Vaccines

Q: Is this a worry with the vaccine? What about with reinfection?” A: Antibody-dependent enhancement or ADE is not a concern with the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and will not likely be a concern with the other vaccines that will be approved. Vaccine developers and the FDA are all looking carefully for any evidence of Read more…

Q: Why can’t we get available vaccine doses administered more quickly? A: Many factors: The holidays, lack of funding, staffing and logistical challenges, getting large-scale vaccine operations up and running, sticking to prioritization schemes, and lower take-up among high-priority groups. Things should be speeding up in the next few weeks. It’s frustrating to see statistics Read more…

A: The Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine was granted emergency authorization & the British government has decided to give as many people a first vaccine dose while delaying second doses *up to* 12 weeks after the first. A big news week here in the UK where this Nerdy Girl (Jenn) lives. Besides the worldwide focus on the new Read more…

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…

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: 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: 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…