Thread by @PSampathkumarMD

FAQs on Pfizer COVID vaccine.
Thread

1.Which COVID vaccine should I get? Is one better than others?

You should get the vaccine you are offered. Getting a large number of people vaccinated is more important than differences in vaccine efficacy

2.Who cannot get the Pfizer COVID Vaccine?

Under the current EUA - those younger than 16 years cannot get the vaccine.

3. What about people with allergies? Can they get vaccinated?

Two nurses in the UK had a serious allergic reaction to the vaccine. Both had history of serious allergic reactions in the past that were severe enough to require that they carry epi pens.

It is unclear what component of the vaccine they reacted to, but polyethylene glycol could be the culprit.

⁃Those with seasonal allergies, food allergies, allergy to oral medications can safely get vaccinated

⁃Those with serious allergy to injectable medications, should discuss vaccination with a healthcare professional and be observed for 30 minutes after vaccination.

⁃Anyone who has a serious allergic reaction to the first dose should not get the second dose

4. Pregnancy and lactation:

Pregnant and breastfeeding women were not included in the clinical trials. But there is no theoretical risk and these groups have the option of receiving vaccine

5. What about those who are immunosuppressed?

Experience with other vaccines suggests that this vaccines will not be as effective in immunosuppressed people, but it is unlikely to cause harm and hence they should receive the vaccine.

6. Why are healthcare workers & nursing home residents first in line to get vaccine?

While vaccine doses are limited, tough decisions need to be made. Initial doses are being prioritized for those at highest risk of exposure (HCWs) & those at highest risk of bad outcomes.

7. Timing vis a vis other vaccines.

CDC recommends no vaccine 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after the COVID vaccine. However, vaccines unlikely to interfere though, so if given inadvertently, the dose counts, and does not need to be repeated.

8.What are the side-effects I can expect?

Primary side effects are pain at the injection site, head ache, muscle aches, fatigue and fever. Side effects typically occur on day off and up to 2 days after vaccination.

Side effects are more likely to occur after second dose and in those under 55 than in older people. It is Ok to take Tylenol or Ibuprofen to manage symptoms

Few other points

9. The two mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) are not interchangeable - both doses in the series must be from the same manufacturer.

10. For now, being vaccinated does not mean you can stop wearing a mask as we don’t know yet whether the vaccine prevents asymptomatic infections and transmission.

This recommendation will change once most people get vaccinated.

11. If you’ve had COVID infection it is recommended that you get vaccinated - but you could wait 90 days from infection to allow others to get vaccinated first.

12. If you received monoclonal antibody for COVID, wait 90 days from the dose to get the COVID vaccine

These FAQs are for the Pfizer mRNA vaccine. But likely apply to the Moderna mRNA vaccine as well. General principles on priority, timing, masks apply to other vaccines as well. But specific precautions for allergies, immunosuppressed, pregnancy, lactation will differ. Will update