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List of the most common questions I am getting regarding #CovidVaccine. Here's a shot at answering them. Hope they are helpful! Many answers I got from recently available @CDCgov material.
1. Can mRNA vaccines give someone #COVID19? No, this is biologically impossible because only mRNA for the Spike protein is being used, not the entire genome.
2. Can receipt of an mRNA vaccine result in a positive #COVID19 viral (nucleic acid or antigen) test? No, this cannot happen. This would be a new diagnosis of #COVID19, not the effect of the vaccine.
3. Is routine #COVID19 testing needed prior to receiving the #CovidVaccine? No.
4. Do you need to follow all usual public health guidance after receiving the #CovidVaccine? Yes, the trials for the mRNA vaccines were not designed to detect asymptomatic infection. Although one can surmise that Asx infection might also be prevented, that has not been proven.
Therefore, even after receiving the vaccine, everyone should practice universal masking outside of the home, physical distancing, frequent handwashing, and avoiding large crowds, as they were doing before having received the vaccine.
5. When might post-vaccination symptoms most likely occur? Within the 3 first days after vaccination (with day of receipt being Day 1).
6. How long should typical post-vaccination symptoms last? <2 days
7. What are some of the typical post-vaccination symptoms? Headache, myalgias, fever, fatigue
8. What symptoms should NOT be attributed to the vaccine? Very important so as not to miss a new case of #COVID19. Cough, shortness of breath, rhinorrhea, sore throat, and loss of taste or smell should NOT be caused by vaccination.
9. What happens if I miss the 21-day mark for the 2nd dose? Try not to avoid, but if that does happen, the first dose does not need to be repeated.
10. Can I mix and match different vaccine types? No, there is no data that would support doing this. Although it might work theoretically, should not experiment.
11. What if I have recently gotten the flu shot? You should wait 14 days after having received the flu shot to get the #COVID19 vaccine.
12. What if I have previously had #COVID19, symptomatic or asymptomatic? You are still eligible for vaccination, and it is recommended.
13. What if someone currently has #COVID19? They should wait until they are out of their isolation period and are clinically improved. There is no specific timeframe that is currently specified to wait after having had #COVID19 to receive vaccine.
14. What if someone received monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma for treatment of prior #COVID19? Should wait at least 90 days from receipt of treatment to vaccinate so as to avoid any unintended interference with immune response to vaccine.
15. What about immunocompromised patients? No safety and efficacy data. Immune response to vaccine might be blunted. However, vaccination can still be considered.
16. What about women who are pregnant or breastfeeding? No official safety/efficacy data. However, they are eligible, and vaccination should be considered using shared decision making. mRNA vaccines are not live-virus vaccines so from a theoretical standpoint should be safe.
17. How about allergic reactions? A severe allergic reaction to a vaccine component is a contraindication to vaccination. If someone has had a severe allergic reaction to any prior vaccine or injectable Tx, Pfizer vaccine should NOT be given (does not include food allergies).
18. What will antibody tests look like after vaccination? If the target of an antibody test is Spike protein, it will be positive after vaccination (after some time) and so couldn't be used to distinguish between vaccination or prior infection.
Please feel free to share or ask any questions!!
@BCM_InternalMed @BCMIDFellowship @JillWeather @EvaClarkMD @EvaAmenta @nepherson @JFBirnbaum @ShehniNadeem @IDSAInfo @IDSAMedEdCOP @ID_fellows @RealTimeCOVID19 @Cortes_Penfield @transplantID @sargsyanz
@BCM_InternalMed @BCMIDFellowship @JillWeather @EvaClarkMD @EvaAmenta @nepherson @JFBirnbaum @ShehniNadeem @IDSAInfo @IDSAMedEdCOP @ID_fellows @RealTimeCOVID19 @Cortes_Penfield @transplantID @sargsyanz
