Achieving Coronavirus Herd Immunity Protection in Wisconsin

Myth 2 – The vaccine will alter my genes.

No, mRNA isn’t the same as DNA, and it can’t combine with our DNA to change our genetic code. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says on its website the mRNA vaccines don’t interact with our DNA in any way. The mRNA never enters the cell’s nucleus, which is where our DNA (genetic material) is kept.

Myth 3 – If I’ve already had coronavirus, I don’t need the vaccine.

People who have already gotten sick with coronavirus may still be at risk for re-infection. Currently, there is not enough information to say if, or for how long, people are protected from getting coronavirus after they’ve had it.

Myth 4 – The coronavirus vaccine is going to make me sick.

The coronavirus vaccines will not give you the coronavirus and do not contain a live virus. These vaccines provide material for your body to recognize and destroy the virus if you come in contact with it. As with all vaccines, side effects may occur, but that doesn’t mean they are harmful. The most commonly reported side effects, which typically last a few days, are pain at the injection site, tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain and fever. Although these side effects may be mildly unpleasant, this is an indication the vaccine is doing its job and your body is developing antibodies against the coronavirus.

Myth 5 – The coronavirus vaccine is causing widespread allergic reactions.

Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction that occurs rarely after vaccination. The CDC provided an initial analysis on January 22, 2021, which indicated 2.5 anaphylaxis cases per million (1 in 400,000) occurred in Moderna coronavirus vaccine doses administered (CDC, 2021).

Anyone who has had severe allergic reactions or any type of immediate allergic reaction to a vaccine or injectable therapy should be monitored for at least 30 minutes after getting the vaccine. All other people should be monitored for at least 15 minutes after getting the vaccine.

*Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021, January 22). Allergic Reactions Including Anaphylaxis ... Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7004e1.htm

Achieving Coronavirus Herd Immunity Protection in Wisconsin

By Beth Coopman, PharmD at Network Health

Wisconsinites are familiar with hard work. Now we face a new challenge—achieving the goal of coronavirus herd immunity. Herd immunity is when the spread of an infectious disease within a population is reduced due to the fact that a significant portion of the population has become immune to the infection from previous exposure or vaccination.

When herd immunity is achieved, people unable to get the vaccine or those who don’t get full protection from the vaccine are less likely to come in contact with infected individuals and as a result, are less likely to become sick.

Where is Wisconsin now?

According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), the state goal is to immunize approximately 80 percent of the eligible population. As of May 25, 2021, about 41.1 percent of Wisconsin residents are fully vaccinated and over 82.9 percent of people over 65 years old received at least one dose. This data is changing daily. For the most current data, visit dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/vaccine-data.htm#summary.

The rush to vaccinate is also important to get ahead of the more contagious coronavirus variants. Wisconsin state health officials say everyone who wants to get vaccinated should be able to by early July.

Visit the DHS website at dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/vaccine-get. htm for information about where and how to get a vaccine. You can also call 844-684-1064 for vaccine help and signup.

For more information and weekly updates, check out networkhealth.com/coronavirus-vaccine, Network Health Wisconsin’s Facebook page or visit dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/ vaccine-data.htm#summary.