant communities.
Getting time off from work to get a COVID-19 shot is among the barriers the public health department said might stand in the way of Hispanic or Latinx community members getting vaccinated. The department said this community also tends to be younger than the community at large and may not have equal access to health care, which is a result of systemic racism and bias.
The county health department said it is continuing several vaccination events throughout the area.
The next events geared specifically for the Hispanic and Latinx community are scheduled for Sept. 24 at Lake Burien Presbyterian Church and Sept. 25 at the Auburn Health Fair.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas A surprising number of people in our state aren't getting the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Doctors say one dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine isn't enough protection.
Numbers from the Texas Department of State Health Services show:
"I know too many people who have passed away because of this disease," Corpus Christi resident Cindy Reyes said. "And it's heartbreaking. And i don't understand why people won't get it."
If you missed your second dose, some doctors say that even three or four months between shots still can provide effective protection to battle COVID-19.
Scientists are thinking about the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines in two main ways. The first is at the level of the immune response, which is mainly being measured by antibody levels.
When people just look at antibody levels and say that theres waning, I think thats a little bit problematic and it doesnt really capture what the immune response normally does, said Deepta Bhattacharya, a professor of immunobiology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine.
In almost every type of immune response, he explained that immune cells produce an initial wave of antibodies early after vaccination. Immunologists say that the quality of those antibodies at the beginning is pretty poor.
He said this response is thought to be a way of generating a lot of antibodies to try and keep things under control at the beginning. Then those antibodies are gradually replaced by a fewer number of high-quality antibodies, ones able to stick to the virus better.
If you just look at the total antibody levels, it looks like they decline, he said. But you dont really lose a proportionate amount of protection, because those poor antibodies are being replaced by better ones.
Even if the virus does manage to slip past the antibodies, the immune system is much better prepared to deal with it. He said that other memory immune cells quickly make a whole bunch of additional antibodies and kill any virally-infected cells.
All of these different layers of defense, he said, cooperate to keep the virus under control.
The second way that scientists are evaluating vaccine effectiveness is by examining the overall number of COVID cases, the rate of infection and the rate of vaccination.
But when assessing vaccination rates, its important to consider the entire population that is susceptible to disease, not just those who are eligible for the vaccine, said Dr. Francesca Torriani, a professor of medicine in the infectious diseases division at the University of California San Diego.
BROOKINGS, S.D. (KELO) Getting a COVID-19 vaccine in Brookings could earn you some big money.
The city of Brookings says its giving away $50,000 in COVID-19 vaccine incentives along with $10,000 in scholarships. Prizes include 10 $5,000 cash prizes as well as 10 $1,000 scholarships to South Dakota State University students.
To be eligible, you must be a legal resident of the United States and be a resident of Brookings County or be currently enrolled at South Dakota State University and living in Brookings County.
You need to be at least 12-years-old or a parent of a minor must complete the registration. You can enter the contest by receiving one dose or double your chances if you become fully vaccinated.
More official rules and regulations can be found on the contests website.
Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.
Miss Flavia went first, in March.
Some of her staff were ready to go next. One teacher, 22-year-old Mishelle Acosta, said she didnt care that her parents opposed the coronavirus vaccine, and got jabbed.
But not every employee at Houstons Museum District Child Care Center was as eager. Some of the other 15 women working there had questions about the vaccines potential side effects, its effectiveness, whether it was adequately tested during its rushed production and if it caused pregnancy complications.
Weeks passed, the vaccine became more widely available and more employees got inoculated.
They started seeing that we were getting vaccinated and we didnt turn into zombies, said Flavia Souza, director of the child care center, which cares for roughly 70 children ages 2 through 5.
But some were not ready. Issa Arevalo, a 24-year-old teacher, said she hesitated because I just felt like there wasnt enough research [on the vaccines].
The centers owners discussed requiring employees to be vaccinated. Some large businesses in other states were making the same calculation, weighing the health benefits of vaccination for staff and customers against individual freedoms and the difficulty of finding new employees during an ongoing labor shortage.
By August, national companies including Disney, Facebook, Google and Tyson Foods announced that their employees must show proof of vaccination or potentially submit to regular testing. That same month, United Airlines said its U.S. employees must be vaccinated by October, while Delta Airlines said unvaccinated employees have to pay $200 per month to remain on the companys health plan.
But in Texas, where the fast-spreading delta variant has flooded hospitals with COVID-19 patients, large companies, including American Airlines and Southwest Airlines, are strongly encouraging employees to get the vaccine, but not requiring it.
One large Texas hospital system Houston Methodist announced a vaccine mandate for its massive workforce this spring. After strong resistance by some employees including a lawsuit that was later dismissed 153 employees who refused to be vaccinated by the June deadline resigned or were fired.
But mandates have been the exception for businesses in Texas, where Gov. Greg Abbott banned government entities from requiring employees to be vaccinated and signed a bill that will punish businesses that require customers to show proof of vaccination. Violators are cut off from getting state contracts and risk losing their state licenses or permits. When two Austin restaurants last month required customers to show proof of vaccination, the state threatened to revoke their liquor licenses.
Abbott also has banned local governments from enacting measures intended to slow the spread of the virus like government vaccine mandates. Cities, counties and school districts in the states major urban areas have responded with lawsuits challenging Abbotts order and many have defied it.
It kind of comes from our governor and politicians, Souza said. Theyre the ones setting the rules and setting the examples. I feel like a lot of people would be more strict on the vaccine if they had more support from [political leaders].
Dr. Vivian Ho, health economist at Rice University, said businesses are generally wary of entering a political conflict, and whether to require vaccination has become a heated argument.
