A thread about how our #CovidVaccine conversations with hesitant HCWs could look different. We #pediatricians counsel on #VaccineScience every day. H/t to @kkidia for getting me thinking of this special type of vaccine hesitancy.

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@kkidia is spot on that with ALL families or patients, we 1st need to elicit and REALLY hear what their true concerns are. If the patient is a HCW, I might ask if about specific things “that bother you because you’re a nurse/MA/MD?” Really hearing & being respectful is key. 2/

Speed of #CovidVax development is a common concern & I relate because I hated the name “Operation Warp Speed”. Trust in govt has wavered for many of us. Others specifically targeted trust in science. It’s a legitimate gap in #scicomm so let’s fill it in today.
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During the SARS & MERS outbreaks, good progress was made on basic science research into coronavirus immunology, spike proteins, & vaccine development. Because the outbreaks were not long-lasting, vaccine funding dried up midway but the scientists were prepared to use the tech. 4/

One of the initial steps in vaccine development in this century is identifying the gene sequences of the virus.The Chinese govt released the SARS-CoV-2 sequence in midJanuary so vaccine scientists jumped to work. With the SARS/MERS foundation ready, this was a huge advantage.5/

Vaccines we use routinely in medicine are:
1. Live attenuated virus (MMR)
2. Inactivated (injected polio vax)
3. Subunit,recombinant, polysaccharide,& conjugate vaccines(small parts of cells-pneumococcal vax)
4. Toxoid (diphtheria vax)

Most require isolation & cell culture.
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The process of growing & weakening viruses in cell culture adaptation is SLOW.

The 2 US #CovidVaccine types use a different but well tested delivery system.The nanoparticle technology for “packaging” messenger RNA for spike protein doesn’t lean heavily on slow cell cultures.
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So instead of using chick cells to slowly manufacture a weak version of a viral protein to be injected into your body,the mRNA is meticulously created with instructions for your cells to produce SARS-CoV-2 spike protein & that piece of mRNA is packaged in lipid (fat membrane).8/

There are recombinant #COVID19 vaccines & other types that will be introduced in the next 6-9 months because their technologies are different and the variety is likely to help us in many ways. Less cold storage requirements & greater shelf life helps rural areas, etc. 9/

Pfizer actually didn’t use Operation Warp Speed for research & development of its vaccine but only took federal money to ramp up manufacturing QUICKLY. 10/

Many physicians & public health experts were watching the vaccine trial process very closely & didn’t support the vaccines UNTIL we examined full trial numbers & results.The $ from Operation Warp Speed helped complete full trials w/ better staffing.That was a happy surprise.11/

I truly believe that #VaccineConfidence requires:
1. Scientists & Pharma to follow the time-honored trial process.
2. Transparency in that trial process: What types of patients were in the trials? What,if any, safety and effectiveness questions came up in Phase III trials? 12/

And above all:
3. Science communication.

We don’t do science communication training for scientists,public health students, physicians,local/state/federal officials.

Let’s practice our #scicomm skills on HCWs & IMPROVE now.

https://fortune.com/2020/12/05/how-covid-vaccines-are-made-coronavirus-vaccine-how-it-works/

#VaccinesSaveLives