Relief from the COVID-19 Pandemic
Dr. Kartik Cherabuddi, UF Health infectious disease expert addressed the concern that many immunocompromised people are wary of the vaccine as they are unsure if it is safe. “I haven’t found an immunocompromising condition that would preclude you from vaccination,” he stated in an article. “Every scientist, investigator, doctor has reviewed them in such great detail that if someone could find a significant issue with the trials themselves, they will become famous,” said Dr. Cherabuddi. Before the three COVID-19 vaccinations were released to the public, they went through a thorough review and still are being reviewed and studied. Dr. Cherabuddi also stated that the first dose of any of the three vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson) guarantees 40 to 50 percent protection from contracting the virus. This also lessens the spread of the Delta variant.
Vaccine Passports The use of “vaccine passports” are up for debate by many. Some local governments and businesses are being banned from requiring proof that customers have been vaccinated against COVID-19. An article from CNN stated that Gov. Ron DeSantis banned the passports in an executive order. DeSantis touched on privacy and freedom concerns, stating that implementation and enforcement of vaccine passports worldwide “creates two classes of citizens based on vaccinations.” Dr. Mobeen H. Rathore, Chief Infectious Diseases and Immunology at Wolfson Children’s Hospital responded to the idea of vaccine passports, stating “It has to be an equitable availability of the vaccine before we can say that you will have to show me that you are vaccinated to do XYZ activity. At this point in time, I think it may be a little bit premature to be talking about that because, you know, you ask me for a vaccine passport, and I can’t get the vaccine, then I think that’s not fair. I think that’s not the right thing to do,” said Dr. Rathore. While much of the focus is on receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, it is important to also remember to keep up on other immunizations. Dr. Rathore believes there is a benefit to the vaccination. “The risk of vaccine-preventable diseases is at an alltime high due to the decrease in childhood immunization rates during the coronavirus
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for COVID-19 survivors. One learning community, Survivor Corps, is a grassroots website that is dedicated to educating and supporting COVID-19 survivors. This website has a myriad of sections including medical research, post-COVID care, physician resources, COVID live webinars and resources provided by the CDC and National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Where the Vaccine Stands in Florida
pandemic. My worst nightmare is an outbreak of measles, pertussis, or rotavirus on top of coronavirus,” he said in an article from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Long-Term Effects and Management Tools Recent studies have found that some individuals who contracted COVID-19 have been experiencing long-term side effects. During a July 2021 webinar on the long-term effects of COVID-19, Dr. Kelli Tice, MD, Senior Medical Director of Medical Affairs at Florida Blue said some symptoms can linger even after a person who contracted COVID-19 goes through the quarantine period and then tests negative. Some of these lasting side effects include chronic fatigue, sleep disorders, headaches, loss of taste and smell, muscle weakness and even sensory hallucinations which fall into the category of neurological issues. “Sometimes it can be difficult for a physician to make sense of some COVID-19 symptoms, so a patient needs to be an advocate for themselves and keep their physician up to date,” stated Dr. Tice. Dr. Tice continued mentioning that proper hydration and the use of supplements have been good ways to help with an individual’s health and side effects. Development and expansion of treatment centers continue throughout the country. The treatment centers are a place where those who have overcome COVID-19 go and have symptoms treated, rebuild strength and endurance, receive proper medications and receive needed support. Besides treatment centers, additional management tools include learning communities that are being built
Originally, the CDC recommended people over the age of 70, along with frontline workers, should have priority in receiving the vaccine. This included residents of long-term care facilities, but also allowed for healthcare workers, police, firefighters, and other essential workers to receive the vaccine. As the pandemic continued, the age requirement to receive the vaccination decreased so more people had the opportunity to get the vaccine. As of September 2021, the Pfizer vaccine was authorized for age 12 and older, while the Moderna and Johnson and Johnson Janssen COVID-19 vaccines are authorized for those 18 and older. In April 2021, the CDC and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended that the use of the Johnson & Johnson Janssen COVID-19 vaccine resume after stopping use temporarily. Our World in Data reported in September 2021 that 25.2 million dose of the vaccine were given in Florida, 11.5 million individuals fully vaccinated. As a whole, the United States has administered 376 million doses of the vaccine and 177 million people are fully vaccinated. For the most up-to-date information on the vaccines, it is best to contact the local health department.
How North Central Florida Has Responded Vaccinations for COVID-19 are now being offered throughout Alachua, Columbia, and Marion counties as well as The Villages. Appointments for the vaccination can be made through a variety of locations including Publix, Winn-Dixie and CVS websites, as well as the Florida Department of Health (DOH). **Research and updates of COVID-19 are ever-changing with updates occurring daily. For updated information visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website or consult local health departments.
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