How Common Are Serious Adverse Reactions To The Vaccine
Anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction, is extremely rare. All people who get a COVID-19 vaccine are to be monitored on site for a minimum of 15 minutes for possible reactions, and at least 30 minutes if that individual has a history of immediate allergic reactions. If someone has a severe allergic reaction after getting vaccinated, their vaccination provider will send a report to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System . VAERS is a national system that collects reports from healthcare professionals, vaccine manufacturers, and the public about adverse events that happen after vaccination. Reports of adverse events that are unexpected, appear to happen more often than expected, or have unusual patterns are followed up with specific studies.
The Science Behind The Vaccines
You cannot get COVID-19 from the vaccines. All of the currently authorized vaccines give your body temporary instructions to make a protein. The two-dose vaccines use mRNA technology, while the one-dose vaccine uses DNA technology to provide these instructions. This protein safely teaches your body to make germ-fighting antibodies against the COVID-19 virus. These germ-fighting antibodies are then ready to fight off the real COVID-19 if it ever tries to attack you. Your body naturally breaks down everything in the vaccine. There is no COVID-19 virus in the vaccine, and none of the vaccines can change your DNA.
The COVID-19 vaccines give the cells in your body the instructions to make a protein that safely teaches your body how to make antibodies to fight the real COVID-19. Your body naturally destroys the instructions and gets rid of them. None of the vaccine ingredients remain in your system, nor do they alter any DNA in your body. The three COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the United States do not contain eggs, preservatives, fetal tissue, stem cells, mercury or latex. For a full list of ingredients, please see each vaccines Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers:
Can Other Vaccines Help Prevent Me From Getting Covid
Other vaccines, such as those for flu, measles, or other diseases, will not protect you from COVID-19. Only the vaccines designed specifically to protect you from COVID-19, once approved for use by the FDA, can prevent COVID-19. While a flu vaccine will not prevent you from getting COVID-19, it can prevent you from getting influenza at the same time as COVID-19. Because the flu viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 will both be spreading during this time, getting a flu vaccine is more crucial than ever.
Read Also: When Is Pneumonia Vaccine Given
Q: Do I Need To Bring My Covid
A: Ohioans are encouraged to bring their existing COVID-19 vaccine card to be updated. If you cannot find your vaccine card, you should first contact your original vaccine provider to see if they can locate your records. If they are unable to assist, please contact your local health department. If they are unable to assist, please review this information on how to mail a request for your vaccination recordsto the Ohio Department of Health. You will not be able to obtain a new vaccine card by request, but will be able to access your vaccination records. If you do not have your card, you can still get your booster dose.
Merck Says Its Antiviral Pill Is Less Effective In A Final Analysis
The pharmaceutical company Merck said on Friday that in a final analysis of a clinical trial, its antiviral pill reduced the risk of hospitalization and death among high-risk Covid patients by 30 percent, down from an earlier estimate of 50 percent.
The lower efficacy is a disappointment for the drug, known as molnupiravir, which health officials around the world are counting on as a critical tool to save lives and reduce the burden on hospitals. It increases the importance of a similar, apparently more effective, offering from Pfizer that is also under review by the Food and Drug Administration.
A panel of advisers to the F.D.A. is set to meet on Tuesday to discuss Mercks treatment and vote on whether to recommend authorizing it to treat high-risk Covid patients.
In briefing documents posted to the F.D.A.s website on Friday, agency reviewers did not take a position on whether the drug should be authorized, though they found that the clinical trial data did not show any major safety concerns and that the drug was effective in preventing severe disease.
The reviewers said they had only become aware of the updated efficacy estimate earlier this week and were still reviewing the data. They said they could update their assessment when the panel meets on Tuesday.
The reduction in hospitalization is a little bit less, but there is still a big mortality benefit if you start early, he said.
Also Check: When Can 60 And Older Get The Vaccine
Ny Ends Covid Vaccine Residency Rule: Anyone Can Get Vaccinated In State
New York New York is ending its residency requirement for Covid-19 vaccines, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said today.
Anyone can now come to the state and get a shot, Cuomo said during a press conference in New York City.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said last week he wanted to roll out vaccine clinics for visiting tourists. The state approved, according to NBC New York.
Cuomo said today the residency requirement will end statewide.
Anyone from out of state can get a vaccine in New York, he said. If youre tourist and you come to New York, well give you a vaccine.
The moves comes as demand for Covid vaccines is falling in New York and throughout the rest of the nation. Anyone 16 and up can now get a shot in New York and the states mass vaccination sites are all taking walk-ins with no appointments required.