Government holds the purse strings, Ho said. Businesses are affected by all sorts of decisions by government, and Abbott and the state government control their taxes and all sorts of regulations they can dramatically harm [businesses].
By May, at least 13 of the 16 staffers at the child care center were vaccinated. That was an encouraging development women of color make up most of the center's workforce, and according to state health data, about 42% of Hispanic women and 34% of Black women are fully vaccinated, compared to 48% of all Texans. While Souza and the centers owners decided not to require vaccination at that point, Souza made it her mission to convince them to do it voluntarily.
The first step was to educate them, she said.
Parents with children at the child care center said that theyve seen other centers close during the pandemic, but Museum District Child Care has stayed open its running at capacity. Only once did the center close during the pandemic right after Februarys winter freeze, when Souza and a few others at the center contracted the virus and they closed the facility for a week.
Miss Flavia and the team were really good about communicating the protocols they had in place, very clean and clear, said Sehban Zaidi, who has a 2-year-old at the child care center.
Souza implemented temperature checks and mask mandates for employees and sent regular safety protocol updates to parents, who were no longer allowed inside the building they must drop off and pick up their children at the front door.
But Souza made an exception for one parent, giving him a special invitation to the facility this spring.
Some days Souza chatted about the pandemic with Doug Litwin as he picked up his 2-year-old son Alex. Litwin works in data intelligence in health care and has a Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology.
I have read more about the history and science behind vaccines than the average person, Litwin said.
Souza thought her staff could benefit from listening to Litwin and asking him questions. So she invited Litwin to come to the facility on a Saturday when no children were there, only staff.
All people 12 and older are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in Texas. Children ages 12-17 can get the Pfizer vaccine, but COVID-19 vaccines are not mandatory for Texas students.
State and local health officials say that vaccine supply is healthy enough to meet demand across much of Texas. Most chain pharmacies and many independent ones have a ready supply of the vaccine, which is administered free and mainly on a walk-in basis. Many private doctors' offices also have it. And you can check current lists of large vaccine hubs that are still operating here.Public health departments also have vaccines. You can register with the Texas Public Health Vaccine Scheduler either online or by phone. And businesses or civic organizations can set up their vaccine clinics to offer it to employers, visitors, customers or members.
Yes. Medical experts recommend that people who have had COVID-19 should still get the vaccine. If someones treatment included monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma, they should talk to their doctor before scheduling a vaccine appointment. The CDC recommends that people who received those treatments should wait 90 days before getting the vaccine.
Yes. Health experts and public officials widely agree that the vaccine is safe. The three currently approved vaccine manufacturers Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson reported their vaccines are 95%, 94% and 72% effective, respectively, at protecting people from serious illness. While no vaccine is without side effects, clinical trials for Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson show serious reactions are rare.
He came and talked for like two hours, she said. Educating them, how the virus works, how the vaccine works, how the vaccine helps. Because it was very new. But he brought flyers for them, answered their questions and their concerns.
With vaccine misinformation exploding through social media, Litwin offered a familiar face for employees and spoke clearly and with authority, they said. He explained why the vaccine is safe and why he trusted it.
People dont know what to believe any more, Litwin said. I have more years of scientific training than anyone should ever have and its hard for me to figure out whats going on online sometimes. I understand the fear.
Arevalo, still unvaccinated at that point, had questions about whether the vaccine would lead to issues down the road with pregnancy or infertility.
Litwin said he has seen no evidence that getting inoculated now would negatively impact pregnancy or childbirth later on. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends COVID-19 vaccination for all people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future.
I would give it to my sons right away if it was approved for kids, Litwin said.
Acosta and Arevalo have been friends for years and both got jobs at the child care center late last year. As the vaccines rolled out in December, they eventually found an apartment and became roommates.
Acosta quickly got the vaccine after Texas officials announced in the first week of March that teachers and child care workers were eligible. Arevalo said she wasnt in a rush. She never opposed it, she said. She was just skeptical. Her friend understood her hesitation.
We did have a lot of teachers that were concerned because, you know, they werent sure what it was that they were going to be putting in their bodies, Acosta said.
After listening to Litwin speak to the staff, Arevalo started thinking more about whether she should get vaccinated. Then she received news that helped push her to get the shot.
After her family moved to a different area of Houston in 2011, Arevalo grew close with their new neighbor the mother of one of her classmates. Arevalo said she would often go over to the womans house for dinner, and she became like my second mom ... We got very, very close.
Last winter, Arevalo learned that the neighbor had been hospitalized with COVID-19. She spent weeks in the hospital.
She ended up passing away in April, Arevalo said, wiping tears from her eyes. After that, I got the vaccine right away.
By May, only a few employees remained unvaccinated. The owners and Souza told the staff that vaccinated employees would no longer be required to wear a mask at work.
We were all ready to do away with the masks, said teacher Ann Scroggins.
I dont remember exactly how many were left, Souza said. But there were the last few who went to get the vaccine once we dropped the mask mandate if youre vaccinated.
Educating them in a comfortable environment was key, she said. So was the example she and others set by getting vaccinated first, showing that safety was critical especially in a job working with young children who are especially vulnerable to the new delta variant.
Now, as Souza looks to hire a couple more employees, COVID-19 vaccination is required for the job. With the recent surge in cases, employees are all required to wear masks again at work.
So far during the latest surge, the center hasnt had a single positive case.
Darla Cameron contributed to this report.
Disclosure: Facebook, Google and Rice University have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.
Join us Sept. 20-25 at the 2021 Texas Tribune Festival. Tickets are on sale now for this multi-day celebration of big, bold ideas about politics, public policy and the days news, curated by The Texas Tribunes award-winning journalists. Learn more.
