Category: Covid-19 Vaccine

Dr. Nicole Linder has cared for countless COVID-19 patients throughout the pandemic, but one very special patient was on her mind as she spoke with reporters Thursday, Sept. 9, about the need to get more Michiganders vaccinated.

Linder, who serves as chief hospitalist for OSF St. Francis Hospital Medical Group in Escanaba, said she has cared for a patient named Kathy for the last three weeks, who had refused the vaccine adamantly before contracting COVID-19.

The woman voiced regret upon being admitted, and spent her time in the hospital calling friends and family who, like her, had refused to be vaccinated. Linder said Kathy convinced at least six people to get the shot before her condition worsened and she was sent home to spend her final days in hospice care with her family.

It was too late for her, Linder said. Despite everything that could possibly be done for her, shes going to lose her battle and lose her life. And shes vivacious and gregarious and just a wonderful person and this did not have to happen. Her family didnt have to lose her.

Linder shared her patients story, with her permission, but provided limited details. She hugged her and said goodbye earlier this week, noting that her death is imminent and she wanted to be at home with her family when she died.

The Upper Peninsula doctor spoke Thursday about her experience with COVID-19 patients in recent months, the vast majority of whom have declined to get vaccinated and wound up seriously ill from a coronavirus infection. In Delta County, where she works, 53% of residents had gotten a first shot as of Sept. 8, and 57% were fully vaccinated.

Im fatigued, and I am heartsick and Im tired of watching people suffer needlessly and die of a disease that could have been prevented by a simple and safe and effective vaccine, Linder said. I dont want to watch my patients families suffer with the grief of this and also the guilt if they played some role in their family members decision not to be vaccinated.

One of the most common reasons she hears for why people didnt get vaccinated was because they dont want to inject some untested or foreign substance into their body.

I dont think that people realize that if they do become ill enough to be hospitalized, theyre going to be injected with a lot of foreign substances and most of them less proven than the COVID vaccine, she said. ... I think people overestimate the effectiveness of the treatments that we have for COVID in comparison to the vaccine.

Linder noted that full vaccination leaves people with a .001% chance of dying from a breakthrough COVID-19 infection. The available vaccines have gone through rigorous testing and offer significant protection against severe illness and death from COVID-19.

Pfizers two-dose vaccine has been granted full approval for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for individuals 16 year and older. Additional vaccines by Moderna and Johnson & Johnson offer similar protection against severe COVID-19 illness, and have received emergency use authorization following clinical trials and review by an independent advisory committee made up of vaccine and disease experts.

The best treatment for COVID is to never get it in the first place, Linder said. There really arent any miracle cures, despite what some of the media figures have led the public to believe.

As of Tuesday, Sept. 7, about 61% of Michigan residents 12 and older had gotten a first dose of vaccine, and 56.2% had been fully vaccinated. Vaccination rates remain higher among those 50 and older, with the lowest rates coming from teens and those in their 20s and 30s.

Vaccines are readily available at local pharmacies, health systems, clinics, and health departments. To find a vaccine near you, visit Michigans COVID-19 vaccine website or go to VaccineFinder.org.

Read more on MLive:

Weighing the risks of COVID vaccines against the risk of the COVID virus

Michigan researchers estimate combined vaccination, natural immunity rate

School COVID outbreaks quadruple, total clusters climb 18% in Michigan

What we know at this point about natural immunity to COVID-19

Read more:

Death is imminent for Michigan woman who opposed COVID-19 vaccination and regretted decision - MLive.com

COVID-19 vaccines to be required for health workers, prison guards in Nevada  KRNV My News 4

Link:

COVID-19 vaccines to be required for health workers, prison guards in Nevada - KRNV My News 4

"We are now in a desperate but unrecognized race of variant versus vaccine, of ignorance versus knowledge, of disease versus health," said Mayo Clinic's ubiquitous face of COVID-19 messaging on Friday, Sept. 10.

"And we are very much losing the game."

