A vaccine at warp speed
I have heard some concerns about the upcoming COVID vaccine: "It was too rushed. No thank you.” (The comments are usually more colorful.)
First and foremost, I have no doubt that these vaccines were properly researched for safety and efficacy. Yes, they were developed relatively quickly, in a year versus several years - How was that possible? I did a little research, and here is what I found:
1. Researchers drew on pre-existing data and technology - It's not like the researchers started from scratch. mRNA vaccine technology has actually been around for decades, and while this COVID-19 strain is novel, similar coronaviruses in general have long existed. It was about taking existing information and applying it.
2. There was good communication between the vaccine companies and regulators - I'm no professional researcher, but during medical training, I knew that every research project had to endure lengthy, back and forth application processes with review boards to make sure everything was in order. Now imagine instead of submitting paperwork and waiting months among hundreds of other applications, you could just pick up a phone and discuss protocols, materials, and approval criteria in real time - you know, because there is a global pandemic and everyone wants THIS research to happen ASAP.
3. Funding and participants were ready to go - For most projects, securing a grant or funding can take months. And once research is underway, gathering enough willing participants can take years. These were non-issues with the COVID vaccine trials.
So yes, development of these COVID vaccines happened at seemingly warp speed - but due to increased efficiency of the cumbersome process, not by cutting any corners in the research.
What do you think? Are you as excited as I am?
Covid Vaccine update
Today, Moderna applied for FDA Emergency Use Authorization for its COVID vaccine. Pfizer applied for theirs a couple weeks ago.
As a healthcare professional, this is extremely exciting. 🩺 Not only have these vaccine trials shown promising results (both with over 94% efficacy preventing COVID and, in Moderna's case, 100% effective against severe disease), but among approximately 75,000 participants in total, neither trial revealed any serious safety concerns. 👏🏼
In general, vaccines work by "revving" up your immune system so that it is ready to fight disease before it overwhelms your body. The main side effects can include fatigue, muscle pain, headache, and fevers (all signs that your immune system is working), but are transient and - in my book - far less dangerous and worrisome than COVID itself.
It really feels like Christmas is on its way. 🎄 I cannot think of a greater gift this year than health, safety, and peace of mind. 🎁
#liveVICTORIOUS✌🏼 #doctormom #saferathome #hcw4science
Style series: If I were going to a work event
Happy #fashionFriday!
Starting a new series: “If I were going to...” 👠 (cuz with numbers on the rise and twindemic season upon us, we surely aren’t going much of anywhere right now... 💔) Sometimes a girl needs to dress up, even if just for a Tiktok. 😅
If I were going to... a WORK EVENT. Missing and can’t wait to get back our in person happy hours and style/skincare socials! 🥂 For now, dressed up from the waist up zooms will have to do...! 😅
#liveVICTORIOUS✌🏼
coat: Zara/ dress: AUxNuuly/ bodysuit: Amazon/ shoes: Enrico Cuini/ bag Celine
myopic progression in children
Did you know that the prevalence of myopia, or nearsightedness, is on the rise in school aged children?
Refractive error (aka need for glasses) is typically determined by genetics - a myopic eye is long, while a hyperopic or farsightedness eye is short. The exact etiology for this rise in myopia is still to be determined. Possible factors could be the increase near work or decreased outdoor time over recent decades.
Treatments for myopia include glasses or contacts - but while they can help clear vision in the short term, they don’t really slow down the progression. And methods to slow down progression like prescription eye drops can further blur children’s vision.
Given that my husband and I are both nearsighted, it will be just a matter of time before our children will have these issues.
But good news! The FDA has recently approved CooperVisionUSA’s MiSight 1 day soft contact lenses that can do both - help vision immediately AND slow down progression. Ask your optometrist for more information!
You can call me Doctor…
When I first posted this video on TikTok, I got lots of comments - mostly supportive, but some not so much:
"So do you expect your friends to call you Doctor too? Ha ha."
"You are so uptight."
"Sometimes I just forget, no big deal."
I hear you, but I wonder: Would you respond to a male doctor this way? If he introduced himself as "Doctor" - Would you make fun of him too? Would you also call him uptight? Would you tell him it's no big deal? No, my bets are that you wouldn't.
And that's kinda the whole point.
Healthcare workers for Vaccines
Have you gotten your flu vaccine? Are you planning on getting the COVID vaccine when it becomes available?
According to the CDC, only about 49% of Americans got the flu vaccine last year. According to recent polls, only 21% of Americans would definitely get the COVID vaccine once approved. This is concerning, given that these vaccines are our best defense for staying out of hospitals and ending this pandemic.
One concern is whether vaccines are safe. I know there is a lot of nervousness especially surrounding this newest COVID vaccine (set to release at the end of this year or early next), but before being FDA approved and released to the public, every vaccine must be rigorously tested for safety and efficacy. Yes, ALL of them, regardless of what is promised or said. With so much riding on these meds - scientists will NOT skip or rush on safety protocols.
Per Dr. Fauci, “extensive checks and balances that include independent data analysis and a host of advisory groups staffed with career scientists will likely shield the FDA coronavirus vaccine approval process from political pressure... each of these vaccines has a data- and safety-monitoring board that is not beholden to the administration” or anyone else. This is reassuring.
Another concern is whether vaccines are effective. Definitely. This is one of the research end-point must-haves. However, true herd immunity and protection can only be achieved if the majority of the population get the vaccine. Everyone getting the COVID 19 vaccine is our best shot at ending this pandemic ASAP.
#WeStandWithFauci, the FDA, and the Scientific Process. We are Healthcare Workers for Vaccines #hcw4vaccines!
#liveVICTORIOUS✌🏼 #doctormom