Which Vaccine Should I Take? How Long Will It Last?… and Other Vaccine Questions.
WHICH VACCINE SHOULD I GET?
The simple answer? Whichever one your state offers.
Although the CDC and FDA do evaluate all drugs and determine safety and availability, ultimate decisions about vaccines are left to individual states, and I do believe provinces in Canada. Which vaccine is available in NJ may be different from which one is available in Ohio. That is not necessarily bad since the best candidates so far are all based on the same model, meaning mRNA vaccines, all appear safe and appear effective.
States also determine exactly what defines healthcare and essential workers so who gets it and when, is up to each state once again. As far as those at risk? I think most of those who read my blogs already know my feelings about that. The vast majority of Americans, and I suspect Candadians, have some underlying risk factors, although Canadians are overall a little healthier despite all the doughnuts and poutine they eat! Of course those with known autoimmune issues or getting cancer treatments are at much greater risk, but when more than 50% of the population is hypertensive and 75% are at least overweight, it’s hard to say one person is “healthier” than another.
HOW LONG WILL VACCINE PROTECTION LAST? As far as duration of protection goes, it’s a waiting game. Some immunizations are good for many years (measles, mumps… these are usually permanent, but occasionally need a booster in adulthood). Some vaccines need to be given yearly (like the flu). This is primarily because the virus mutates to such a degree every year that a new vaccine is needed. SO FAR, it looks like, although the SARS-Cov-2 virus does mutate, what these vaccines seem to be targeting are not changing so the early expectation is that protection may be longer than what the flu vaccine provides. BUT, we just have to wait and see.
IS NATURAL IMMUNITY FROM INFECTION BETTER THAN THE VACCINE? In most cases, when you get an infection you develop many different antibodies to various parts of a microbe. Vaccines usually target only a few parts. One would think that natural immunity from infection might be better for future protection but that is not always the case. Tetanus and HPV are two very good examples of how the vaccine may provide better immune protection than the actual infection. In addition, the development and health of your immune system impacts on how well of an immune response and future protection you might develop. Lastly, getting the illness may have side effects that vaccination avoids. I just saw a man in the office who was deaf in one ear since childhood. Why? Because he got measles and mumps as a child, both of which can cause deafness.
The early thoughts about these vaccines as well as how SARS-Cov-2 behaves, are that the vaccine protection may be on the side of longer rather than shorter protection and, more importantly, better with the vaccine.
WHAT ABOUT SAFETY? There are obvious short term issues and long term issues to consider. In the short term, they seem very, very safe. Sure many get a little soreness and maybe a little ache but this is a good thing! It means your body is reacting to it and mounting an immune/inflammatory response. These symptoms last at most a couple of days and are not debilitating. As far as long term risks? We just don’t know. Time will tell. There was a great antibiotic out 15 years ago called Avelox. It killed off certain nasty infections very effectively but after a few years, it was clear it was killing people off as well since it caused permanent liver damage. It is no longer on the market. Recent studies are revealing that people who regularly take acid reducers like Nexium and Prevacid are 25-30% more likely to have a heart attack or stroke! Why? Mother Nature did not give us stomach acid for no reason? Reducing acid reduces absorption of nutrients leading to all kinds of issues. The bottom line is that drugs are drugs and sometimes, we do not know the long term side effects until long-term happens. Vaccines overall have a pretty good track record however.
WHAT ABOUT PRESERVATIVES LIKE THIMEROSAL? First of all, thimerosal has not been used as a preservative in kids vaccines since 2001. It is used in some, usually multi dose versions, of the flu vaccine. I have not read about which preservative is used in the flu vaccine. Secondly, there is NO evidence that thimerisol, or any other preservative has been shown to cause any harm, including autism. Thirdly, if you are still not convinced, look at your own plate or your beverage container!! The amount of chemicals in your food is far greater than any minuscule amount of preservative in a vaccine. BPA in your beer can. There is more arsenic in one serving of organic rice from Texas than what the FDA says is safe in an entire year of exposure. It can make your head spin. PERSPECTIVE PEOPLE!!!!!
EGG ALLERGY. It’s a non issue. Even with severe egg allergy, the flu vaccine is perfectly safe and my understanding of the Covid mRNA vaccines is that eggs are not used anyway.
Vaccines overal are safe, effective and have saved countless lives. So far, the vaccines developed to prevent SARS-Cov-2 infection seem very safe and effective. I plan to get one when my number is up.
Get them when they become available but it may be many months. When they do become available, you MUST continue to behave like you didn’t get one, meaning, you must continue to do all the basics. MASKS, DISTANCE, WASH YOUR HANDS…
They are effective but you can still get the virus and spread it to those who have not received it yet.
Stay safe and be well.
AC