I haven’t seen anyone use this as an argument against vaccines yet, but let’s be real, we know they’re out there. So let’s talk about this for a second! 1/ https://twitter.com/lisadnews/status/1346171484570578947

First, as humans—especially as humans living in a very complicated world—we really like absolutes and straightforward decisions, to the point that we subconsciously talk ourselves into thinking that the world can be explained as “if this, then this.” 2/

“If i get the COVID vaccine, i won’t get COVID (and eventually this pandemic will be over, at least for me, right?).” Especially because when we think of vaccines, we think of disease *prevention*—i’ve never seen a patient with polio, for instance, because we prevent it now. 3/

But some diseases aren’t that straightforward—influenza, for instance. And i think we need to look at COVID like influenza, at least from a vaccine perspective. (They are NOT the same, let me be very clear here. But there are some parallels.) 4/

So. You probably know that we have a new flu shot every year. You also probably hear folks talking about how effective that year’s shot is. These two things are related! Short version: there are multiple strains of influenza out there, and we try to figure which one will be 5/

the most effective for the coming year’s influenza strain(s) of choice. When we guess right, the shot is more effective at preventing people from getting influenza. When we guess wrong, it’s less effective—but still works! 6/

Tbh, i think we do ourselves a disservice by focusing solely on prevention of infection with things like the influenza vaccine. Because what’s also important is the prevention of *harm*, and we don’t quantify that well. I think the same will be true of COVID vaccinations. 7/

Because even in years where the flu shot has been less effective in stopping the spread of influenza, it’s still effective in stopping the harm of influenza—to people who’ve gotten the vaccine. (And yes, less spread equals less overall harm, of course, but stick with me.) 8/

Essentially, we’ve seen that if you get the flu vaccine, your likelihood of being hospitalized or dying of influenza goes WAY down, even if it’s one of those “less effective” batches/years and you still get sick from the circulating strain of influenza. 9/

(There’s some fascinating research out there about the 1919 Influenza suggesting that it hit younger people harder than older folks because of a pandemic ~40-50 years previous. Can’t remember if that held up, but you see what i’m saying? Exposure helps immunity.) 10/

I got my first COVID vaccine December 21, and tbh, i don’t necessarily think that once i get my second shot that i’ll be free and clear. I’m going to keep wearing my mask and practicing good distancing measures and living like i’m unvaccinated and at risk. 11/

Because there’s a lot we don’t know yet about how long the vaccine is effective, and whether or not it will prevent me from transmitting COVID to others. There’s also a very small chance that the vaccine won’t take, for whatever reason. 12/

Lastly, let me pause to point out that i don’t know when Rep. Granger received her vaccine, but a)it generally takes ~2 weeks to build up the antibodies for it to be effective, and b)we know that the COVID vaccines we have need 2 shots to be fully effective. 13/

So there are several things at play here. Literally none of them mean that the COVID vaccines aren’t effective or worth getting. It’s my hope that people don’t see this news and decide not to get vaccinated. 14/

Last but not least—i am not a numbers/data guy; everything i’ve said above is my understanding as a nurse of some very complicated things, and while it comes from good sources, i don’t have them to hand at the moment. I welcome corrections! /end