Covid is the type of situation where we’re only as good as the “weakest link” in our community. Those who refuse vaccination and/or don't follow the prevention protocols of masking and social distancing, increase the likelihood of a third wave.
This is more concerning to me as a friend, with a serious chronic condition, contracted Covid. He and his family were very careful because of his underlying condition and have no idea how he got it. Sadly, it led to his death. By any measure, he should have been among the first vaccinated but it wasn’t available for him in the state where he lived.
Another friend, who has fought off many bouts of cancer, just posted that she is highly allergic to several ingredients in the vaccines and can’t take them. She begged everyone to please vaccinate to help protect her and others in similar situations.
With states “opening up,” new variants of Covid starting to spread, increasing cases in the US and in other countries, and the constant barrage of inaccurate information, it’s important to review the facts so that people can reduce their risk of being the “weakest link,” in their community.
• You are considered fully vaccinated-2 weeks after you’ve received the second Pfizer or Moderna shot; two weeks after the one shot Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
• If you’ve been fully vaccinated, you can gather indoors with fully vaccinated people without wearing a mask. You can also gather indoors with unvaccinated people from one other household (for example, visiting with relatives who all live together) without masks, unless any of those people or anyone they live with has an increased risk for severe illness from Covid. If you’ve been around someone who has COVID-19, you do not need to stay away from others or get tested unless you have symptoms. However, if you live in a group setting (like a correctional or detention facility or group home) and are around someone who has COVID-19, you should still stay away from others for 14 days and get tested, even if you don’t have symptoms. (CDC)
• All of the approved vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson) help in reaching “herd immunity.” Herd immunity happens when enough people become immune to a disease to make its spread unlikely. It’s usually achieved through vaccination, but it can also occur through natural infection. It is not clear what percentage of the population will need to be vaccinated against Covid, but it appears to be much higher than the 60-70% than first reported. The more easily transmissible a disease is, the higher the vaccination rate required. For a disease like measles, which is very easily transmitted, a vaccination rate of 95% is needed in order to reach herd immunity. Some researchers now think Covid will be an endemic disease, much like flu, and instead of talking about reaching “herd immunity,” are talking about a return to normalcy.
• COVID-19 vaccines are effective at preventing COVID-19 disease, especially severe illness and death. Each vaccine has some differences. Johnson & Johnson is one shot, while the other two require two doses-Pfizer, 21 days a part; Moderna 28 days apart. To learn more about the different vaccines read Comparing the COVID-19 Vaccines: How Are They Different? From Yale Medicine This article also includes information on the next two vaccines up for approval in the US.
Note that few places provide a choice in vaccine type though only Pfizer is for those 16+, while the other two are for 18+ up.
• The best vaccine is the one you can get right now: Since all three vaccines prevent illness and death, unless you have a specific issue, such as being 16 or 17, time is of essence so take whatever is offered to you.
• Even though you may be vaccinated or had Covid you still need to wear a mask, practice social distancing. Here’s why:
- How effective the vaccines are against variants is still being tested. Early data show the vaccines may work against some variants but could be less effective against others. Unfortunately, the longer the virus circulates the more variants occur. Right now the following variants are frequently discussed UK; California; Brazil; South African and New York. Preliminary research indicates that the current vaccines are able to prevent hospitalizations and deaths even though overall protection against symptomatic COVID-19 is lowered.
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The
vaccine doesn’t guarantee complete immunity. While Moderna and Pfizer have efficiencies around 95% and
Johnson & Johnson is at 76%. While the J&J vaccine appears much lower, note that it was the only one of the vaccines where the clinical trials were dealing with variants, such as the South African strain.
- It’s not clear how long these vaccines will be effective.
- There are still a lot of unknowns. It’s unclear whether or not people who receive the COVID-19 vaccine have the ability to spread the virus to others, even if they don’t become sick themselves. Researchers are now studying whether the vaccines prevent asymptomatic transmission of the virus.
To avoid being the “weakest link” practice safer six:
1. Vaccinate when it’s your turn
2. Mask-Cover nose and mouth; Double mask if possible
3. Social distance-6 feet at least
4. Wash hands frequently with soap & water, or hand sanitizer
5. Avoid unnecessary travel
6. Test if you have symptoms, have traveled out of state, or been in contact with someone who has tested positive.
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