A: About 70-90% of the population will need to get the COVID-19 vaccine to stop transmission. If vaccine acceptance is low, it could take until late 2022 to reach herd immunity. If vaccine acceptance is high, we could be well on our way by this summer. The good news: people are reporting less hesitancy and Read more…
R: El próximo grupo que se vacunará en EE.UU., con el pegajoso título de “Fase 1b”, incluirá a personas de 75 años o más, además de trabajadores esenciales de primera línea. Eso incluye: 👩🏫 Maestros, personal de apoyo educativo y trabajadores de guarderías; 👩🚒 Bomberos y policía; 👩🌾 Trabajadores de la agricultura y la alimentación; Read more…
A: While we don’t yet know for sure, it does not look like the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID19 vaccines cause Bell’s palsy. Bell’s palsy is a condition that causes weakness on one side of the face. The facial nerve (the seventh cranial nerve for all of you keeping track out there) is responsible for movement Read more…
A: Realistically, no. Biologically, the chances of long-term effects are vanishingly small. TL;DR: Serious vaccine side effects are exceedingly rare and occur hours or days after vaccination, not months or years. The risk of infection and long-term health effects of COVID-19 infection are high and very real. We *really* feel the sentiment behind this common Read more…
A: A two dose schedule was proven to work and authorized for both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. One dose provides sub-optimal immunity and has not been studied in clinical trials designed to test their efficacy. Giving one dose of these vaccines to the most vulnerable populations would leave them without full immune protection. Read more…
A: Dr. Fauci to cute kids: “Hang in there – coupla’ more months and we’ll be in good shape!” We Nerdy Girls are big #faucifangirls. We’re also moms. So, when Dr. Fauci spoke to kids (and Elmo!) recently about COVID vaccines, we listened up! Here’s the TL;DR on kids and COVID vaccine trials: ➡️ Safety Read more…
Hello everyone! Dr. Sarah Coles here, one of your Nerdy Girls. I’m very proud to announce that this weekend I was able to get my first dose of the Covid19 vaccine! It was a powerful experience for me, and I wanted to take a moment to share with you why I got the vaccine. As Read more…
A: The next group to be vaccinated, with the catchy title “Phase 1b”, will include people who are 75 years and older, plus frontline essential workers. That includes 👩🏫teachers, educational support staff & daycare workers; 👩🚒 firefighters & police; 👩🌾 food & agriculture workers; ⚖️ jail and prison staff; 📮 postal workers; 🚍 public transit Read more…
A: Personal beliefs and experiences inform varying levels of acceptance of the Covid-19 vaccine now becoming available to essential workers in healthcare settings. Listen to the reasons for concern, respond with compassion and facts, and make it easy to take actionable steps forward. REALLY LISTEN. Not all vaccine hesitancy stems from the same concerns. Creating Read more…
A: Yes. We don’t yet know whether the vaccines prevent someone from being infectious. The existing COVID-19 vaccine trials focused on a specific endpoint – symptomatic COVID-19 disease. We know that both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were close to 95% efficacious in preventing disease (YAY!!). But wouldn’t we expect the vaccine to also stop Read more…
Today on the Live Q&A, we welcome Dr. Emily Smith of sister COVID info page, Friendly Neighbor Epidemiologist! We’ll be doing a bit of a Christmas theme today–don’t miss it! ➡️ Welcome to Dr. Emily Smith! (0:00 – 8:25) Related link ➡️ Safe Advent & Xmas celebrations (8:50 – 14:47) Related link ➡️ Public health Read more…
A: Those who have had COVID19 are recommended to receive the vaccine. Data from the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine trials demonstrated safety in participants that have had COVID19 previously. Scientists are hopeful that the vaccine will offer a higher level of protection than immunity to natural infection. Although the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine excluded participants Read more…
A: Like a healthy democracy, a healthy data system relies on a sophisticated set of checks and balances. The FDA’s system is highly protective against data hanky-panky.* Today an FDA advisory panel meets to discuss Moderna’s vaccine data – with an eye towards recommending emergency use authorization. Your Nerdy Girls look forward to watching all Read more…
A: Healthcare workers and people in long-term care facilities are starting to get the Covid19 vaccine this week. As vaccine supplies improve, more folks will start to get vaccinated in the coming weeks and months. While safety data from the clinical trials is very good, safety monitoring is ongoing and appropriately a priority. Several existing Read more…
Today, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended the first COVID-19 vaccine! The ACIP met to review and make recommendations on the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, which was given emergency use authorization by the FDA last night. You can read all the information presented at the ACIP meeting (see the link at the bottom). Read more…
A: No. There is no truth to this rumor. There is nothing in the human genome that is similar to the spike protein that each of the vaccines are targeting to prevent COVID-19. 💉First of all, rumors about similarity between the placenta proteins and spike protein just do not pass the sniff test. Remember: extraordinary Read more…
A: It’s a big process with lots of steps and players! These include clinical development and testing, review by the FDA, review by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, distribution to communities, and finally, vaccination. Let’s run down the process. The Covid vaccine is on the horizon! Hooray! The FDA is meeting TODAY (watch it Read more…
A: Recovering from Covid-19 provides some immunity, but the strength and length of time you keep that immunity are not consistent from person to person. Think of your Covid-19 immunity as an unlabeled bottle of sunscreen. The level of protection provided is hard to predict. Sunscreen is designed to reduce the amount of UVA and Read more…
R. Los efectos secundarios más comunes de las vacunas Moderna y Pfizer incluyen dolor de brazo, dolores musculares, fatiga, dolor de cabeza y fiebre. Esto no significa que se haya infectado con COVID o que haya un problema con la vacuna. Estos efectos secundarios son señales de que su sistema inmunológico está funcionando. Enfocamos en Read more…
