Vaccines and Variants
Top of Mind – Vaccines and Variants
Vaccines
Johnson and Johnson’s vaccine has strong efficacy with a single dose, but at 72% it is not as effective as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. Like its predecessors, the J&J shot effectiveness drops to 57% against the South African variant. J&J will submit their vaccine to FDA for review likely next week leading to possible approval by the end of February.
Vaccine production is slow. Why? Many reasons. Vaccine yield from the production process is less than expected and those same facilities are requiring upgrades to meet demand, supply chain difficulties occur regularly, and distribution and administration is fraught with uncertainty.
A positive reminder: It is still amazing to have multiple COVID vaccines in less than a year.
Variants – B.1.1.7 (UK), B.1.351 (SA), P.1 (Brazil)
The UK variant is not yet raging, but its increasing presence in 24 US states is concerning. This strain could push us into another surge by March, according to CDC. However, both vaccines are effective against the UK variant.
The South African variant, against which vaccines are less effective, is now in South Carolina. The TWO cases have no known travel to South Africa and no connection to each other.
What about Spring Break?
Friends, Mexico is the wrong kind of party right now. They are in a world of hurt. I hesitate traveling to Mexico when we’re not in a pandemic. CANCEL those plans. It is not wise or responsible. When you travel internationally, you not only take disease with you, you bring it back. We have enough variants to deal with right now.
If you choose to travel internationally, there is now a testing requirement (and post travel quarantine and retest recommendation) for return to the US.
If you want to break away, DRIVE, DISTANCE from others, keep to yourselves.
Questions about the vaccine
I’ve received a lot of these lately. Yes, the vaccines are safe. Yes, they are VERY effective – perhaps the most effective tool we have again COVID-19 outside of complete withdrawal from society.
What about side effects?
More often with the second dose than the first, half report fatigue, 25-33% report headaches, chills, and muscle pain.
What about allergies or anaphylaxis?
The rate of allergic reaction to these vaccines is 11.1 cases per million doses. To put that in perspective, the rate of anaphylaxis from penicillin drugs is between 1 per 2,500 – 5,000. All patients who experienced anaphylaxis recovered, and all vaccine administration sites are required to have epinephrine and other emergency supplies.
If you have concerns about your allergies and whether to get the vaccine, contact your primary care provider.
Schools
I realize the Iowa Legislature and even the new President are requiring or advocating for in-person school. The Legislature, in its infinite wisdom, is soon requiring a five-day option. The President is pressing for this change WHEN CERTAIN CONDITIONS EXIST. In Iowa, it is now up to parents to decide. Our school boards have done everything they can to protect our educators and students.
The following are the SIX pillars for SAFE, in-person school:
1) Mask wearing while in school, always, except when eating or drinking
2) Social distancing in school buildings
3) Rapid case identification – parents – it’s up to you to test your child when COVID-19 is even suspected, AND to isolate and quarantine.
4) Contact tracing
5) Extensive routine cleaning
6) Community case burden (see CDC indicators for risk of COVID-19 in schools link)
The last part – LOW COMMUNITY SPREAD. Iowa hasn’t had low community spread since June. I know Iowa schools are trying. We all must continue to do our part.
What happens to kids who get COVID-19?
Most infections are mild; however, children and teens are at risk for serious outcomes from COVID-19 infection.
· Rarely, a condition called Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C). Iowa reports between 11-30 cases; there are >1600 nationally.
· Heart inflammation, possibly scaring, and in teen athletes. The extent to which this occurs is being studied. This is my biggest concern for my own teen athlete.
· Cognitive challenges in recovery. Adults often report “brain fog” in COVID-19 recovery. A similar outcome is being reported for teens.
References in order of mention:
https://www.nytimes.com/.../covid-vaccine-johnson-and...
https://www.cdc.gov/.../2019-ncov/transmission/variant.html
https://www.cdc.gov/.../testing-international-air...
https://www.nytimes.com/.../covid-vaccine-questions.html...
https://www.cdc.gov/.../schools-childcare/indicators.html...
https://www.cdc.gov/mis-c/cases/index.html
https://jamanetwork.com/.../jamacardi.../fullarticle/2768916
https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jcmg.2020.10.023
Be safe and stay healthy .