By Karen Kier
Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team
ONU HealthWise Pharmacy

Many of us think we have heard Captain Kirk from the well-known Star Trek: The Original Series repeat the phrase, Beam me up, Scotty” to his chief engineer. However, what most of us do not know is that this actually is a misquotation. The real Star Trek fans will be able to tell you which versions have been repeated in each of the series, movies, and spinoffs. This phrase has become such a relevant part of our vernacular that it has taken on several different meanings including a slang term for the use of cocaine (I seriously learn something new every day) or as a term for one’s desire to be elsewhere. This week, I would prefer to use the term for one’s desire to be elsewhere. Why? I love living in West Central Ohio and have spent 42 years in the area.  My daughter grew up here and is proud to be from the Midwest. So where else would I rather be? I want to be teleported back to the human kindness that I knew and my emotional safe zones prior to COVID-19. I like many other health care professionals are mentally exhausted and are tired of being screamed out, degraded, and called names. Just last week, an anti-vaccine influencer who has dubbed himself the “vaccine police” has indicated that pharmacists should be executed for their crimes against humanity. He directs his intimidation and verbal assaults at pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and other pharmacy personnel. This is just one more example of the harassment that healthcare professionals have to endure to help the people that they took an oath to protect. 

Recently, I took a phone call from someone interested in getting information about COVID-19 vaccines. I quickly realized that this was not the intent of the caller at all but rather the intent was to scream at me relentlessly. We understand it is a risk we take when we offer our services, but what has happened to our society that we think it is okay just to scream at someone who we don’t even know?  Why is it that I am no longer comfortable going to certain places in our community anymore for fear of confrontation? What happened to a calm sharing of thoughts and concerns and the famous just let us agree to disagree? I would love to tell you that confrontations like this just don’t phase me, but that would not be true. Seven days later, I am still upset by the horrible degradation of my personal qualifications and education that I have worked so hard to attain. Teleport me to peace and harmony, please!  So now that I am striving for Zen, you are probably wondering what about the big news for the week. Oh right, the announcement of booster shots and FDA approval of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine! 

Not everything has been truly defined yet and we still have more unanswered questions than answers.  What we know so far is that the recommendation for a booster shot will be offered to those who had an mRNA vaccine such as Pfizer or Moderna. This process is slated to start on September 20 for health care workers and nursing home residents. Then other individuals will be offered the booster for mRNA 8 months after their second dose was received. We do know that not all scientists are convinced of the need for boosters this soon. Some of the first studies of the vaccines were done by Pfizer in Israel where a Phase III study give over 600,000 participants the active vaccine and compared that to over 600,000 people getting a placebo or inactive shot. The individuals in those studies received the vaccine over a year ago and are now eligible in Israel to get a booster shot. Cases in Israel like the U.S. are surging with a similar pattern. In general, those who have been vaccinated and get infected with COVID-19 delta variant are having minor symptoms but are not requiring hospitalization or ICU beds. The unvaccinated are predominately the ones requiring more intensive treatment for their infections.  As on researcher explained it, the vaccine has lost some ability to protect from getting COVID-19 but it still possesses the power to prevent hospitalization and death.

Another interesting question from this week has been, so what does this mean for the Janssen (J&J) vaccine?  Another great question with not many answers yet.  A study was published this week from the United Kingdom that provides some insight but not a direct answer. The study looked at every iteration of providing two shots to study subjects with the Pfizer mRNA vaccine with the AstraZeneca adenovirus-platform vaccine (similar platform used in J&J). So one of the groups in the study received the adenovirus-platform vaccine first and then received a second dose of the Pfizer mRNA vaccine. The study found that this combination was very effective in providing protection against COVID-19 including the delta variant. So not a direct answer to the question, but interesting science as we move forward.

Feel free to call the ONU HealthWise Pharmacy or talk to your health care professional.  ONU HealthWise is offering walk-ins for COVID-19 vaccines.  We still want to take calls and provide the best information possible.  Call the pharmacy to get more information on getting vaccinated.