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LEHIGH VALLEY WEATHER

Lions Club members hear COVID-19 vaccine details

It has been more than a year since the first COVID-19 case was reported in the United States, and March 13 marked a year since a national emergency was declared. A lot has happened since then, but it seems the end may be in sight with three approved vaccines being administered across the country.

Dr. Rikin Patel, pharmacist and owner of Whitehall Pharmacy, spoke at the Whitehall Lions Club’s meeting March 1 to give an update about the COVID-19 virus and vaccines, as well as to answer any questions.

Patel opened the discussion by asking those in attendance if they had received the vaccine, which vaccine they had received and if they had any reaction to it. It was reported older patients are having less of a reaction to the vaccine than younger patients.

It is recommended to take no painkillers after receiving the vaccine, as that will allow the body to have the best immune response. However, if the pain is truly unbearable, it is better to take acetaminophen, according to Patel. This is because ibuprofen and Motrin can stop the inflammatory response and can affect the immune response. Any daily prescription medicines are completely fine to take and will not interfere with the body’s immune response.

The Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are currently being administered. While all three vaccines protect against COVID-19, there are a few differences between the vaccines.

The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines both require two doses and trigger an immune response through an mRNA protein. Essentially, mRNA technology works by giving our cells instructions to make a harmless version of the spike protein found on the surface of the virus that causes COVID-19. This protein piece is then displayed on the surface of our cells, and our immune system recognizes the protein doesn’t belong, causing our immune system to start building an immune response and making antibodies against the COVID-19 virus.

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine, on the other hand, is a single-dose immunization. This vaccine triggers an immune response through an adenovirus. The adenovirus, which is the virus that causes the common cold, is added to the spike protein. Then, like with mRNA technology, the protein is displayed on our cells, causing our immune system to begin building antibodies.

The antibodies in vaccines last longer than the antibodies someone would get from having COVID-19. If you’ve already had the virus, it is best to still get the vaccine. According to Patel, a patient must wait 90 days after having COVID-19 to get the vaccine.

He also reminded everyone that getting the vaccination will not give someone COVID-19. Any flu-like symptoms may just be the body’s immune response, and a positive COVID-19 test after the vaccination means the person had to have been exposed before receiving the vaccine.

Since the vaccines are so new, there is some unknown information about them. Medical professionals are not sure how long the vaccine will be effective. Additionally, they do not believe there will be any long-term effects from the vaccine, but because it hasn’t been studied long term, they cannot say for sure.

“There are long-term complications from getting COVID, so one outweighs the other,” Patel said of the vaccines.

The COVID-19 virus and vaccines are still an ever-expanding field of research, so new information is constantly being discovered.

For example, vaccines for those 16 and under are currently being researched and worked on, in hopes one may be ready as soon as possible. Infants and children are not eligible to get the current vaccine because their immune system and immune responses are different from adults. Many representatives for the state of Pennsylvania are pushing for legislation to create a statewide registry for COVID-19 vaccinations that would streamline the appointment registration process.

Toward the end of the meeting, Patel reminded everyone Whitehall Pharmacy could be used as a resource. The pharmacy is one of the few places in the Lehigh Valley that has rapid COVID-19 tests. They charge $50 and do not require insurance.

The rapid test is an antigen test, so it is best to wait two to three days after exposure to get tested. Whitehall Pharmacy is looking to get a PCR molecular test in the next few weeks that would be free for anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.