It was an unusual dose of tough love for the vaccinologist, but it would be for any mouthpiece of the button-down health system, a brand known for white-glove health care services and disciplined clinicians skilled at speaking with only equanimity and reserve.

But then again, we are very late in the day, in COVID-19 time.

Poland delivered these blunt remarks during a community forum hosted on Zoom by Mayo Clinic Health System in Southwest Wisconsin. The noon event was billed as an opportunity to "discuss the scientific truths supporting COVID-19 vaccines, as well as the harm posed by untruths."

But it didn't take long to cut to the people-problem: How the ongoing danger of COVID-19 now has little to do with the virus, and a lot to do with the gullibility of the American citizenry. How our high-powered health care is only as good as the receptivity of patients to being helped.

"The major distorting factor turns out to be human behavior," Poland said of the ongoing outbreak, pivoting to call out "the false presupposition of the democratization of expertise." In other words, "the idea that everybody's a scientist," as Poland put it. "And that everybody's ideas about science are equally valid."

Because they're not.

RELATED STORIES:

It was still early in the hour. Poland, who is also a seminary student, called for "a robust epistemology," a term from the philosophy books for the study of what constitutes truth, then capping it off with phrasing from the Book of Matthew.

"Remarkably, though there are ears to hear and eyes to see," he said, "people have turned a blind eye, a deaf ear to this information (that vaccines are safe and effective). We have about 30% of American adults who say there are no circumstances under which they would accept the vaccine," he said.

"That's a really remarkable thing to even imagine happening in a country that has more literacy, more money ... than any population in the history of mankind."

Faced with hard data and soft propaganda, America, he suggested, can no longer tell up from down and to a degree below that of survivors of state oppression.

"When we look at vaccine hesitancy," he said, "I think it's shocking to realize that we are just below Russia in terms of people trusting the scientific information they receive."

Calling the 27% of hospitalized with COVID-19 who are children "a stunning number," Poland laid blame at the feet of sloppy thinking.

"SARS-COV-2 is a science problem, a medical problem," he said. "If you abandon science as a way to determine truth, you enter into a world of hurt, as we have seen case after case after case in the media of people who reject vaccines for very uninformed reasons, and suffered devastating consequences."

The questions Friday were short and the answers were rote.

Can you say for sure that in five or 10 years we won't discover the vaccines cause neurological problems? Or infertility?

"By definition you can't answer that question," he replied. "We have not had five or 10 years experience with this. So the only thing we can do is appeal to the science."

All that being said, Poland added, "there is no vaccine whose side effects don't manifest within minutes," he said.

"The longest is about six weeks ... We're now almost a year out now. We have an extraordinarily robust surveillance system in the U.S. Other than the known issues, no new ones have popped up, including miscarriage, stillbirth and pregnancy related issues."

Dr. Gregory Poland, Mayo Clinic vaccinologist

Is it true, another person asked, that vaccines alter your genetic code? Can they rewrite your DNA?

Poland laughed.

"No. ... I wish we knew how to do that," he joked, "because there are a lot of diseases that we could cure if we knew how to do it. But it doesn't work that way."

Why is mainstream medicine ignoring cheap and effective treatments like ivermectin, asked another.

"The data ... there's the principle trial, the active six trial, and a host of other trials that are studying repurposed drugs," he said, ivermectin being one of them.

"To date. All. All. All of those studies have concluded there is no benefit from ivermectin. In fact, there is harm in the way the population is acquiring animal ivermectin and using it outside of medical prescription."

Asked to share tips on refuting misinformation, Poland seemed at a loss.

"The reason I don't have any hair is I have torn it out over 40 years trying to discover the reasons behind this."

In an earlier exchange, he tried to paint as simple of a picture as possible.

"It boils down to this: You get to choose which risks you want. That ignores your risk to other people, but you do. You only get three choices, whether you make a choice or not. Either you will get infected ... or you'll get vaccinated, or you'll go into complete isolation.

