COVID-19 Q&A

WHERE DO WE STAND? WHAT DO WE KNOW AT THIS POINT?

BY DR. LANCE VANGUNDY, PHYSICIAN & ER MEDICAL DIRECTOR

QI’m still debating whether to get vaccinated. You were vaccinated six months ago – any reason why I should be reluctant?

AI did receive the Moderna vaccine in December 2020, and I’m recommending that everyone do the same unless you have extenuating circumstances such as dangerous allergies, early pregnancy or unique autoimmune disease. Talk to your primary care provider if you have doubts. Otherwise, six months later, I’m still confident that the vaccine is safe and remains your best bet for staying healthy.

QI know some people with allergies should be careful about getting vaccinated. What do we know about that now?

AI would strongly encourage most people with allergies to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Specifically, it’s recommended and safe for those with seasonal allergies or minor food allergies, including egg allergies. Some people avoid the flu vaccine for fear of egg allergies. There’s no component of chickens or eggs that are utilized in the development of the vaccine. That said, if you have an allergy to a specific ingredient, or have severe allergies (like anaphylaxis) to prior vaccines — or even a disease that’s rare called Guillain-Barre — you’ll want to talk to your doctor about your options.

QWill COVID-19 affect me long-term?

AWe’re still gauging how the virus will affect people over the long haul, but reports describe a “long COVID” syndrome of fatigue, sleep difficulties and depression or anxiety, which commonly follows severe COVID-19 infections for months. We also know COVID-19 can inflame the heart – even for those who were asymptomatic. For instance, experts believe 20-24% of the people who were hospitalized with COVID-19 will experience some sort of heart issue in the future. We don’t yet know the full extent for people who haven’t been hospitalized.

QI’m still concerned about how these vaccines were rushed to market. Can you ease my concerns?

AI can try. This is fascinating stuff, really. You need to realize the Pfizer and Moderna varieties are mRNA vaccines. They are the result of new technology approved by the Federal Food and Drug Administration. They don’t use a weakened virus, like many other vaccines. Instead, they teach your body to create a protein that protects you from dangerous illness. This new technology was actually the result of our fight against the SARS virus in 2003 and the MERS virus in 2012. Those were earlier COVID or coronavirus variants and our experience with those helped bring our vaccine development to where it is today. And, to repeat, the vaccine does not include a live virus or virus particles, and it won’t alter your DNA.

QI’m hoping to get pregnant, so I’ve been holding off on getting vaccinated. Where do you stand on this now?

AI appreciate this question, and this is a familiar concern we’ve heard for months now. However, we believe the COVID-19 vaccine does not impact fertility. There just hasn’t been evidence or reason to believe, even in theory, this would happen. And, as always, if you have doubts or need to hear more, you should discuss it with your women’s health provider, or at the very least, your primary care physician.

QCan children get a COVID-19 vaccine? And is it available locally?

AYes, we do encourage children ages 12 and older to get vaccinated. The vaccine has been judged to be safe for kids, and we’re offering those at UnityPoint Health – Marshalltown Family Medicine.