FDA will review data for authorizing the 1st vaccine to prevent COVID-19 tomorrow. The vaccine is made with an exciting new technology, mRNA. I'm sharing some information from @CDCgov about mRNA vaccines & how we got here so quickly without compromising effectiveness & safety. 1/
What is mRNA? It's a "molecular blueprint" for a cell to make proteins. In this case, mRNA instructs our own cells where the vaccine is injected to make a protein found on the surface of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Our immune system then develops a protective response against it. 2/
In contrast, most vaccines use weakened or inactivated versions or components of a virus or bacteria to stimulate the body’s immune response. Weakened live virus vaccines like MMR & varicella work by replicating in our cells using the vaccine virus' mRNA. 3/
mRNA vaccines do not contain a virus or create a virus & mRNA does not get into the nucleus of our cells or into our DNA or our genetic material or persist in our bodies. mRNA vaccines cannot cause an infection. Enzymes in the body break down mRNA after the vaccine works. 4/
mRNA & other COVID-19 vaccines were developed more rapidly than previous vaccines because several steps in the testing & manufacturing of vaccine were done simultaneously instead of one after the next. But no safety or effectiveness study steps were skipped or shortened. 5/
COVID-19 mRNA vaccines will go through the same rigorous safety assessment as all vaccines before they are authorized or approved for use in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration. This includes large clinical trials and data review by a safety monitoring board. 6/
Guidelines from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on testing of Covid-19 vaccine candidates indicate that no compromises will be made when it comes to evaluating safety and efficacy. 7/ fda.gov/regulatory-inf…
A difference btwn the 1st COVID-19 vaccines & earlier vaccines is we have less experience initially to know if rare side effects may appear when many more people are vaccinated. This trade off is outweighed by the benefits of effective vaccine against COVID-19 sooner vs later. 8/
There will be multiple systems in place to continue to monitor vaccine safety even after a vaccine is approved. But most vaccine side effects appear during the required clinical trial study time frame & will be evaluated before authorization. 9/n cdc.gov/coronavirus/20…
Here's a good info site from CDC. 10/10
cdc.gov/coronavirus/20…

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More from @DocJeffD

11 Nov
Significant update from CDC states mask use protects not only others but the wearer: "Masks also help reduce inhalation of these droplets by the wearer (“filtration for personal protection”)." 1/n

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) cdc.gov/coronavirus/20… via @CDCgov
"The community benefit of masking for SARS-CoV-2 control is due to the combination of these effects; individual prevention benefit increases with increasing numbers of people using masks consistently and correctly." 2/2
Masks should be well made & fit well (snug w/out gaps) "Multiple layers of cloth with higher thread counts have demonstrated superior performance compared to single layers of cloth with lower thread counts, in some cases filtering nearly 50% of fine particles less than 1 micron."
Read 4 tweets
11 Nov
I'm worried about the direction our COIVD-19 outbreak is heading and the increasing impact on the health of our community, our healthcare system and our economy. COVID-19 is a viral wildfire, and we are the fuel. kingcounty.gov/depts/health/c…
1/n
The pandemic fatigue that we’re all experiencing is real. I’m certainly feeling it and I want this outbreak to end yesterday. I also understand that it’s hard to make sacrifices when things may seem OK in your own personal circles. 2/n
Everywhere we gather, especially indoors – at work or socially, in groups for any purpose – recreation, worship, dining, social event or party – poses a risk for spreading COVID-19 = stepped up precautions are needed. Let’s not throw more human logs on the fire. 3/n
Read 9 tweets
15 Jul
@CT_Bergstrom @CDCgov A few quick thoughts: In an ideal world, testing everyone at colleges & universities might make sense (depending whether the result lead to meaningful actions that decrease disease and if frequently enough...@DrTomFrieden 1/n
@CT_Bergstrom @CDCgov @DrTomFrieden 2/n...since one-time screening will miss both incubating and subsequent infections, and if testing capacity is adequate. In the real word, is screening millions of US college students possible currently? Do we rescreen after breaks?
@CT_Bergstrom @CDCgov @DrTomFrieden 3/n What level of community transmission makes this unlikely to provide significant benefit? Most communities across the US currently don't have enough testing capacity to meet ongoing community disease control needs.
Read 7 tweets
23 May
What can you do to keep COVID-19 cases as low as possible & stay healthy even if your community is "getting back to business?"
- Remember COVID-19 can spread BEFORE symptoms appear.
- Continue to avoid non-essential close contact with others to the extent possible.
1/n
- Maintain physical distance when out of the home & limit the size of gatherings.
- Understand that poorly-ventilated, enclosed spaces are higher risk than well-ventilated or outdoor spaces.
2/n
- Longer contact with others is higher risk than shorter contact, even when distancing is possible.
- Contact with more people is higher risk than with few people.
- Avoid contact with ill people.
- Wear a cloth mask or face covering in public.
3/n
Read 5 tweets

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