"Do harms come from vaccine? Yes, they do. Do they exceed those of not getting the vaccine? A definitive no."

Read more from the original source:

Analysis: Mayo doctor blunt about COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, 'We are very much losing the game' - Grand Forks Herald

Groton Electric Boat is prepared to comply with President Joe Bidens plan to mandate that all federal contractors comply with COVID-19 protocols, including a requirement that they be vaccinated against the disease.

In an email Friday, EB President Kevin Graney informed the submarine builder's workforce that the company will comply with all protocols, which are to be issued later this month.

These protocols are still in development and require no immediate action on the part of employers or their employees. , Graney wrote. As a federal contractor, Electric Boat will comply with these protocols. However, requirements are still evolving and remain unclear at this time.

For EB employees who work on federal property, including SUBASE New London, other public shipyards and in-service submarines, the Department of Defense continues to evolve their COVID-19 requirements related to access to these facilities, Graney wrote.

EB has encouraged employees to get vaccinated since the vaccine first became widely available, and continues to do so, according to Graney. EB makes the vaccine available at all company clinics and pharmacies.

EB employees are required to wear a mask indoors when they are unable to socially distance, regardless of their vaccination status.

Biden announced the federal governments new approach to the COVID-19 pandemic in a White House speech Thursday. His edict regarding vaccinations will apply to private businesses with 100 or more employees as well as health care workers at hospitals and other facilities that accept federal reimbursements, federal contractors and most federal workers.

Republican politicians and labor leaders have voiced opposition to Bidens plan.

b.hallenbeck@theday.com

Follow this link:

EB prepared to comply with Biden's COVID-19 vaccine mandate - theday.com

CNN

Want to go to a concert, gym, restaurant or start to travel? Proof of vaccination against Covid-19 is required in many places around the United States, including many employers and schools.

The background here is that we are seeing more vaccine mandates, both in the private and public sphere, but also in the ability of people to access certain venues, whether its restaurants, films or concerts, says Dr. William Moss, executive director of Johns Hopkins Universitys International Vaccine Access Center.

Businesses are doing this to keep their workers safe. As Moss says, They want to ensure when theyre bringing people together, whether its in the workplace or a retail store, that theyre protecting public health. And so theyre asking for documentation of an immunization status to reduce the risk of [Covid-19] transmission within their setting.

With proof of vaccination being required at more places, some people are laminating their cards, but Moss explains that will make it hard to update your card if a booster is necessary. I think it should all be documented on the same card. Thats the easiest way to do it. And obviously, if you laminate it, then you cant have that added in, he says.

He suggests getting a card holder instead. With the current cards we have, a clear plastic holder, but not a laminate. And then if you get a booster, there is space on the back of the card to write those.

Based on this information, we found highly rated vaccination card holders that will help protect your card against damage and keep it safe and easier to find.

Cobakuey Covid Vaccination Card Protector

Want to keep it super simple? Just slide your card into this waterproof, clear protector, seal the top and keep it in your purse or pocket. Theyre available in packs of three, five, 10, 20 and even 50, so youll have plenty for the whole family (and probably a few backups).

Sokurdeg CDC Covid Vaccination Card Protector With Lanyard

This vaccine card holder comes in five colors blue, green, red, yellow and a pastel blue and is transparent on both sides. It comes with a matching lanyard, so you can wear it around your neck if youre traveling.

Tigari Passport and Vaccine Card Holder Combo

If youre planning on traveling, especially internationally, this simple passport holder has a space for your vaccine card, which youre probably going to need. Available in nine colorways, with reinforced stitching, this cardholder is perfect for keeping your documents safe and organized.

HenneysBoutique Vaccination Passport Holder

Available in 11 rich colors, this genuine leather passport holder is as simple as it gets, with slots for your passport and a clear sleeve for your vaccination card. Reviewers love it.