Cuomo announced new efforts today to try to boost the rate of shots in New York:
All State University of New York and City University of New York schools will require vaccines for in-person students before the fall semester. Cuomo is encouraging private colleges to do the same.
How Many Vaccine Doses Are Available
Vaccine manufacturers are working hard to manufacture and distribute vaccines safely, quickly, and effectively. Each state will be informed, on a weekly basis, of how many vaccine doses they will receive that week. The addition of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, coupled with a partnership with Merck on manufacturing and ongoing efforts by Pfizer and Moderna to increase supply, will allow more people to receive the vaccine.
You May Like: Do Vaccines Compromise Your Immune System
Can People With Chronic Health Conditions Have Covid
People with specific underlying medical conditions can arrange to have a COVID-19 vaccination now. However, people with certain underlying medical conditions should speak with their healthcare provider for advice on their particular situation.
ATAGI has noted evidence of a very rare but serious side effect after the AstraZeneca vaccination involving blood clots with low blood platelet counts a syndrome called thrombosis with thrombocytopenia . There is potentially increased risk of TTS following AstraZeneca vaccination in those under 60 years. Therefore, ATAGI recommends that people aged 60 and over receive the AstraZeneca vaccine and eligible 12- to 59-year-olds receive the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
However, people aged 18 and older can have AstraZeneca if they have the following medical conditions and they have weighed up the benefits versus the rare risk of a serious side effect:
- a history of venous thromboembolism in typical sites, such as deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism
- a predisposition to form blood clots, such as those with Factor V Leiden, or other non-immune thrombophilic disorders
- a family history of clots or clotting conditions
- currently receiving anticoagulant medications
- a history of ischaemic heart disease or cerebrovascular accident
- a current or past history of thrombocytopenia
The Pfizer vaccine is recommended for people aged 12 years and older with the following medical conditions:
After Detecting The Omicron Variant South Africa Feels Punished By Global Travel Bans
JOHANNESBURG As the United States and European countries close their borders over fears over the recently detected coronavirus variant, many South Africans say they feel as if they are being punished for alerting global health authorities.
Hours after South African scientists announced the existence of a new variant that they said displayed a big jump in evolution, Britain banned travelers from southern African nations. Other European nations and the United States quickly followed suit.
I do apologize that people took a very radical decision, said Tulio de Oliveira, director of the KwaZulu-Natal Research and Innovation Sequencing Platform and the scientist who announced the new variant on Thursday.
Fresh from a virtual meeting with global health leaders, including Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, President Bidens top medical adviser on the coronavirus, Mr. Oliveira told journalists he believed that international solidarity would be in favor of South Africas decision to publicize its findings.
The variant, named Omicron by the World Health Organization, was first detected in South Africa and in neighboring Botswana. The government in Botswana announced that four initial cases were all foreign diplomats who had since left, and that contact tracing was continuing.
We had been on the British red list and we worked our way out of it and with no notification we find ourselves back on the red list, Ms. Sisulu told a national television station.
Lynsey Chutel
Recommended Reading: Is The Shingrix Vaccine Live
Q: When Should I Get A Covid
A: If you received a Johnson & Johnson vaccine, you are eligible for a booster dose two months following the initial dose. If you received a Pfizer/Comirnaty or Moderna vaccine for your primary series , you are eligible for a booster dose six months after your second shot. If you are an immunocompromised patient who received an additional dose of Pfizer/Comirnaty or Moderna vaccine, you are eligible for a booster dose six months after receiving the additional dose.
Q: Why Were Some People Allowed To Get A Third Covid
A: Both the Pfizer and Moderna messenger RNA vaccines require two doses for full effectiveness for most people. For a very small percentage of people who are immunocompromised, a third/additional dose of mRNA vaccine is now recommended. This recommendation applies to people who have moderately or severely weakened immune systems and may have insufficient response to a two-dose vaccine regimen. The additional dose is for people with conditions or undergoing treatments that may cause moderate to severe immune system compromise and therefore a weaker initial response. These conditions include, but are not limited to:
- Active treatment for a solid-tumor cancer or a blood, bone marrow, or lymph cancer.
- Receipt of a solid organ transplant and use of related immunosuppressive drugs.
- Receipt within the past two years of a CAR-T-cell transplant or taking related immunosuppressive drugs.
- Receipt within the past two years of a hematopoietic stem cell transplant or taking related immunosuppressive drugs.
- Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency.
- Advanced or untreated HIV.
- Active treatment with any of the following:
- High-dose corticosteroids.
- Chemotherapy treatments classified as severely immunosuppressive.
- Tumor necrosis factor blockers.
- A biologic agent that is immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory.
At this time, those third/additional doses are recommended for recipients of the messenger RNA vaccines .
