Thread by @justhuman501c3

1/ Last week, Dr @celinegounder spoke at 2 virtual town halls to answer questions about COVID, vaccines, & misinformation.

Read on in the thread below to learn about some of the topics she covered w/ Sen @LizKrueger & Assemblyman @JeffreyDinowitz w/ @tarahaelle.

2/ Q: Are the vaccines safe?

A: Yes. Over a BILLION doses have been administered world-wide. We have tremendous experience and data that we’ve gathered about the vaccines. The vaccines are VERY safe. Getting COVID itself is not.

3/ Q: Are there long-term side-effects from the vaccine?

A: No. Based on our experience with all vaccines known to man going back to the smallpox vaccine, we know that if you’re going to have a side-effect from vaccination, it will show up within 2 months of vaccination.

4/ Q: How important is a booster shot?

A: An additional dose would benefit certain populations: those over 65, the highly immunocompromised, and nursing home residents.

https://twitter.com/celinegounder/status/1438253238235635715?s=20

4a/ I say ADDITIONAL doses, not BOOSTER, for a specific reason. It is a 3rd dose in a regimen. Many vaccines are given in 2 to 4 doses. When the word booster is used, it makes it sound like we’ll need shots every year, when that’s not actually the case.
nytimes.com/2021/08/09/opi…

5/ Q: Can you mix & match vaccine types for that 3rd dose?

A: The only vaccine that can be given as a booster right now is from Pfizer. It was the first to roll out, so we’ve had more time to collect data on the need for a booster. Moderna and J&J data will soon follow.

5a/ Based off of @NIH studies being done in Europe, on AstraZeneca (an adenovirus vector vaccine, like J&J), it does appear that a mix & match regimen of J&J followed by a dose of an mRNA vaccine, like Moderna or Pfizer, might generate a more robust immune response.

Stay tuned.

6/ Q: When might we be hearing about children under 12 to receive vaccination?

A: Pfizer has collected the data and is preparing their application FDA Emergency Use Authorization of its vaccine in the 5-11 age group.

6a/ A: If all goes smoothly, the FDA is likely to authorize Pfizer’s vaccine for use in kids 5-11 by Halloween. FDA authorization for the Moderna vaccine in kids 5-11 is likely to follow soon after.

We expect authorization for kids under 5 will come through in early 2022.

7/ Q: Why do people who had COVID still need to be vaccinated?

A: Your immune response from an infection is highly unpredictable. Some have very strong & long-lasting immune responses, but many/most do not, leaving you vulnerable to re-infection.

7a/ A: This is especially true when it comes to variants. By definition, some variants are more likely to evade your immune response to prior infection. We saw this to be true with the P.1 variant in Manaus, Brazil.

LISTEN/READ: bit.ly/2P3n9EX

8/ Q: How does community transmission affect new variants?

A: You stop variants from emerging by stopping transmission. This means vaccination, masking, & good ventilation. Every time the virus transmits from person to person, it has an opportunity to mutate & produce a variant.

9/ Q: When should we be wearing masks, if we’re vaccinated?

A: It depends on the level of community spread in your area. If the transmission rate is high, there’s more virus circulating. Your risk of getting sick is much lower than not being vaccinated, but it’s not zero.

9a/ A: It is still best to wear masks indoors, in areas with poor ventilation, or in densely crowded areas (indoors OR outdoors).

A: 100% yes. The vaccines are proven to be safe & effective in pregnant & nursing women. If you get COVID during your pregnancy, it can be deadly for you and your baby. Please get vaccinated.

LISTEN/READ: bit.ly/3xnhmuK

11/ Q: What is your position on treatment of COVID patients with ivermectin?

A: Ivermectin is an experimental treatment that has been shown to be ineffective and dangerous. People should NOT take ivermectin for the treatment of COVID.

11a/ A: If you are going to “do your research” — don’t use social media, don’t Google. Google’s algorithm will take you down a rabbit hole of mis-/dis-information. Get a degree in epidemiology, virology, immunology, or infectious diseases. If not, talk to your doctor.

For more information on COVID vaccines, check out our "Illustrated Guide to Vaccines: COVID-19 Edition" here: justhumanproductions.org/the-science-of…