What is everyone saying about the COVID-19 Vaccine?
Now that the vaccine for the novel corona virus seems to be on our doorsteps, the bigger question that seems to have appeared is, ‘How many are actually willing to take this vaccine?’
There are currently two COVID-19 vaccines that appear to be highly effective and are awaiting Food and Drug Administration approval. The first was created by pharmaceutical company Pfizer and its partner BioNTech, has reported being 95% effective. The second vaccine was created by the biotech company Moderna Inc. and is 94.5% effective, according to an analysis of its clinical trial.
What are the healthcare workers saying?
There is wide spread news about the vaccine to be first made available to the healthcare workers and for people with acute care needs, which includes the elderly and the people living in nursing homes and other long-care facilities. It makes sense: Getting a safe, effective vaccine by the healthcare workers not just keep their patients healthy but would also set an example for others in the community.
But the speed of COVID-19 vaccine development, the controversies surrounding its development; along with concerns about political interference, has left some health care workers on the fence about COVID-19 vaccines.
I conducted a survey among healthcare workers worldwide, using a social media platform and the responses I found to this question were frankly mixed in opinion. While about 70% of the healthcare workers expressed skeptism about the vaccine; there were about 30% who said, they had seen “How people suffered and died from COVID, and were keen to protect their families and loved ones from this deadly virus. If that meant, taking a vaccine, then, why not?” wrote a nurse on an anonymous note.
Another nurse said, “As a home health nurse, on the front lines of this epidemic, I want the maximum amount of protection for my family and loved ones and even for my community for public health reasons; I am all for it”.
Those who felt strongly against the vaccine said they were willing to give up their profession if the vaccine ever became mandatory. “I will leave healthcare. I’m not interested in this vaccine with the “new science”. One spoke.
“I’m not interested in the RNA vaccines, but would rather wait for the non-RNA vaccines coming out after. If RNA vaccines are mandatory, I would seriously consider quitting.” Was another popular opinion.
“They failed miserably with PPE (personal protective equipment) and testing and now I am not willing to be a guinea pig for the vaccine,” one friend who works in COVID ICU sadly said.
Then there was a third group of healthcare workers, who felt they had a ‘ethical responsibility towards the community’ and need to set a ‘good example’ for ‘responsible behaviors’. This vaccine along with other responsible social distancing behaviors will be a huge ‘milestone’ in developing ‘herd immunity’ which will ultimately be an essential solution to the problem.
What are the COVID-19 vaccine trial volunteers saying?
“I had the first injection on Aug. 10 and the second on Sept. 9. After the first one, I felt tired and run down that evening; the day after the second injection, I had a fever and felt extremely fatigued and disoriented for several hours”. “But by late afternoon I felt much better “said a respondent before adding, “ My wife volunteered for the vaccine, too”.
Another candidate said he felt chills, had a fever of 101 degrees for about 8 hours; a pounding headache and shortness of breath. He also said, he had a sever aching pain in his arm where he had taken the second shot.
Although the reactions of the trial vaccine were different for different individuals, most of them endorsed experiencing fever, chills, fatigue and sometimes headaches, which all lasted from a few hours to a day or two. Many even recommend planning to take a day off from work or school following the vaccine administration.
“I’d rather put up with a few days of discomfort rather than being in the hospital with COVID” said a respondent. Others who did not experience any dramatic later”.
A research study conducted on Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 trial suggests that people belonging to age groups 18-55 noted fatigue (75%), headache (67%), chills (33%), muscle pain (25%), fever (17%), and joint pain (17%).
What are the manufacturers saying?
Primary efficacy analysis demonstrates BNT162b2 to be 95% effective against COVID-19 beginning 28 days after the first dose; with efficacy being consistent across age, gender, race and ethnicity demographics. With populations aged 65 years of age or over, efficacy was over 94%. Says Pfizer, one of the manufacturers of the vaccine.
What is the CDC saying?
According to the information given on CDC website, the COVID-19 vaccines currently being considered and tested in the United States do not use the live virus that actually causes COVID-19. These vaccines will not cause you to test positive for COVID, however, due to the desired immune response, one may test positive on some antibody tests following the vaccine.
Debunking the popular myth:
Will the vaccine alter a person’s DNA?
mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid) is not able to alter or modify a person’s genetic makeup (DNA), simply because it never actually enters the nucleus of the cell which is where the DNA lie. Instead, the vaccines that use mRNA work with the body’s natural defenses to safely develop immunity to the disease.
Who should not take the vaccine?
Currently, COVID-19 vaccine will not likely be offered to:
- Pregnant Women
- Children under age 18
- Patients with previous severe allergic reactions to certain medications
This is because currently little is known about the vaccines effects on children, pregnant women or their babies. There is also no sufficient research on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines for lactating mothers.
COVID-19 vaccination also might not be recommended for people with certain health conditions. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about getting the vaccine.
The role of the healthcare workers involved in administering the vaccine:
Clinicians and the healthcare workers administering the vaccine should be willing and ready to discuss with patients why they should trust the vaccine while warning them on its potential side effects. Since the symptoms can largely mimic the actual disease, there is concern among some researchers about whether the people who experienced symptoms after the first dose will actually come back for their second appointment. It should be explained in clear terms that fatigue, headache, chills, muscle pain, and fever are normal, reactogenic immune responses and a sign that the vaccine is working. They should be prepared to take time off work following the vaccine in case the reactions develop.
Is it safe to stop taking safety precautions after getting a COVID-19 vaccine?
At the present time, it is vastly unknown about the protection that a COVID-19 vaccine provides and how long immunity lasts. However, until a certain certain level of herd immunity is established; CDC recommends following these precautions for avoiding infection with the COVID-19 virus:
- Social Distancing. Continue social distancing even after taking the vaccine. KIt kis too early to let down our guard yet.
- Masks and face coverings to continue.
- Practice good hygiene and teach hygienic practices to your children. Practice hand hygiene. Teach your children to wash for at least 20-30 secs and use a hand sanitizer when hands are not visibly soiled. Practice the elbow sneeze. Throw away the used tissue. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth frequently. Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces regularly.
- Stay home if you’re sick. Stay home from work, school and public areas if you’re sick, unless you’re going to get medical care.
References:
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-12-line-covid-vaccine-health-workers.html
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2773790
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/vaccine-benefits/facts.html
Hoping the very best for every patient and their families affected by this virus.
Thank you
Thank you for the interesting read and perspective!
Thank you