Here are the contents of this month’s newsletter:
The first report on the COVID vaccine’s safety profile is nothing short of amazing.
What are your thoughts on taking Claritin before or after the Covid shot? My daughter took it for muscle aches and it worked wonderfully. A cancer research center has recommended it. Have you heard of this? Continue reading
Barb and I had our first COVID vaccine (Moderna) on January 6 (her birthday). The clinic scheduled our follow-up (2nd or booster) shot for February 2. “But that’s less than the recommended four weeks, isn’t it,” I asked the doctor. His answer agreed with the recommendation from the CDC.
Yes. People who want to get pregnant in the future may receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Probably, but we don’t know for sure. Different expert groups have differing recommendations.
After almost a year of incredibly contentious debate about the place of the old medication, hydroxychloroquine, in the prevention of COVID-19, we finally have what I think is the first randomized controlled trial to give us a pretty good answer — it does NOT work! Continue reading
The e-version of our best-selling marriage book, His Brain, Her Brain: How divinely designed differences can strengthen your marriage, is on sale at your favorite e-book store for $2.99. It’s a limited-time offer.
Patients and friends have been asking this excellent question. Here is the latest advice from the CDC.
No. Typically, herd immunity is achieved when you have 70 to 90 percent of a population immune through natural infection or vaccination. Continue reading
I enjoy being able to answer questions from the readers of Today’s Christian Living magazine in my “Ask Dr. Walt” column. Here’s a recent Q&A about exercise: Continue reading
No. Side effects such as fatigue or headache occur in under five percent of participants. Less than two percent developed muscle aches or fever.
No. COVID-19 mRNA vaccines do not change or interact with your DNA in any way.
Patients and friends are asking about the two extremely effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 (caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2) from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna compare. Here is a nice summary of the differences in each that was prepared by my friends at ConsumerLab.com.
How the two mRNA Vaccines Compare
| Pfizer/BioNTech (mRNA) |
Moderna (mRNA) |
|
| Efficacy | After 1st dose: 52% (Some protection as early as 10 days after 1st dose).
After 2nd dose: 95% |
After 1st dose: Not known
After 2nd dose: 94% (Efficacy in those 65 and older is a little lower, about 86%; however, overall, some evidence of greater protection against severe disease) |
| Most Common Side Effects | Injection site pain, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever; more common after 2nddose | Injection site pain, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, joint pain, chills, nausea/vomiting, fever; more common after 2nd dose. Higher rate of side effects than with Pfizer. Facial swelling in 2 people with a history of cosmetic filler injections has also been reported 1-2 days after last dose. |
| Duration of side effects | Can last several days | Typically one day, but can last up to one week |
| Serious allergic reaction | No increased risk seen in clinical trials but has been reported on 1st dose during roll-out. Treatable with epinephrine. Affected people should not receive a second dose. | No increased risk seen in clinical trials but has been reported on 1st dose during roll-out. Treatable with epinephrine. Affected people should not receive a second dose. |
| Where to Get | Requires very low-temperature storage, so availability may be more limited to hospitals and specialized settings. | Requires only regular refrigeration, so may be more broadly available, such as in doctor’s offices, clinics, rural locations. |
| Ingredients (per dose)
(Note: PEGis polyethylene glycol) |
|
|
*The CDC has recommended that people who experience anaphylaxis after the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine should not receive additional doses (CDC, 2020).
Sources: FDA Fact Sheet for Administering Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine; FDA Fact Sheet for Administering Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine; Polack, N Engl J Med 2020; Mahase, BMJ 2020; New York Times (12/16/02)
This blog was accurate as of the day of posting. However, as the COVID-19 pandemic rapidly evolves and the scientific community’s understanding of the novel coronavirus and the COVID vaccine develops, the information above may have changed since it was last updated. While I aim to keep all of my blogs on COVID and the COVID vaccine up to date, please visit online resources provided by the CDC, WHO, and your local public health department to stay informed on the latest news.
© Copyright WLL, INC. 2021. This blog provides a wide variety of general health information only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from your regular physician. If you are concerned about your health, take what you learn from this blog and meet with your personal doctor to discuss your concerns.
Yes. COVID-19 vaccination works by teaching your immune system how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19, and this protects you from getting seriously sick with COVID-19.
I enjoy being able to answer questions from the readers of Today’s Christian Living magazine in my “Ask Dr. Walt” column. Here’s a recent Q&A about exercise: Continue reading
Yes. Due to the severe health risks associated with COVID-19 and the fact that re-infection with COVID-19 is possible, a COVID vaccine should be offered to you regardless of whether you already had COVID-19 infection. Continue reading
There are several. To prevent hospitalization and death is the most important, but least likely. To prevent spreading it to family and friends is important and likely. But to prevent YOU from long-term side effects of COVID itself may be the most important. Continue reading
Patients and friends are asking why they must keep on with hand washing and wearing a mask along with physical distancing around folks outside their immediate family. Here is a nice summary prepared by my friends at ConsumerLab.com based upon the CDC recommendations.
No. Neither the recently authorized and recommended vaccines nor the other COVID-19 vaccines currently in clinical trials in the United States can cause you to test positive on viral tests, which are used to see if you have a current infection. Continue reading
I enjoy being able to answer questions from the readers of Today’s Christian Living magazine in my “Ask Dr. Walt” column. Here’s a recent Q&A about exercise: Continue reading
No. None of the authorized and recommended COVID-19 vaccines or COVID-19 vaccines currently in development in the United States contain the live virus that causes COVID-19. This means that a COVID-19 vaccine cannot make you sick with COVID-19.
Here are the contents of this month’s newsletter:
Patients and friends are asking if pain relievers/fever reducers can be taken to reduce the side effects of the COVID vaccine. Here is a nice summary prepared by my friends at ConsumerLab.com.
I enjoy being able to answer questions from the readers of Today’s Christian Living magazine in my “Ask Dr. Walt” column. Here’s a recent Q&A about sleep:
My friends at ConsumerLab.com have updated their excellent article answering the question: Who Should or Should Not Get Vaccinated with the COVID vaccine?
I enjoy being able to answer questions from the readers of Today’s Christian Living magazine in my “Ask Dr. Walt” column. Here’s a recent Q&A about better sleep: Continue reading
Wow. I just received a notice that I’ll be listed in the 2021 edition of “Who’s Who in the World.” Continue reading
My friends at ConsumerLab.com have a great update on the COVID vaccine and all the allergies you’ve been hearing about. Below are some details. I use this information to answer questions my patients have about taking th COVID vaccine with a history of allergies to anything.
