COVID-19 Update: Wednesday, December 9th

More vaccine information and combatting misinformation.

I thought I would continue my coverage on the vaccine either providing info, answering questions, or addressing misinformation.

1. Can the COVID-19 vaccine make people more vulnerable to HIV? First, it is important to remember there is more than one vaccine candidate, so when you start hearing "the vaccine" you need to find out "which one?" Because they are not all the same. Some of the vaccines still in development use a "base" called adenovirus-5. Adenovirus-5 is suspected of increasing the risk of contracting HIV in vulnerable populations. NONE of the viruses currently being considered in the US (meaning Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson) use Adenovirus-5. AstraZeneca uses an adenovirus but it is not the one in question - it is one that is well known to be safe. Also worth noting adenovirus-5 does not cause HIV, it increases risk among those already vulnerable. There is a move to get those particular vaccines removed from the option pool.

2. Is the COVID-19 vaccine made from aborted babies? Fetal cells derived from elective abortions are used to manufacture some vaccines, including the vaccines for rubella, chickenpox, hepatitis A, and shingles. They have also been used to make approved drugs against diseases including hemophilia, rheumatoid arthritis, and cystic fibrosis. These cells come from cells lines of two fetuses - one aborted in the 70's and one in the 80's. Neither was aborted for these purposes. Of the leading COVID vaccines the US is currently considering (again, Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and J&J) both AstraZeneca and J&J use fetal cells, Pfizer and Moderna do not. You can read more about this issue here: https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/06/abortion-opponents-protest-covid-19-vaccines-use-fetal-cells

3. The UK began giving the Pfizer vaccine yesterday and 2 individuals experienced severe allergic reactions. They are now advising people who are prone to allergic reactions not to get the vaccine. Specifically, they state, "any person with a significant allergic reaction to a vaccine, medicine or food -- such as previous history of anaphylactoid reaction, or those who have been advised to carry an adrenaline autoinjector -- should not receive the Pfizer/BioNtech vaccine." They also advise, the vaccines "should only be carried out in facilities where resuscitation measures are available." It is very important to understand all the vaccine options and select the option that is right for you.

4. The FDA reviewed the Pfizer data yesterday and have stated it was safe and effective. They did however note a "numerical imbalance of four cases of Bell's palsy" among people given the vaccine compared to those in the placebo group. This is just something to be aware of. The FDA went on to state that the four cases are not beyond what would be expected in the general population and may not be related to the vaccine.

5. A few important Pfizer reminders: up to 15% of people experience noticeable side effects during the first 48 hours after the second dose. The side effects can be very intense and may cause some people alarm - but the effects won't last more than 24-48 hours. Also important to note that you are not Immune to COVID-19 until 7 days after the second dose of the vaccine so if you get the vaccine you should continue to use precautions until then.

FINAL THOUGHTS: As the reality of the vaccine gets closer and closer the debate of if you should get it has heated up. No one can or should make that decision for you. Each person has to review the facts, educate themselves on the pros and cons (and there are of course both pros and cons) and then make their decision. Like so many things it can be frustrating when others don't agree with you or their decisions seem unreasonable to you - but their decision is theirs to make. Let's aim to respect each other's rights to make the decision that is best for us. We don't have to agree with people's choices, we just have to respect their right to make them.