COVID-19 update, Monday, March 1, 2021

All things Vaccine

EDITED to include additional information on adverse events associated with J&J.

1. Johnson and Johson's vaccine should soon be available somewhere near you. There are a couple of things to note here, first, the J&J vaccine is a one-dose vaccine with lower efficacy than Pfizer or Moderna. However, it is effective against the SA variant - and it is highly effective against hospitalization. J&J did also study a 2 shot option - that is still being worked on (dosing and timing and effectiveness) so it is possible the EUA will be amended to recommend 2 doses. The purpose of that would be to increase effectiveness. A post-hoc analysis found two COVID-related hospitalizations in the vaccine group and 29 in the placebo group after 14 days, with 0 (vaccine group) and 16 cases (placebo group) after 28 days. The vaccine is slightly less effective in those over 65 with underlying health conditions, specifically when there is more than one health issue. injection site pain was the most commonly reported adverse reaction in the vaccine group (49%), with headache (39%) and fatigue (38%) also being reported. These were most common among younger participants (as we also see with Pfizer and Moderna). There has been one reported severe allergic reaction. Just a reminder that each vaccine has its pros and cons so consider which one would be best for you. I have attached some snapshots below for comparison as well as a more detailed chart to help you see the differences between the vaccines. Note the pictures and chart below were completed before this post - so they are not quite as up-to-date as the post information.

EDITED portion: Here are the adverse events associated with the J&J vaccine as they now stand. "Three of seven serious adverse events in the vaccine group were considered vaccine-related, including one hypersensitivity reaction not classified as anaphylaxis, one severe injection site pain, and one severe systemic reactogenicity. As of Jan. 22, 19 deaths were reported -- three in the vaccine group and 16 in the placebo group. Two deaths in the vaccine group were secondary to respiratory infections unrelated to COVID-19, and one was in a participant with HIV. The third died of unknown causes after waking up with shortness of breath." You can read more here: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04505722

2. AstraZeneca's vaccine has not gotten approval in Switzerland. Each nation has its own review process and committees and Switzerland determined there was insufficient data and therefore did not grant approval for the AZ vaccine. They haven't ruled it out completely, they are just seeking more data from on-going clinical trials. Other European countries are also electing not to use the AZ vaccine in people over a certain age (the age depends on the country) but France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and Poland so far, are the nations not recommending it among older adults. Stay tuned for more on this.

3. Early research suggests the Pfizer vaccine not only prevents symptomatic COVID but asymptomatic spread as well-meaning if you got the Pfizer vaccine you may not be able to spread COVID. This is wonderful news. It is preliminary (so don't burn those masks just yet) but very promising.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Today is March 1st, a new week, a new month, and a new season. It is a day of new beginnings and of hope. One year ago we were just getting started on this journey. There was so much we didn't know and great tragedy to come, but now we are on the other side of that. Now we know better and we do better and we are better. Today is a new day and we start anew. Let hope fill your heart today. Dare to breathe deep and savor the fresh promise of spring. We cannot yet lay down our defenses and declare victory, but that day is coming. Today is a day of fresh new beginnings. Shake off the past and walk confidently into the future.

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