Soooooo…. It’s been a while. Sorry about that folks, life has been busy and I finally have an opportunity to get back to helping educate you about your health! I’ve been asked multiple questions by patients, texts, calls, emails, and DMs regarding the COVID vaccines. So let’s get cracking!

What does getting the vaccine feel like and what should I expect after each dose?

I am fortunate to have received both doses of the Moderna mRNA vaccine. The injection itself is easy-peasy. Quick jab that you barely feel and it’s over before you know it. About 6-8 hours after the first injection I felt soreness in my arm. I slept like a baby that night and the following day was slightly tired with persistent soreness. After I hit the 24 hour mark, I felt back to normal with the exception of a mildly swollen and tender lymph node in my armpit on the same side as the arm where I received the vaccine (this is expected in some people). A month later, I got my second shot. About 6 hours after the vaccine, I developed fatigue, headache, and a sore arm. I decided to head to bed early…. The next morning I woke up feeling like I was hungover (extraordinarily rare event for me, but you never forget what it feels like, even if just once). Bad headache, body aches, chills, sweats, fever, dizziness, nausea, and significant fatigue. All signs that my immune system was doing its job and the vaccine was working. I went to bed that night and poof, woke up as if nothing happened. I have had patients, friends, family members, and colleagues who have had a varying array of side effects. Some did not experience anything other than some mild arm soreness while others had a similar experience to me with either their first or second shot. Sadly, it’s kind of a crapshoot as to whether or not you will have side effects from the first dose, second dose, both, or neither. Either way, harmless side effects are much better than death or hospitalization from a disease that we now have a vaccine against. Of note, everyone who has had the vaccine has told me that all of their symptoms disappeared after 24-36 hours after their injection which is consistent with the data.

These vaccines are 95% effective, does that mean 5% of people will die or get COVID-19?

So the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines are found to be 95% effective. That means that 95% or 95 out of every 100 people who get the vaccine, will not catch COVID-19. From all the current evidence and data we have about these vaccines, if you are among the 5% who may still get the COVID-19 infection, you will not die or be hospitalized from the virus. These vaccines have shown that 100% of everyone who completes both doses, will not die or be hospitalized from COVID-19. This is exactly what one could ask for in a vaccine. We know at this point the vaccines are safe and the risk of long term effects related to COVID-19 are far worse than any side effect from the vaccines. Even the newly authorized, Johnson and Johnson, vaccine has 76% effectiveness but still prevents death and hospitalization 100% percent of the time. If you ask me, 24 hours of feeling lousy is well worth the peace of mind knowing that I won’t die or be intubated as a result of COVID-19.

Do the vaccines prevent transmission of the virus?

As of right now, official data is still pending. We need more evidence to make a firm statement about whether or not the vaccines definitively prevent transmission. Currently, there is some evidence to suggest that transmission is greatly decreased in those who are vaccinated with both he Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. There is still more research to be done, but so far the data is pretty convincing.

After I’m fully vaccinated, do I have to still wear a mask and socially distance?

Yes and no. So until everyone is vaccinated and we have convincing proof that transmission is not possible after vaccination, it is wise to wear a mask, wash your hands, and physically distance. Now what if your two best friends are fully vaccinated and you are as well. While the CDC has not officially made this statement (potentially speculated to make that call this week), it is likely safe to spend time with fully vaccinated individuals. However, if you are a caregiver to someone who is high risk or interacting with individuals who were not vaccinated, mask wearing, distancing, and hand washing are crucial infection control measures.

If I had COVID, why do I need to get vaccinated?

While COVID-19 infections provide some antibodies and protection against future infections, a vaccine will bolster a more robust immune response providing much greater protection. We don’t have conclusive data showing whether or not COVID-19 infections prevent hospitalization or death. The vaccine data is much more convincing therefore it is best to be vaccinated.

I’m pregnant, should I get the vaccine?

So here is the short and skinny on this. There is no conclusive evidence regarding the safety in pregnancy. However, having said this, we know that COVID-19 poses a great risk to the health of a pregnant woman and the fetus. We know inactivated vaccines are safe in pregnancy and the mRNA vaccines have great safety data in adults and the elderly so, theoretically, it is thought to be safe in pregnant women but not proven. Studies are ongoing and will hopefully include pregnant women however the largest medical associations for pregnant women (American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology as well as the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine) state that a pregnant woman should not be denied a vaccine on the basis of her pregnancy and can be considered as a candidate if appropriate in that specific situation. I have many friends, colleagues, and family members who have had the vaccine while pregnant without any issues and felt comfortable getting it. Others had some hesitation but after talking with their primary care provider, OB/GYN, or maternal fetal medicine specialist, felt convinced of its safety and made the choice to get the vaccine.

Does this vaccine cause infertility?

No. Current data does not suggest that this is possible. This idea was first postulated by a scientist in an article which is always important to question all safety variables when creating any treatment of vaccine for use in the general public. Evidence supports that this is not true and this should not be a concern when deciding on getting the vaccine.

Will the mRNA vaccines change my DNA?

Absolutely NOT! It is physiologically impossible for this mRNA vaccine to change your DNA. That is not how mRNA works. These strands of mRNA are very specific instructions on how to make a very specific protein and are destroyed after they’ve been used in the body (not long after the injection actually). This would be like buying a chair from Ikea and using the instructions and parts to make a computer with the chair materials. Can’t happen, won’t happen. Your DNA is safe from this vaccine. As someone who is a molecular biology nerd and has conducted research in this realm, your genes are safe from this vaccine. Sadly you won’t be able to lift a car over your head or swing from webs after the shot (as much as you might want to).

If I get the vaccine, how long am I protected for?

Great question here. Unfortunately, we are still collecting data about this from ongoing studies while also taking into account these new COVID-19 variants (mutated strains). As of right now there is evidence to suggest minimum protection of three months after the full vaccination doses however studies are ongoing and it is likely it will offer at the very least, risk reduction for death and hospitalization for much longer. Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, and Moderna have already been studying their vaccines against the new variants emerging around the world as well as testing how long the immunity lasts. Also, each company is looking at booster shots that cover these variants. The good news is, is that the science and technology exists and we now know how to map the mRNA sequences to create these vaccines from the variants in a very short period of time.

Ba-deep ba-deep, that’s all folks! Keep the questions coming and I’ll keep the answers flowing. I am working on some new videos so expect some coming soon! Until next time…stay safe, be well!