ACdream Passport and Vaccine Card Holder Combo

Another passport and vaccine card holder, but this version comes with a pen, RFID blocking and slots for your credit cards and cash, making it a great travel accessory. Its available in 13 colors.

FairyDustDecals Covid-19 Vaccine Card Protective Sleeve

This simple plastic sleeve tells the world youre vaccinated before you even show your card, with a cute graphic of a bandage and a check mark.

QueentopazCreations Rifle Paper Co Vaccination Card Holder

If you want your vaccination card to look as girly as possible, take a look at these holders that use Rifle Paper Co fabric.

Access Denied Passport Holder Cover Wallet

This faux-leather passport holder with RFID blocking (to prevent electronic pickpocketing) is the perfect on-the-go companion, with three spots for credit cards, a window for your vax card, a slot for your boarding pass and space for your passport.

FamiliarPaws Leather Vaccine Card Holder With Key Ring

Love a monogram? These stylish leather card holders are really attractive, raves one reviewer, who wrote, This is exactly what I needed and its so gorgeous! The front is clear, and you can have your initials added to the back for a few dollars more.

EricScottLeathers Leather Monogram Vaccination Passport Holder

This genuine leather vaccination card and passport holder can be monogrammed with an initial, and is available in 10 fresh colors.

SparklePickleStore Vaccination Card Holder

For Harry Potter fans the world over, check out these vaccine card holders, embroidered with the saying: I solemnly swear I have been vaccinated. The clear plastic pocket on the back can hold your card.

EvtodiCom Passport Holder Personalized With CDC Holder

Another personalized option, available in over a dozen colors, with options for cute sayings and your name, this holder will keep your card safe in style.

PelleleatherDesign Personalized Vaccine Cover

Made from thick, soft natural leather, this personalized cover is one of the bestselling vaccine holders on Etsy. Available in nine colorways, the covers are waxed leather, giving them a matte look. You can add your initials in silver or gold.

Mugwump Vaccination Card Holder

These adorable travel-themed card holders are festooned with taxicabs, sailboats and cars on the outside, and gingham patterns on the inside. If we have to carry a vax card, why not keep it cute, right?

StudioPineapple Vaccine Card Holder

This bestselling card holder gives major Lisa Frank sticker collection vibes, with light-reflecting holographic material protecting your card. Its also super practical, with an O-ring and clasp, so you can hook it onto your purse or backpack for easy access.

See more here:

Keep your Covid-19 vaccination card safe with these 15 holders - CNN

Governor Tate Reeves held a press conference late Friday in response to President Joe Bidens announcement that he will attempt to mandate the COVID-19 vaccine across the country through the Department of Labor.

Reeves began by saying he believes that the only reason Biden came out with this plan, which is unconstitutional under his authority in the Executive branch, was simply a ploy to take the media attention off of the withdrawal from Afghanistan.

RELATED: Federal. Vaccine. Mandates.

Reeves first commented on the plan shortly after President Bidens press conference. He took to Twitter saying The President has no authority to require that Americans inject themselves because of their employment at a private business. The vaccine itself is life-saving, but this unconstitutional move is terrifying. This is still America, and we still believe in freedom from tyrants.

He later appeared on Fox News saying Mississippi will consider legal action against the overreach from the President regarding these vaccine mandates. At this time no executive order has been issued by Biden. However, the White House indicated the plan would take effect in the weeks to come.

Read more:

Reeves remarks on Biden's attempt to mandate COVID-19 vaccine with 6 point plan - Yall Politics

Diane Pantaleo, USA TODAY NETWORK| Kitsap Sun

Kitsap County has administered more than 286,761 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, as of Sept. 7, according to data from the Washington State Department of Health.

That's up very slightly by 0.78% from the previous week's tally of 284,539 COVID-19 doses administered.

In Kitsap County, 50% of people living in Kitsap County are fully vaccinated as of Sept. 7. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers someone fully vaccinated two weeks after they've been given a single-dose shot (Johnson & Johnson) or a second shot (either Pfizer or Moderna).

