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The #COVID19 vaccines are safe + effective. Frontline providers are lining up to receive their vaccines because we know this to be true, as the data supports it. It’s a glimmer of HOPE and a miraculous feat of scientific achievement that we got here. Debating the shots?
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There are nearly 75 mill cases worldwide and 1.6 mill deaths. The US makes up a disproportionate amt of these deaths (307,512/1,651,891 = 18.6%). For reference, the US makes up around 5% of the world’s population. 
A vaccine (+ improved public health measures) are essential.
A vaccine (+ improved public health measures) are essential.
The @pfizer and @moderna_tx vaccines were created, tested and approved in record-breaking time. These are historic feats of medicine that will no doubt change the course of this pandemic. Depending on location, only one or the other are available to providers by a tiered rollout
Both vaccines are administered in 2 doses + have similar effective rates. After the second dose (21 days after 1st) Pfizer’s is 95% effective, & Moderna’s 94.5% (4 weeks after 1st) effective. Neither is known to make you immune to getting or transmitting virus, only 
symptoms
symptoms
The Pfizer vaccine is stored at temperatures between -112 to -76 degrees (F), is distributed in a five dose vial, and must be diluted with .9% sodium chloride before being administered. It is approved for use in people over the age of 16. Images c/o Julian Watson @kingsofcounty
Most commonly reported side effects:
Pfizer
•Injection site reaction- 84.1%
•Fatigue- 62.9%
•Headache- 55.1%
•Muscle pain- 38.3%
•Chills- 31.9%
•Joint pain- 23.6%
•Fever- 14.2%
FDA- those over 55 are more susceptible to side effects from the Pfizer vaccine.
Pfizer
•Injection site reaction- 84.1%
•Fatigue- 62.9%
•Headache- 55.1%
•Muscle pain- 38.3%
•Chills- 31.9%
•Joint pain- 23.6%
•Fever- 14.2%
FDA- those over 55 are more susceptible to side effects from the Pfizer vaccine.
The Moderna vaccine is stored at temperatures between -13 to -5 degrees (F), and does not have to be diluted before administration. It will be approved for >18 y/o, according to the FDA’s brief. 0.2-9.7% of those administered the vaccine experienced severe adverse reactions.
Most commonly reported side effects:
Moderna
•Injection site pain- 91.6%
•Fatigue- 68.5%
•Headache- 63%
•Muscle pain- 59.6%
•Joint pain- 44.8%
•Chills 43.4%
The FDA said people over the age of 65 were more susceptible to side effects from the Moderna
Moderna
•Injection site pain- 91.6%
•Fatigue- 68.5%
•Headache- 63%
•Muscle pain- 59.6%
•Joint pain- 44.8%
•Chills 43.4%
The FDA said people over the age of 65 were more susceptible to side effects from the Moderna
Pregnant or Breastfeeding? @acog recently released this advisory:
https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-advisory/articles/2020/12/vaccinating-pregnant-and-lactating-patients-against-covid-19
https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-advisory/articles/2020/12/vaccinating-pregnant-and-lactating-patients-against-covid-19
Here’s another useful decision guide from the folks over at @Baystate_Health https://drive.google.com/file/d/1amyuWed4XkO5dwyfCKmu72RzaAoNf8u-/view?usp=drivesdk
My experience (will update this week): After registering with the state + my institution, I was eligible to get the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine at @DukeHealth. The process included a brief health questionnaire, (ex. any history of severe allergic rxns- consult PCP or allergist 1st!)
The entire registration process could be done on a laptop or phone in about 5 minutes. This will vary by locality, so check with your local health department for more detailed instructions when the vaccine becomes available to you.
The shot was pretty painless, and the whole injection process took <5 minutes. Post-injection, you are instructed to wait for 15 min for observation of any immediate allergic/adverse reactions. Great chance to register with http://vsafe.cdc.gov , the covid vax symptom tracker
Twitter symptom tracker:
6 hours in: no symptoms, except the rush of endorphins from having >50% efficacy from the first of two vaccine injections!
12 hours in: mild injection site soreness (1/10)
18 hours in: mild injection site soreness (1/10)
Will continue to update...
6 hours in: no symptoms, except the rush of endorphins from having >50% efficacy from the first of two vaccine injections!
12 hours in: mild injection site soreness (1/10)
18 hours in: mild injection site soreness (1/10)
Will continue to update...
In summary - the 2 vaccines set to roll out across the country this month for frontline 
and patients of long-term care facilities are safe, effective w/minimal side effects. I’m in awe of the many scientists who worked on the vaccines available and still being developed
and patients of long-term care facilities are safe, effective w/minimal side effects. I’m in awe of the many scientists who worked on the vaccines available and still being developed
I urge you to do your part in the battle against this pandemic + adhere to the 3 W’s (wear a 
, wait 6 ft 
, wash your 
). It is unknown how infectious/contagious you STILL are if you get covid after the vaccine. We must keep our guard 
, wait 6 ft , wash your ). It is unknown how infectious/contagious you STILL are if you get covid after the vaccine. We must keep our guard
I’m confident with a new pandemic response team ( @JoeBiden @KamalaHarris @DrNunezSmith @XavierBecerra @RWalensky @vivek_murthy), vaccines and improved therapeutics on the horizon and improved public health education, we can and will get through this.
But it starts with each of us doing our part. Sacrificing short term for the betterment of everyone long-term. And when it is available to you, getting the vaccine! Educate your friends and family. Use reliable sources. TRUST THE SCIENTISTS
#dontbangpotsgetyourshots
#dontbangpotsgetyourshots
Questions? Ask here. Or check out the following:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/2020/12/14/well/live/covid-vaccine-questions.amp.html
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/942483
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/2020/12/14/well/live/covid-vaccine-questions.amp.html
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/942483
After 9 long months (2 of them quarantining away from then pregnant @AlixandraMD) of PPE, critically ill patients we saved + those we couldn’t, changing how we live + interact with friends/family, concern about infecting my daughter & other loved ones, we have HOPE again!
