COVID-19 Update: Friday, March 26th

AZ and blood clots, numbers, the media and

1. I want to tackle Astra-Zeneca and blood clots. There is a lot we don't know, but based on what we do know, the AZ vaccine does seem to be connected to an increased risk of blood clots. The specific clots (CVST) (there are different types) refers to clots that form in the veins that drain the brain. This can lead to a hemorrhage or stroke. It is very rare but has a high risk of fatality. There have been 17 cases of CVST after the administration of 20 million doses of the AZ vaccine. Evidence is strong enough to suggest a causal effect. The chances are very small for any individual person (0.0000009 - or about 1 in a million) but for that one person, the risk is very real. Women under 55 are at the highest risk. The current hypothesis (which early evidence supports) is that it is an autoimmune issue. Therefore individuals with autoimmune disorders may have a higher risk (autoimmune disorders are more common among women due to physiology - the XX chromosome). Again, this is all still being studied across multiple nations so new information may radically change what we know. Worth mentioning is that a very small number of individuals have also developed blood clots after receiving their first dose of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Those were a different type of clot (ITP) and were less common than what is being seen with the AZ vaccine, but still a known risk. A couple of important bits of information to know: a) clotting is actually a risk with most vaccines, (typically ITP clots) b) research is ongoing, c) current indicators are that the clot will develop within 16 days of vaccination, d)For HCP's In the event of a CVST, treatment would need to include a nonheparin anticoagulant. As a reminder, AZ is not yet approved for use in the US.

2. A recent study showed that the media in the US is leaning toward reporting the negative COVID news even when positive news is available. So as you read/hear the news just keep that in mind.

3. There has been some talk about the numbers and that they are increasing in some areas. I want to provide you a couple of tools to use as you monitor numbers in your area. Generally speaking, daily fluctuations should not be concerning to you. There are lots of reasons we see daily fluctuations, what you want to watch is the weekly numbers. Two weeks of increased numbers is an indication that we are trending the wrong way. From a national perspective, we are moving in the right direction - chart below. I am working on state charts so you can see how your state is doing - I will have those next week.

4. A study out of Denmark says getting COVID provides around 80% protection from getting it again within 5 months. Immunity is believed to last around 7-8 months. This is lower for those over 65 (47% protection). You can read that study here https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00575-4/fulltext

FINAL THOUGHTS: Friday has finally arrived and I couldn't be more pleased to see it. I am reminded today that there is great suffering around the world, suffering created by COVID of course, but also suffering that has nothing at all to do with it. I look around and I see people who are grieving, people who are angry and frustrated and sad. I am reminded that hurting people hurt people. So as we head into the weekend I want to challenge you to do two things. First, give yourself a break. Be kind to yourself and step away from the angry, judgmental posts of social media. Do something fun. Relax. Renew. Put away your cape this weekend and just let yourself be.

Second, don't add to anyone else's anguish. Maybe you can't say or do anything to relieve their suffering, but we can vow not to add to it. Lastly, I just want to thank you for all that you have done over the last year. All the times you held your tongue. All the times you shared truth and light and love instead of anger or misinformation. All the times you walked away when you didn't want to. Thank you for doing your part to make the world just a little better and a little brighter.