COVID and flu vaccine information reported to council – Cherokee Phoenix

TAHLEQUAH As the COVID-19 and influenza seasons ramp up, Cherokee Nation citizens and the public are encouraged to get vaccinations.

In the Tribal Councils October Health Committee meeting, Cherokee Nation Public Health Medical Director Dr. David Gahn provided information regarding COVID and the vaccine. Gahn said it is still unknown whether COVID will be seasonal once a year like the flu or twice a year as seen this year.

The good news is that the bump that we had in August and September wasnt too horrible, he said. People were still getting very sick when they get COVID, sick meaning feeling bad. Our hospitalizations werent overwhelming at all. Our systems could handle that. So, we dont know whats going to happen in the next year. Hopefully itll be seasonal just like the flu, but we could have another peak in the summer next year.

Based on recent research, Gahn said the protection rate is quicker after getting a vaccine.

The recent research Ive looked through is that when we first started getting COVID vaccines and booster, it was two to three weeks, they said, before you were fully protected and now, theyre saying a week because most of us have been exposed and immune system has seen this already so its ready to go to work when you get the current vaccine. In a week you should consider yourself protected, he said.

Tribal Councilor Danny Callison asked why after an individual receives a vaccination, they could sometimes feel sick or have symptoms.

Its not unique to COVID people having symptoms after receiving a vaccine, Gahn said. When you bring your kids and grandkids in to get their vaccines, they get Tylenol before they get the shot because theyll often get a fever afterwards. This is your immune system appropriately reacting to being challenged by a foreign substance. Your body has a really beautiful way of determining self from not self.

Gahn went on to explain that when a foreign substance enters the body, the body determines whether or not it needs to defend itself, and develops memory of that over time.

Your immune system causes inflammation, which can manifest as fever and chills, body aches and pains, runny nose, those things. So, the vaccine can make you feel bad. Thats why we dont encourage anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen or aspirin when you get the vaccine. But Tylenol doesnt dampen that immune response, it just helps with preventing the symptoms from occurring, he said.

Gahn added that even if an individual does not develop symptoms, it does not mean his or her body isnt reacting to the vaccine.

COVID and flu shots are available through Cherokee Nation Health Services and can be received at the same time. Visit health.cherokee.org for more information.

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COVID and flu vaccine information reported to council - Cherokee Phoenix