Which COVID-19 Vaccine is Right For You?

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And welcome back! It’s been (checks blog) three months since my last post! Wow! I have no real excuses other than being busy. But, this past week brought some great news for public health that I just had to post about: a third COVID-19 vaccine has been authorized for emergency use in the United States!

According to the CDC, over 59 million Americans – nearly 1 in 4 U.S. adults – have gotten at least 1 dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 30 million have gotten 2 doses. That is amazing progress for vaccines that weren’t even available 3 months ago! Still, if you’re one of the majority who haven’t yet started the COVID-19 vaccine, you may be wondering which one is best for you, especially now that there’s another option available.

First and foremost, I stand by my earlier recommendation to get whatever COVID-19 vaccine your doctor, employer, clinic, or pharmacy has in stock. The best COVID-19 vaccine for you is whatever vaccine you can most easily get. But if you’re in the enviable position of being able to choose between more than 1 vaccine, then read on for my thoughts.

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What to Do if You Want to Get to the Front of the COVID-19 Vaccine Line

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COVID-19 vaccines are out, but how soon will you get able to get yours? According to the CDC, 13 million doses have shipped and 4.2 million Americans have been vaccinated so far. However, 24 million healthcare workers and long-term care residents are eligible in Phase 1a, 49 million frontline essential workers persons age 75 and older in Phase 1b, and 129 people with high-risk medical conditions, age 65 million or older or other essential workers are eligible in Phase 1c before healthy young and middle-aged non-essential workers will be eligible. Don’t like those numbers? Here’s my advice if you want to get yourself to the front of the COVID-19 vaccine line.

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Have a Happy and Socially Distant New Year!

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As we head into what is historically one of the biggest party nights of the year, please hang in there, stay home and socially distance this New Year’s Eve. This pandemic has lasted for what feels like forever and I know how hard it is to skip beloved traditions. But as COVID-19 cases continue to spike all over the United States, it’s critical to stay home and avoid public or private gatherings, even if they’re allowed in your local area.

Please, for your health, for your loved ones’ health and for your community’s health, stay home this New Year’s Eve. I’m not even going to talk about ways to celebrate safely if you do choose to go out – the things that work best are the things I’ve talked about a million times over. If you’re determined to go out, then check out the CDC’s guide to New Year’s Eve during COVID-19.

Instead of partying this New Year’s, check in with yourself. It’s been a long, difficult, stressful year. Get sleep. Drink water. Bundle up and head outside for some air and some exercise. Do the things that make you happy, whatever that may be (as long as it’s socially distant). Reach out to a counselor if you need one. Check out guidance on what helps this season and call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or the National Alliance on Mental Illness HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) if you need help.

Take care of yourselves,

🥂 Dr. B

Which COVID-19 Vaccine Should You Get?

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Sorry for not posting last week; it was a pretty big week for public health! The first doses of COVID-19 vaccine were administered in the United States, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized a second COVID-19 vaccine for use in the U.S. There are now two COVID-19 vaccines available in the U.S. If you’re one of the lucky few eligible to get COVID-19 vaccine during Phase 1a – or when it’s time for your priority group – which COVID-19 vaccine should you get? Read on for my thoughts.

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COVID-19 Vaccines Coming Soon – When Will You Get Yours?

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The FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) will meet this Thursday to discuss Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. Next Thursday, they will meet again to discuss Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine. It is very likely that at least one COVID-19 vaccine will be available this month, and probably two. Should you get a COVID-19 vaccine, and if so, how long will it be until you can get one? Read on for my thoughts.

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What Does a 95% Effective COVID-19 Vaccine Mean?

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Hopefully you’ve heard the exciting news by now: Last week, both Moderna and Pfizer and BioNTech announced that their COVID-19 vaccines are about 95% effective! This is groundbreaking news that had changed the way that many physicians and public health professionals – including myself – think about these vaccines. But, you may be wondering what does “95% effective” really mean, both for the vaccines themselves and the pandemic? Read on for an explanation.

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This Thanksgiving, Protect Your Loved Ones and Connect Remotely

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Let’s be honest: the longer the COVID-19 pandemic stretches on, the harder it is to give up our treasured traditions. For many Americans like myself, Thanksgiving is one of the most important traditions. My extended family has gotten together, sometimes traveling far distances to do so, for a big Thanksgiving dinner for as long as I can remember. It’s important to me, I want it for my kids, and after so many months of social distancing I really want to spend time in the same room as my family.

But.

This Thanksgiving, we will celebrate in our own separate homes in front of the video chat and I strongly encourage and ask you and your family do the same, for their and your own protection. Read on for reasons why.

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Pregnant Women: Take These Important Steps to Prevent COVID-19

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You’ve probably already heard about risks of COVID-19 for older adults and people with certain high-risk conditions. But, new data is showing that COVID-19 can also be particularly risky for pregnant women and the babies they are carrying. Are you or someone you love pregnant? Read on for more information on risks to pregnant women during this pandemic, and important preventive steps.

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Vote Safely!

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Today is Election Day, one of the most important days of the year in the United States. If you are a registered U.S. voter and you haven’t voted yet by early voting, absentee ballot or vote by mail, then please VOTE today! Voting is not only our right but our civic duty. Here are a few quick tips to vote safely during the pandemic; so quick, in fact, that I’m not even going to use a “read more” break.

  • Wear a face mask. If you’ve read this blog before, you had to know this was coming. There will probably be large crowds at polling places, and by now we all know that crowded events are risky for COVID-19. But don’t let fear of infection keep you from voting! Wear your mask to protect yourself and the people around you and get out and vote.
  • Bring hand sanitizer and sanitize your hands after you touch door knobs, shared pens, or any other high-touch surface.
  • Stay 6 feet away from people you don’t live with. If you’re waiting in line, be sure to stay 6 feet behind the person in front of you and ask the person behind you to stay 6 feet behind. Remember when we all used to feel awkward about asking people to back off? These days, I find a friendly “six feet, please” works just fine most time. See a friend or neighbor you haven’t seen in a long time? Give them a friendly wave and shout “hello!” from a distance.
  • Check the weather report and dress appropriately. It’s very likely you’ll be waiting in long lines outdoors. What’s the weather report for your area? Rain? Snow? Wind? Be sure to pack weather-appropriate layers, hat, gloves or mittens and boots if needed! And if you’re lucky enough to live somewhere it’s warm today, wear layers you can remove if needed.

What are you waiting for? Find your polling place and go vote!

🗳️ Dr. B

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