As I attempted to write my next blog, I truly struggled. I have a lot of topics to discuss but I could not focus on anything else than the crisis we are in the middle of. I currently live in Florida and we are in our 3rd surge of COVID cases and it is the worst one yet, by far. The loss of life is devastating and overwhelming. The amount of cases keeps going up. The positive outlook to all of this is that we do have a tool available to help this terrible problem we are facing, a vaccine. I know there are a lot of people hesitant about the vaccine. This article will provide helpful information to make the best decision about getting vaccinated against COVID-19.
What is in this Vaccine?
The COVID-19 vaccine is an mRNA vaccine. Other vaccines, like the flu vaccine actually take a weakened version of the virus we are aiming at preventing to prompt our bodies to make the necessary antibodies. The mRNA (messenger ribonucleid acid, you may remember this from biology in high school), is used as it is known in the history of molecular biology to prompt cells to produce or evolve. This mRNA will tell your cells to make a ‘spike’ protein piece found in Coronavirus (Corona= crown). When your body is introduced to the Coronavirus, it recognizes it and is able to fight it.
But literally, what is in this Vaccine?
Here is the Pfizer vaccine list of ingredients:
-mRNA: we just talked about this one.
-Lipids: AKA, fat. The fat particles are used as a shell to ensure the mRNA gets into you.
-Potassium Chloride: Separate, they are basic minerals andelectrolytes. Combined it’s a common treatment for low potassium.
-Monobasic Potassium Phosphate: Common food additive.
-Sodium Chloride: AKA salt.
-Dibasic Sodium Phosphate Dehydrate: Common food additive.
-Sucrose: AKA sugar
Combined, scientists created a life-saving vaccine that is readily available to us all.
Now the real question is, what’s in your hot dog? (Google it- Pink slime & meat slurry. Yuck! I mean I’m still having one next cookout, but yuck!)
What bad could come of getting Vaccinated?
You may experience some mild symptoms from the vaccine. The symptoms could include soreness at the injection site, tiredness, fever and aches. Hydration is important, before your vaccine and after. I personally did not have any symptoms at all. I do know others that did, and I understand that is not enjoyable. This is why it is important to evaluate the big picture, and understand what could occur if you get the virus without the vaccine. At the date of this article there are over 600,000 deaths reported in the U.S. John Hopkins reported the U.S. death rate of 1.7%. Which may not sound like a lot, but when there have been over 36 million cases, this is a lot of people.
On rare occasions a severe allergic reaction can occur with the COVID vaccine. If you have had allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis shock, to previous vaccines or any of the ingredients, discuss with your provider before getting the vaccine. CDC noted 2-5 people per million and a Boston hospital reported a rate of 0.025% anaphylaxis reactions to the vaccine. The ‘Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System’ indicated a death rate of 0.0019% of people who have died that have received the vaccine. The deaths are reported even if there is no link saying the vaccine is a cause. 3 people died who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine with a plausible causal blood clotting issue.
If you are a simple numbers person, you’re looking at 1.7% COVID death rate, compared to 0.0019% deaths reported in people who have had the vaccine (or if you take the only 3 deaths with plausible cause to the vaccine out of the 167.4 million currently vaccinated, it’s 0.0000017% – check my math on that one).
How will this vaccine even help? I heard you can still get COVID
Yes, it is not 100% effective. You can still get COVID even once fully vaccinated, but the symptoms are mild. The vaccine is aiding in preventing severe cases that require you to go to the hospital or even lose your life. Your body may get the virus, butit is now ready, thanks to the vaccine, to build up immunity and fight it. It is an layer of defense against this scary, morbid disease.
Hospitals are seeing over 90% of patients coming in with COVID are not vaccinated. The patients in the hospital are there because their symptoms are no longer mild. They need 24/7 healthcare because they are now very sick. Once you are vaccinated there is a 14 day window after your final dose which immunity is not yet at the expected level. Unfortunately, there have been instances that patient’s received their vaccine but got sick during that time frame. The rate of those dying from COVID whom are unvaccinated is even higher. Many hospitals are reporting approximately 99% of their patient COVID deaths in people not vaccinated.
What’s the alternative If I don’t get Vaccinated?
Not getting the vaccine leaves you at a higher risk from dying from COVID. As mentioned, unvaccinated people who contract COVID have a higher risk of getting sicker than those who did get the vaccine. Your chance of survival from COVID is much greater if you got the available defense prior, the vaccine.
Hospitals will continue to stretch themselves so thin and this effects quality of care. Communities are faced with a surge of sick COVID patients requiring staff to care for a higher than normal case load. Staff providing this care are people as well, who can get COVID or be exposed to COVID and require to call out to quarantine, reducing the available staff to work.
The more our healthcare systems are stretched, the harder it is to care for all of the issues we typically see such as heart attacks, car crash traumas, strokes and variety of other reasons people seek care. Not when you have ‘healthcare heroes’ trying to be heroes endlessly for 18 months and counting. Healthcare providers are simply leaving the industry all together, because as humans you can only take so much. We need to all pitch in to do our part in the fight against this pandemic. Help our healthcare heroes. They need us.
Organizations are also at times required to shift their focus to keeping care available for COVID patients, and other elective healthcare items will be postponed. This may not sound like a big deal, but tell that to the people who have had their surgeries scheduled for months. (Ex. A pending cataract surgery for someone who can’t drive due to poor vision until it’s complete.)
Staffing will also continue to be an issue in a lot of other realms. Supplies are not always as readily available. If a factory had a COVID outbreak and everyone is home sick, productions comes to a hault. People who transport the supplies may be out so they can’t get distributed. So you may think you don’t need the vaccine because you’re not in healthcare, but honestly the effects of your decision are further than what you can see in front of you.
It’s my choice.
Getting the vaccine is absolutely your choice. Evaluate it carefully, and make the right one. The wrong choice could cost a life.
How Can I Get Vaccinated?
If you have not already, and would like to get the vaccine there are a variety of options available. Each local community has their own avenues. A quick google search should provide you the information of where your closest vaccination center location is. Chain pharmacies such as CVS & Walgreens are also providing them.
We have been dealing with COVID-19 for a long time. Unfortunately, there does not seem to be an end in sight. It is going to require the majority of us to step up and participate. And so I thank you for taking the time to read this. Thank you for considering the vaccine. If you have gotten the vaccine, thank you so much for playing a vital piece in overcoming this worldwide pandemic.
Disclaimer- As this virus continues to spread, rates can change. I encourage you to research additional questions you have about getting vaccinated.
Resources:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html
Great article! ☺️
Thanks Theresa!!
Thanks for reading. Hope you’re doing well!!