Helping Fight the Pandemic with COVID-19 Vaccines
The pandemic is like nothing most of us have ever seen in our lives. As a physician working in the hospital, let me tell you, it is not over yet. Life in the hospital and around the world has changed. According to theWorld Health Organization1, over 96 million people have been infected and over 2 million people have died. And these numbers continue to rise. Researchers and physicians find ways of treating these patients such as anticoagulation, plasma infusions, steroids, etc. However, more vaccinations and further testing are keys to winning the war against this virus.
Vaccinations are crucial in trying to end this pandemic. According to theCDC2, Covid-19 vaccines help boost our immune systems to be able to fight the coronavirus that causesCOVID-19. In response to the vaccines, our bodies create memory T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes which remember how to fight the virus within a few weeks. So far, over 19 million doses have been administered. However, we need much more to end this pandemic.
There are three main types of vaccines in the United States, including mRNA vaccines, protein subunit vaccines, and vector vaccines. mRNA vaccines contain genetic material from the virus that causes COVID-19 which triggers cells in our bodies to create copies of a harmless viral protein that is unique to this coronavirus. Our memory T and B cells then remember that this protein does not belong in our bodies and fight the coronavirus if we are ever infected in the future. Protein subunit vaccines contain harmless viral proteins that then trigger our memory T and B cells. Vector vaccines contain a different weaker virus that contains COVID-19 genetic material which then triggers our memory T and B cells. The end result of all of these vaccine types is similar in that they all trigger memory T and B cells but they have different methods of getting there.
Currently, we have two COVID-19 vaccines available to fight the pandemic, from Pfizer and Moderna. Both are mRNA vaccines. The Pfizer vaccine requires two shots that are 21 days apart. It is recommended for people 16 years of age or older. The most common side effects include pain, swelling, or redness at the site of injection, as well as chills, fatigue, and headache. The studies show that this vaccine is 95% effective. The Moderna vaccine requires two shots that are 28 days apart. It is recommended for people 18 years of age or older. And the side effect profile is very similar to the Pfizer vaccine. The studies show that this vaccine is 94.1% effective.
Despite vaccinations, testing will continue to be crucial in containing the virus and ending the pandemic. According to theCDC3, testing should be performed for several reasons, including
- People who have symptoms of COVID 19
- People who have been within 6 feet for 15 minutes or more with someone who has confirmed COVID 19
- People who have been in activities that prevent social distancing (travel, mass gatherings, etc)
- People who have been asked by a health provider to get tested
With a combination of continued testing, mask wearing, social distancing, and vaccinations, we will get through this pandemic. For more information on COVID-19 testing, please visit ourwebsite.
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At StrIVeMD Wellness & Ketamine in the Chicago and Cincinnati areas, we offer many services that can help during this pandemic. Our intravenous ketamine infusions can help with the depression and anxiety that can easily worsen during these stressful times. Our intravenous immunity booster infusion can help boost your immune system to better fight infections and boost your overall wellness and energy. In addition, at our Chicago area location, we offer rapidCOVID-19 testing, available right now. Our accurate results come back within 15 minutes! With a team comprised of physicians board-certified in adult and pediatric anesthesiology, neurology, pediatrics, pain medicine, and functional medicine, we are the most comprehensive team from the nation’s best medical institutions to take care of patients of any age including adolescents and geriatric patients. We work with your mental health provider and primary care physician to ensure your safety and the effectiveness of our program. If you or someone you know has a mental health disease that is worsening, fighting waning energy levels, or need to quickly rule out COVID-19 infection, call us at 847-213-0990 or email us atinfo@strivemdwellness.comto see how we can help.
- 1https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
- 2https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/how-they-work.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fvaccines%2Fabout-vaccines%2Fhow-they-work.html
- 3https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/testing.html