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THREAD: 1/ I would like urge all of my colleagues in EMS to become vaccinated for COVID-19 as soon as possible. Here are some basic talking points. You are welcome to use them for whatever purpose. No credit or attribution required. We're all in this together!
2/ What is a vaccine?
· Vaccination is the most effective tool that has ever existed to prevent infectious diseases
· Vaccines are largely responsible for the world-wide eradication of smallpox and prevention of polio, measles, and tetanus
· Vaccination is the most effective tool that has ever existed to prevent infectious diseases
· Vaccines are largely responsible for the world-wide eradication of smallpox and prevention of polio, measles, and tetanus
3/ What is a vaccine? (cont.)
· A biological preparation that provides acquired immunity to an infectious disease
· Agent stimulates body’s immune system to recognize the pathogen as a threat and destroy it
· Longer term antibodies help body remember the threat in the future
· A biological preparation that provides acquired immunity to an infectious disease
· Agent stimulates body’s immune system to recognize the pathogen as a threat and destroy it
· Longer term antibodies help body remember the threat in the future
4/ What is a vaccine? (cont.)
· You get the antibodies without having to suffer the disease!
· The only ethical and morally responsible way to achieve herd immunity
· The way out of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S.
· You get the antibodies without having to suffer the disease!
· The only ethical and morally responsible way to achieve herd immunity
· The way out of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S.
5/ Americans are getting the picture! Between August and November (3 months) the number of Americans who say they would agree to be vaccinated for COVID has jumped from 39% to 63%. https://news.gallup.com/poll/327425/willingness-covid-vaccine-ticks.aspx
6/ That’s a big jump that will continue to rise due to the impressive efficacy of the Pfizer vaccine, FDA emergency use authorization, and potential scarcity in the coming weeks and months.
7/ Safety and Efficacy
· The vaccine is not live virus (modified version of spike protein of SARS-CoV-2)
· Within 7 days of second dose the efficacy rate is an incredible 95%!
· Only single person intervention arm of Phase 3 trial suffered severe disease (prior to second dose)
· The vaccine is not live virus (modified version of spike protein of SARS-CoV-2)
· Within 7 days of second dose the efficacy rate is an incredible 95%!
· Only single person intervention arm of Phase 3 trial suffered severe disease (prior to second dose)
8/ Safety and Efficacy (cont.)
· Most commonly reported side effect was pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site
· Other possible side effects include fatigue, headache, and muscle pain
· A minority of study participants reported fever or chills
· Most commonly reported side effect was pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site
· Other possible side effects include fatigue, headache, and muscle pain
· A minority of study participants reported fever or chills
9/ Safety and Efficacy (cont.)
· Side effects are the result of the body’s immune system becoming activated!
· Side effects are the result of the body’s immune system becoming activated!
10/ The American Paramedic Association (APA) and National EMS Management Association (NEMSMA) released a joint position statement on COVID vaccination that you should read before you opt out of vaccination.
Full statement: https://americanparamedics.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/COVID-19-Vaccination-Considerations_Final_v1.0.pdf
Full statement: https://americanparamedics.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/COVID-19-Vaccination-Considerations_Final_v1.0.pdf
11/ This is a huge moment in the COVID-19 pandemic. It's a light at the end of the tunnel. Things are going to continue to get worse over the holidays but this is the beginning of the end. Please do your part to protect yourself, your family, and your community! </THREAD>
