VACCINE UPDATE

There is a lot of concern out there about how fast the SARS Cov-2 vaccine is being developed and whether or not it will be safe. The track record for vaccines overall has been excellent and they have saved MANY lives over the last hundred years. Although this one is being developed at lightning pace, this situation is also unique.

Most vaccines these days are combinations of multiple microbes or variations on a single one. For example, the 2020 vaccine for the flu includes 4 different anticipated strains of the flu. Last year’s flu vaccine also included the swine-flu vaccine. The MMR vaccine is a combination of vaccines against the microbes which cause Measles, Mumps and Rubella. These more complex vaccines take much longer to produce because of their complexity. With Covid-19, we have a single target. As a result, the speed with which we can develop a safe and effective vaccine is much greater than usual. Add to that the many different companies and amazing minds working to solve this worldwide problem, we have a system which is motivated to make something good, safe and fast.

As far as efficacy goes, all animal trials, primarily on primates, have shown a near 100% efficacy of the various vaccines tested. Now we are primates but every species reacts to things differently, but it is at least some promising information. Early results on humans show near 100% antibody production.

With respect to side effects, there was a lot of interest in the one patient who developed a potentially serious neurological complication, a condition called Transverse Myelitis in which there is inflammation of the spinal cord. As a result, the trial was temporarily halted to investigate but was quickly started back up. In 60% of cases of Transverse Myelitis, the cause is never identified. In the other 40%, established autoimmune conditions like Multiple Sclerosis or Rheumatoid Arthritis are thought to be the cause. Could it have been the vaccine? Possibly but probably not. Keep in mind that, even if it was a side effect of the vaccine, this was one patient among many thousands and most have had no side effects at all. She is also apparently doing well.

We are still far away from a workable vaccine. It will probably not be out by election day and probably not before the start of 2021, at least not for the masses. But there is hope on the horizon.

The big question is who will get the vaccine? We already have people leery of vaccines who never get vaccinated or refuse to vaccinate their kids, despite the clear scientific evidence to their overall safety and effectiveness. Although we are all entitled to our opinions and are free to do what we want, when our opinions or actions impact on everyone else, we need to question the validity of those opinions and actions. As a result of the dropoff in parents getting their kids immunized against MMR, there has been a significant increase in the rate of these diseases. When parents knowing that their kids tested positive for Covid still allow them to participate in sports (this happened about a month ago in our area) or college students at frat parties admitting on camera that they were Covid positive, the decision making abilities of people must be questioned. 

If it is shown to be safe and effective, I for one will be getting it. Whether we should mandate that everyone get it is controversial. Lets just say that in countries where vaccinations are mandated, especially for school children, rates of disease and deaths from those diseases are much lower.

Stay safe and be well. 

AC 😎✌️🌱❤🐖🏃🏻🧘🏻‍♂️🌎😷