Recommended Reading: How Will Stores Know If You Are Vaccinated
When Will There Be Enough Vaccine For Everyone In Ohio
During the early phases of administration of COVID-19 vaccines in the United States, supply is limited. This means that not everyone will be able to be vaccinated right away. While supply is limited, Ohio is offering the vaccine first to those at highest risk for death from COVID-19. As vaccination production ramps up, every Ohioan who chooses may receive a vaccine as soon as large quantities are available. It is hard to predict when the vaccine will be widely available for everyone, as it is based on supply.
Do I Have To Get The Second Dose Will The Vaccine Still Work With Just One Dose
If you receive the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, a second dose is required to achieve full effectiveness and protection. Full doses should be administered as directed, and the second dose should be from the same manufacturer as the first dose, and should follow the FDA-recommended intervals . The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is a single-dose product.
Read Also: What Is The Hpv Vaccine Called
What Are The Side Effects
After receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, you may have some side effects, which are normal signs that your body is building protection. Side effects are typically mild to moderate, occur within the first 3 days beginning the day of the vaccination, and resolve within 1-2 days of onset. Some people have no side effects.
Common side effects on the arm where you received the shot include pain, redness, and swelling. Throughout the rest of your body, you may feel tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, fever, and nausea.
For more information, please see the CDC’s Possible Side Effects After Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine.
Vaccine Dosing
Who Says New Variant In South Africa Is Of Concern As Countries Impose Travel Restrictions
The World Health Organization said a newly identified coronavirus variant in southern Africa was of concern on Friday, as countries around the world moved to restrict travelers arriving from that region to keep it from crossing their borders.
So far, only a few dozen cases of the new variant have been identified in South Africa, Botswana, Belgium, Hong Kong and Israel. There is no proof yet that the variant is more contagious or lethal, or could diminish the protective power of vaccines, but uncertainty on those questions was one factor in the speed of countries move toward restrictions.
On Friday evening, the World Health Organization gave the new version of the virus the name Omicron and called it a variant of concern, its most serious category. This variant has a large number of mutations, some of which are concerning, the W.H.O. said in its official description. Preliminary evidence suggests an increased risk of reinfection with this variant.
Earlier on Friday, the European Commission proposed that its member countries activate the emergency brake on travel from countries in southern Africa and other affected countries to limit the spread of the variant.
Read Also: How Much Are Kitten Vaccinations At Petco
Q: Once Fully Vaccinated What Should I Keep Doing To Protect Myself And Others
- A: You should still take steps to protect yourself and others in many situations, like wearing a mask, staying at least 6 feet apart from others, and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces. Take these precautions whenever you are:
- In public
- Gathering with unvaccinated people from more than one other household.
- Visiting with an unvaccinated person who is at increased risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19 or who lives with a person at increased risk.
Who Were The Vaccines Tested On
The safety of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine was evaluated in people 16 years of age and older in two clinical studies conducted in the United States, Europe, Turkey, South Africa, and South America. Overall, 50.6% of participants were male and 49.4% were female, 83.1% were White, 9.1% were Black or African American, 28.0% were Hispanic or Latino, 4.3% were Asian, and 0.5% were American Indian or Alaska Native. The safety of the Pfizer vaccine in younger adolescents was studied in 2,260 adolescents ages 12-15 in the U.S.
The safety of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine was evaluated in people 18 years of age and older in the United States. Overall, 52.7% of participants were male, 47.3% were female, 79.2% were White, 10.2% were Black or African American, 20.5% were Hispanic or Latino, 4.6% were Asian, 0.8% were American Indian or Alaska Native, 0.2% were Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 2.1% were Other, and 2.1% were Multiracial.
The safety of the was evaluated in people 18 years of age and older in the U.S., Brazil, South Africa, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Chile, and Mexico. Overall, 45% of participants were female, 55% were male, 58.7% were White, 19.4% were Black or African American, 45.3% were Hispanic or Latino, 3.3% were Asian, 9.5% were American Indian/Alaska Native 0.2% were Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, 5.6% were from multiple racial groups and 1.4% were unknown races.
Read Also: Where Can You Get Hepatitis B Vaccine
Im Pregnant Should I Take The Vaccine
The CDC and groups such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists say all three vaccines should be made available to those who are pregnant, but they leave the choice about whether to get vaccinated up to each individual. Pregnant women were not included in the initial clinical trials for all three vaccines, so there’s no data specific to pregnant women. There are no known risks to pregnant women or developing fetuses, according to the CDC. Women who are pregnant are at higher risk of a severe case of COVID-19 if they do become infected. Women are encouraged to discuss whether or not they should receive the vaccine with their healthcare providers.