Washington reported 586,694 total cases of coronavirus, an increase of 4% from the week before.

The five counties with the highest percentage of their population fully vaccinated in Washington as of Sept. 7 are San Juan County (75%), Jefferson County (71%), King County (69%), Whatcom County (61%) and Snohomish County (59%).

Here are the latest numbers on COVID-19 vaccinations in Kitsap County as of Sept. 7:

For a county-by-county look at the vaccination rollout, see our COVID-19 vaccine tracker, which is updated daily.

We pull data on local vaccine distribution on a weekly basis. Check back for our next weekly update mid-week for the latest numbers.

See the original post here:

Kitsap County COVID-19 vaccine tracker: 50% of people fully vaccinated - Kitsap Sun

The FDA grants full approval for Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine

Experts suspect private companies were waiting on full approval before requiring the vaccination for workers.

USA TODAY, Storyful

WATERBURY Three Vermont state troopers who are accused of being involved in a scheme to create fraudulent COVID-19 vaccination cards have resigned, state officials said Tuesday.

Troopers Shawn Sommers and Raymond Witkowski resigned Aug. 10, a day after a fellow trooper told supervisors about the alleged scheme. Trooper David Pfindel resigned Sept. 3 following further investigation, according to a state police news release.

The three ex-troopers are suspected of having varying roles in the making of fraudulent vaccination cards, according to the release.

"The accusations in this case involve an extraordinary level of misconduct a criminal violation of the law and I could not be more upset and disappointed," Col. Matthew T. Birmingham, director of the Vermont State Police, said in the release.

"If these allegations are proved to be true, it is reprehensible that state troopers would manipulate vaccination cards in the midst of a pandemic, when being vaccinated is one of the most important steps anyone can take to keep their community safe from COVID-19," he added

Sommers and Witkowski both joined the Vermont State Police in July 2016. Pfindel was hired in January 2014, police said.

COVID-19 vaccines: Woman arrested for using fake 'Maderna' vaccine card during Hawaii trip

Need to show proof of COVID vaccination?: How to safely store vaccine info on your phone

Federal authorities are investigating the allegations. Vermont State Police declined to comment further due to the FBI investigation.

See the original post:

'Reprehensible:' State troopers accused in scheme to make fake COVID-19 vaccine cards - USA TODAY

COVID-19 vaccines are safe for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). But some MS medications could reduce the ability of the vaccines to protect against COVID-19. Still, experts conclude that the benefits of vaccination outweigh any risks.

Anyone with concerns about the safety of a COVID-19 vaccine should speak with a healthcare professional.

Having a lowers the overall risk of the disease. Being vaccinated also protects others, in the community and the population at large, and it means facing fewer restrictions on daily activities.

Keep reading to learn about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines for people with MS.

Stay informed with live updates on the current COVID-19 outbreak and visit our coronavirus hub for more advice on prevention and treatment.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society recommends that people with MS get vaccinated against COVID-19.

COVID-19 can be life threatening for anyone, but some MS-associated factors can increase the risk of a more serious outcome. These factors include, for example, certain MS treatments and the extent of disability.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society formed a group of researchers and medical experts to review the evidence and safety of COVID-19 vaccines for people with MS.

The review concluded that COVID-19 vaccines are safe for people with MS and do not have harmful interactions with MS medications.

COVID-19 can have severe consequences, and allowing the virus to continue spreading especially endangers the lives of people with vulnerabilities to infections.

Find other tips for preventing the spread of COVID-19.

There is currently no evidence that COVID-19 vaccinations cause an MS relapse or have long-term implications for how the disease progresses.

Any medication can cause side effects, and COVID-19 vaccines can cause mild, transient ones. This is normal, and it results from the bodys process of developing immunity.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlight these common side effects of COVID-19 vaccines:

If a person with MS develops a fever as a vaccine side effect, it could temporarily worsen MS symptoms.

