By Karen L. Kier
Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team
It has been over a month since the COVID-19 vaccines have received FDA emergency use authorization (EUA). 

What have we learned about the vaccines as the number of COVID-19 cases in the United States are increasing? 

Many health care workers and long-term care residents have been receiving the vaccine with some completing the 2-part vaccine series. A government working group designed the plan to distribute the vaccine. 

The working group wanted to balance the ability to prevent death and illness with preserving social functioning. 

This explains why the Phase Ia includes long-term care who have the highest percentage of deaths per population while balancing the societal function of health care workers being able to do their jobs in a high risk environment. 

Then Phase Ib includes those over the age of 75 years since they are at a higher risk of death and balanced with frontline essential workers. 

Phase Ic then adds in ages 65 to 74 years and high-risk citizens age 16 to 64 years and other essential workers.  The CDC estimates that there are 87 million essential workers and 53 million people over the age of 64. 

We still have a long way to go
On Jan. 5, 2021, the New York Times reported that at least 4.8 million people received at least one dose. We still have a long way to go to the combined 250 million estimated in Phase Ia through Phase Ic. 

Interestingly, an American Medical Association webinar discussed a realistic number for developing herd immunity (ability for those vaccinated to protect those who are not vaccinated). 

There are some very misleading numbers being bounced around on the Internet and social media. The experts feel that we need about 200 million people vaccinated (both doses) or who have current antibodies from recent infections to approach herd immunity.

Data suggests that antibodies start to wane as soon as one week after the infection resolves.  If these estimates are accurate, then Phase Ia to Phase Ic would reach 250 million if all are vaccinated. 

There have been concerns about side effects as well as the ingredients of the vaccines. 

The Phase III clinical studies gave us a pretty good idea of reactions.  Indeed, the reports after EUA are mild side effects including headache, arm pain, body aches, chills and fever. 

Some websites suggest that you can treat with acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).  This question has come into the ONU HealthWise Drug and Health Information Center. 

The problem in recommending these over the counter products is that we do not really have information on whether they impact the vaccine effectiveness.  The news media has talked about some severe allergic reactions, which are rare but serious. 

The current theory is it may be related to the propylene glycol (PEG) component of both available vaccines.  It is recommended that if you have a PEG allergy that you do not receive the vaccine. 

Covid-19 vaccines do not contain preservatives
The COVID-19 vaccines do not contain preservatives. One source did a really good job of just explaining the ingredients in nontechnical terms. The vaccines are mRNA combined with sugar, fats, and salt. That is a pretty accurate description. 

The FDA does have fact sheets for both vaccines available for the public that provide the technical terms for the ingredients as well as side effect profile (https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/eua/index.html).  

Some vaccines contain gelatin and that has been a concern for some individuals.  Both COVID-19 vaccines have been certified to be gelatin-free. There are some scary supplements being advertised on the Internet that claim to protect you from COVID and have included eye drops, tablets, and injections. 

Please do not buy into these claims and the FDA is working hard to shut these sites down. The FDA issues warnings to stop false claims. In addition, the demand for access to the vaccine has created a black market (underground, illegal market) for the vaccine. 

Reports have come in from other countries of websites selling COVID vaccine that is worthless (placebo or saline).  Please contact your healthcare professional to ask questions related to supplements or vaccine distribution. 

Concerning mutations
Some recent concerns have surfaced relating to mutations of the virus that causes COVID-19. These mutations have actually been around since the summer of 2020. 

The mutated virus seems to transmit faster from person to person but the overall death rate is about the same. 

So far, the manufacturers feel that the current vaccines will be effective against these mutations.  It is estimated that less than 1% of the mutated virus has made it to the U.S.  California, New York, and Florida have been reported as having more of the mutated strain then other states. 

The best way to stop the spread of the mutated strain is to stop the spread of COVID in general. 

The good news is vaccine is being distributed and the current EUA manufacturers are putting efforts in to produce vaccine as quickly and safely as possible. More good news is that research continues to maximize the doses available in the U.S. 

Better news is that 12 other vaccines are in clinical trials and in development with 7 of them being approved in countries outside the U.S. Some of these investigational vaccines work by different mechanisms than the current EUA mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna. 

More options are on the horizon.  Call the ONU HealthWise Pharmacy at 419-772-3784 with questions.