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Y'all my GP sent the most amazing email re: COVID vaccinations and I have to share it. Tweet thread incoming!
Okay, I'm tweeting this in full, so be prepared for about 20ish tweets. The best bits are gonna be in the middle so keep reading even if the first part is a wee bit dry. It's good setup for the punchline. Trust me... 1/?
From my GP Dr. Cory Waldman (giving the man credit):
The purpose of this email is to discuss COVID-19 vaccination and to summarize the current state of affairs with regard to Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines. Vaccination, as we all know, has begun. 2/?
The purpose of this email is to discuss COVID-19 vaccination and to summarize the current state of affairs with regard to Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines. Vaccination, as we all know, has begun. 2/?
I believe it is superfluous to dissect all the study data and want to make a broad formal recommendation based on what I have observed so far. I’m going to summarize three important points with regard to these two very similar vaccinations. 3/?
Is it safe and efficacious? Yes.
Is it safe and efficacious? Yes.
Is it safe and efficacious? Yes.
Please note another COVID strain, not necessarily unexpectedly, has been isolated in England and the vaccine’s effectiveness for this new strain is currently being evaluated... 4/?
Is it safe and efficacious? Yes.
Is it safe and efficacious? Yes.
Please note another COVID strain, not necessarily unexpectedly, has been isolated in England and the vaccine’s effectiveness for this new strain is currently being evaluated... 4/?
...but it will most likely be effective. The vast majority of vaccine reactions occur within the first 30 days and to date nothing significant has occurred. Somewhere between 500 thousand and 1 million people have already been vaccinated. 5/?
Yes, a few people have had “allergic reactions” but this appears to be rather isolated. Remember all current vaccinations are occurring in healthcare settings with access to medications should they be needed. [SB Note: Get ready... here comes the good stuff...] 6/?
With regard to long term implications of vaccination, leadership in a South American country has sarcastically commented that it could turn you into an alligator, which my daughters think would be cool. The reality is we aren't sure of the long term implications... 7/?
... but the technology platform does not imply any long term concerns. I am going to go out on a limb, and say that eating Cinnabons could have long term health implications, but I love Cinnabons and will continue to eat them. In addition, all these risks need to balanced. 8/?
With regard to current COVID fatality rates (I am not going to get into the nuances of case fatality rates vs. infection fatality rates vs. crude mortality rates), it is rather high, particularly for seniors and those with co-morbidities. 9/?
For the vast majority of people who survive infection, the long term implications of having had COVID infection are still unknown, i.e. “long-haulers”.
At this moment, I believe we all know someone who has been substantially impacted by this disease. 10/?
At this moment, I believe we all know someone who has been substantially impacted by this disease. 10/?
To me this breaks down to simple numbers. First, what is the probability of getting COVID? That appears at this moment to be rather high for the Los Angeles area, of course depending on degree of social engagement as well. 11/?
Second, should I get COVID, what is the probability of a poor outcome? That is low, but obviously higher depending on age group as previously mentioned. Third, how effective is the vaccine in preventing a bad outcome? That number, based on study data, is as good as it gets. 12/?
To me the numbers add up, and clearly suggest vaccination is imperative. Physicians I sincerely trust including infectious disease doctors, epidemiologists, public health experts, and researchers, all of whom are substantially more intelligent than I am... 13/?
... , have essentially universally endorsed vaccination. My last point, is perhaps the most important. As I have told many of you personally, I would not endorse vaccination unless I was willing to put it in my own arm. 14/?
I have a personal history of anaphylaxis to certain foods, but I was nonetheless vaccinated yesterday evening with Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine. So far, with the exception of a sore tail, I have no side effects. 15/?
Please note, I will be providing a status update with regard to our office obtaining vaccines. We are actively making great efforts to procure vaccines, however we do not have any updates with regard to timing as government bodies are controlling this process. 16/?
There is no need to call the office nor is there a waitlist. Our goal is to have enough vaccine available for anybody who desires and qualifies for vaccination as determined by current guidelines. Wishing us all a healthy and happier 2021. 17/?
So... my doctor is awesome. I knew that anyway, but now I know he loves @Cinnabon so I'm gonna take him some the next time I see him. Also, I agree with his daughters. It would be cool to turn into an alligator. 18/18 [End Tweet thread]