More specifically, a 2021 survey of 262 people with MS found that 57% of respondents reported some neurological symptoms following the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination. The most common side effects were sensory disturbances, which typically occurred within the first 24 hours and lasted up to 3 days.

A study from the same year in 555 people with MS found that pain around the injection site, tiredness, and headaches were the most common side effects of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

The researchers found no increase in the risk of MS relapse after 20 and 38 days in participants who had received the vaccine, compared with those who had not.

All data and statistics are based on publicly available data at the time of publication. Some information may be out of date. Visit our coronavirus hub and follow our live updates page for the most recent information on the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some MS treatments may reduce the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine due to how they change the immune system.

A 2021 study suggested that some disease-modifying therapies could lower COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness. These therapies interact with the immune system to suppress its defenses against infections.

The researchers specify that the following treatments may limit how well COVID-19 vaccines work:

MS treatments that should not influence the effectiveness of these vaccines include:

It is important to note even vaccines with reduced effectiveness offer a strong defense against COVID-19 for people with MS.

Anyone taking a disease-modifying MS drug, even one that may reduce the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, should continue taking it. Sudden changes to a long-term treatment plan may lead to an MS flare.

It is important for people with MS to discuss how and when to get their COVID-19 vaccine with a doctor.

No evidence suggests that having MS directly increases the risk of developing COVID-19. However, there is very little research in this area.

One 2021 study of 219 people with MS found no evidence of an increased risk of severe COVID-19 or infection with the underlying virus. However, it is important to note that the number of participants was small, and severe COVID-19 is rare.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society reports that people with MS are more likely to develop severe COVID-19 if they have at least one of the following risk factors:

Learn about the origins of COVID-19 and how it spreads.

Having MS is unlikely to increase the risk of adverse effects of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Adverse effects are not the same as side effects. Side effects include a fever, fatigue, and soreness. Adverse effects of the COVID-19 vaccine can include blood clots, myocarditis, and Guillain-Barr syndrome. All are rare.

There is no indication that people with MS have a higher risk of these health issues. But if any concerning symptoms develop, a person should seek emergency medical care.

Learn about the symptoms of a blood clot here.

Three vaccines have been approved for use in the United States: Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Janssen, also called Johnson & Johnson. There is no evidence that any vaccine is more likely to cause adverse effects in people with MS.

As the CDC confirms, vaccines are safe and effective for preventing COVID-19, and they can reduce the spread of the underlying virus.

Vaccination lowers the risk of developing this disease. It is a safe way of building immunity against COVID-19 that can last for a long time. Getting the vaccine can also reduce the number of restrictions on daily activities.

In addition, being vaccinated reduces the risk of the virus passing on to other people. Preventing this transmission is critical for protecting vulnerable people from severe illness and death from the disease. Limiting the circulation of the virus may also reduce the likelihood of a new, more dangerous variant developing.

As MS experts confirm, COVID-19 vaccines are safe.

Some people with MS have a higher risk of severe COVID-19, and getting vaccinated may be especially important for these groups, as it can help prevent serious complications.

Some MS treatments that alter the immune system may reduce the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines. However, the vaccines remain safe for people taking these medications. And even vaccines with reduced effectiveness offer strong protection against COVID-19.

Speak with a doctor about specific risks associated with COVID-19 and possible interactions with medications.

See more here:

Multiple sclerosis and the COVID-19 vaccine: Safety and more - Medical News Today

By Clare Wilson

A coronavirus vaccine dose being given in Jerusalem last month

Maya Alleruzzo/AP/Shutterstock

AS A growing body of data suggests that vaccine-induced protection from covid-19 declines over time, many nations are gearing up to roll out a booster programme. Israel has already begun, while the US, France and Germany have all announced plans to begin rolling out third doses. Some other countries, including the UK, are holding back, with results from a key trial of third shots expected imminently.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, which advises UK health departments, has been mulling

Excerpt from:

What we know so far about booster shots and the covid-19 vaccines - New Scientist