COVID-19 Update: Monday, December 14th

Vaccine news,

1. The Pfizer vaccine has begun its roll-out after receiving CDC approval over the weekend. Unlike the UK, the CDC says the vaccine is safe for those with prior history of severe allergic reactions. Their advice is for those who have had severe allergic reactions to prior injections to discuss it with their doctors and to be monitored for 30 minutes after getting the vaccine. They do not include any concerns for people with severe food allergies or latex allergies. The vaccine consists only of messenger RNA and four lipid nanoparticles. There are no preservatives or any other ingredients. The nanoparticles are common in other injections so people who have had an adverse response to other injections should discuss that with their doctor before getting the vaccine.

2. Every state had to file a COVID-19 vaccine roll-out plan to the CDC. You can find your state's plan by visiting this site to find out when the vaccine may be available to you. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/12/07/state-covid-19-vaccine-distribution-plans-links-all-50/6481199002/

3. 32% (or 1/3) of people who test positive for COVID are still experiencing symptoms 6 weeks later. The most common symptoms that seem to linger include fatigue, shortness of breath, and a loss of taste or smell.

4. New research suggests that females who take multivitamins, vitamin D, omega-3, or probiotic supplements may have a lower risk of developing COVID-19. This was a study out of the UK and was based on self-reporting. The results were small but significant. This is not solid enough to be a sure thing but encouraging.

5. I know I have said this but I want to share it again just to avoid surprises. With the Pfizer vaccine, we are seeing some people feel pretty bad after receiving the second shot in the series. That should only last 24-48 hours. It takes 7 days after the second shot before you are immune - so people should not stop wearing masks prematurely. The vaccine has not been proven to stop asymptomatic cases - so it may still be possible to contract and spread COVID once vaccinated. We do not know how long immunity will last. That is determined by testing people intermittently after they develop immunity. Thus far we have done 2-month testing and vaccine recipients were immune at 2 months. Determining how long immunity will last takes time.

FINAL THOUGHTS: As we progress ever closer to this whole experience drawing to an end, the need for these updates becomes less and less. I will continue to do them until this is all done, but they will become progressively less frequent. Right now, we are learning more about the virus but not things that are substantial to your everyday living. The vaccine has rolled out so any major information associated with the Pfizer vaccine I will certainly relay to you, as well as any updates with the other vaccines as that information becomes more available. But we may not have enough for updates 3x a week anymore, which is really really good news. As always I am always available for questions but it isn't it wonderful that the need for these updates is dwindling? Stay vigilant but rest easy because there is hope.