Gretchen Peterson

What exactly is in the vaccine from Johnson & Johnson-Janssen (and, what isn’t)?

Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines

A: The active ingredient in the vaccine from Johnson & Johnson-Janssen (also called the J&J vaccine) is a genetically modified version of a virus that normally causes the common cold. The vaccine also contains two ingredients to balance its pH, ethanol, two ingredients that keep it from getting clumpy, salt, and water. It does NOT Read more…

Are we setting ourselves up for a worsening of common illnesses by isolating our immune systems this year?

Staying Safe

A: Celebrate the mild flu season and take what we have learned this year to inform future behavior. Harmful germs are not going away. Illness from bacteria and viruses that make us sick do not “strengthen” the immune system and contribute to significant complications and death. Preserve your immune system by maintaining exposure to good Read more…

Meet Those Nerdy Girls – Dr. Sarah Coles

Uncategorized

This week in Meet the Nerdy Girls, we’re delighted to introduce our readers to Dr. Sarah Coles, MD. Dr. Coles is a board-certified family physician practicing in both hospital and outpatient settings in Phoenix, Arizona. She sees patients in every stage of life, for any concern. She came to Dear Pandemic’s team as a 1-month Read more…

¿Es normal tener dolor en la axila o en el pecho después de la vacuna COVID-19?

Clinical Symptoms Posts en Español Vaccines

R: Es muy posible y normal, específicamente en el lado en el que recibió la vacuna. En todo su cuerpo, cientos de ganglios linfáticos funcionan para filtrar su líquido linfático. Cuando su cuerpo está generando una respuesta inmune, después de una infección o una vacuna, estos pueden inflamarse con líquido. Los ganglios linfáticos se encuentran Read more…

Will the vaccines prevent Long Covid?

Vaccines

A: Likely! There is good biological reason to think so, but like many things we lack hard data. Many followers have asked this great question in recent weeks. Clinical trials have shown the vaccines are AMAZING at preventing serious disease and death. But what about those mild infections after a vaccine, could they still lead Read more…

What are the rules for family get-togethers with vaccinated adults and unvaccinated kids?

Families/Kids Infection and Spread

A: We offer a few guiding principles. Severe complications of COVID-19 infection are significantly decreased among the vaccinated but infection risk is not zero. Unvaccinated people remain at risk of infection +/- complications. Determine what is important. Maintain as many risk mitigation strategies as realistic. This is not over yet. ☠️ Vaccination greatly decreases the Read more…

How do we overcome mistrust in the vaccines, especially with Black Americans?

Social and Racial Justice Vaccines

A: As many as half of Black Americans have expressed reluctance to take the COVID-19 vaccines (1), which some attribute to the enduring legacy of the egregious Tuskegee Syphilis Study. Reticence to take the coronavirus vaccine is complicated. Listening and understanding history is critical. Contrary to many peoples’ understanding of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, Black Read more…

Baby Sleep Day

Families/Kids Mental Health

The Nerdy Girls over at Dear Pandemic are thrilled to participate in Baby Sleep Day (Visit Pediatric Sleep Council for live Q&A all day or Baby Sleep Day for the schedule of experts). Healthy sleep during a pandemic can be tough – especially for parents who spend a lot of energy balancing their family and Read more…

Does the COVID vaccine only last 90 days?!

Vaccines

A: No. There is really no reason to think that protection from the vaccines wears off after 90 days. We know the vaccines last longer than 90 days. But we don’t know how long. The CDC recently updated their guidance about quarantining after an exposure and included some changes for people who have been vaccinated. Read more…