A slight increase in the number of COVID-19 patients at The University of Kansas Health System today. Nine people with the active virus are being treated, up from eight yesterday. Of those patients, four are in the ICU, up from two yesterday. Three of those patients are on ventilators, up from two yesterday. 18 other patients are still hospitalized because of COVID-19 but are out of the acute infection phase, the same as yesterday. That’s a total of 27 patients, up from 26 yesterday. HaysMed has four total patients, the same as yesterday. Two have the active virus and two are recovering.

            On today’s Morning Media Update, Amanda Cackler, director of Quality and Safety at the health system, joined Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of Infection Prevention and Control, to answer media and community questions.                 

                                                            (video here)                

Here are the media and community questions in the order the panel addressed them, followed by the short answer. Time code for the question is in parentheses. See the video for their full answers and comments.

• (1:40) I got the first shot of the Moderna vaccine four weeks ago. But I had bad reactions, including heart rate and blood pressure spiking for four days. My endocrinologist advised against getting the second shot. Is it a good or bad idea to get the Johnson & Johnson vaccine instead for my second shot? Bad idea. Mixing vaccines is not advised. Talk with primary care doctor or allergist to see if there were other reasons besides the vaccine for the reactions.
• (3:05) I had moderate eye pain when moving them for 24 hours after receiving my first shot. Have you heard of that before?  That is not a known side effect to any of the vaccines.
• (4:00) I’m supposed to get the J & J vaccine next week. I have Addison’s disease and I’m nervous after hearing about people in other states having bad reactions. Should I get it? Yes, there is no evidence of safety concerns from the J & J vaccine.
• (5:25) If I am taking tamoxifen, which has a risk of causing blood clots, which vaccine is the safest for me to get? Any of the vaccines will be safe.
• (7:30) If the vaccines make us 90% protected, what is the 10% risk?  Risk of death?  Risk of long-term side effects? The 10% risk is severe disease, hospitalization and death. The vaccines prevent that in 90% of patients.
• (8:30) What about children going to school? Would you recommend holding them back? Is it safe? There has been well-demonstrated ability to safely be in classrooms with proper masking and social distancing.
• (11:15) How long does it take for the FDA to fully approve the Pfizer, Moderna, and J&J vaccines?  What has to happen for them to be taken off the emergency use authorization and be considered "fully" approved? It will probably take another one to two years as safety data is constantly examined. That will still be the quickest vaccine ever to come to market.
• (13:45) To prevent symptoms from the booster shot, is it okay to take Tylenol or Ibuprofen before and after I get my second shot? It’s okay and won’t affect the vaccine’s effectiveness.
• (14:45) If vaccinated, will blood tests confirm antibodies? No, and it’s not recommended to get an antibody test after being vaccinated.
• (16:25) Are you concerned about any of the vaccines if you are allergic to sulfur? No, any of the vaccines will be safe.
• (16:45) I read that people with O negative blood have between 1.3 and 2.5 percent chance of getting COVID-19. Should that person get the vaccine? Everyone should get the vaccine. Blood type will not protect you from the virus.
• (17:50) The current vaccines do not show any sign of antibody dependent enhancement, but is there a chance that the virus can mutate causing antibody dependent enhancement to the current vaccines, making the illness worse in people who have had the vaccine? We never say never in medicine, but the chances of that happening are extremely, extremely low.
• (19:00) I’m supposed to get the J & J shot tomorrow. I cut the grass a few days ago and I’m having severe allergic problems. Should I still get the vaccine? Yes, get the vaccine. The only reason to delay is if you have a fever.
• (19:55) I've read doctors recommending ivermectin instead of the vaccine. I think these doctors are reputable. What do you think? Get the vaccine. Ivermectin has no role in treating or preventing COVID-19.
• (20:50) Is the Pfizer vaccine safe for young people's reproductive health? It is being evaluated as age group eligibility is expanded.
• (22:00) Can you only have one dose if you had side effects with the first? If we're 80% protected with one shot, why do we need the second? Studies show we need the second dose for the most protection. Any side effects are never as bad as getting the disease.
• (23:20) Is it safe for me to do home health with active COVID-19 patients if I'm fully vaccinated? Yes, as long as you keep wearing a mask and follow all other infection prevention measures.
• (24:30) We booked a trip to Hawaii in September. Now, the state says we have to provide a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours before arriving or quarantine for 10 days. Is this going to become a thing in all states?  Not necessarily in all states, but it’s anticipated these requirements will stay in place, especially for international travel, during the pandemic.
• (25:50) Are there CDC guidelines for daycare centers on the new variants? All of the current preventive measures like social distancing and mask wearing will work, regardless of any variants.
• (26:30) Do you know of anyone who is fully protected, two weeks past their second shot, who has tested positive for COVID-19? Yes, it’s been observed in some health system employees. We know you can still transmit the virus even after being fully vaccinated, but the severity of the illness you get is greatly diminished.
• (28:40) Have you seen the UK report finding that those who have had COVID-19 have as much immunity afterward as those who have had their first vaccine shot? It’s not true. We have seen that vaccination offers more protection than natural infection itself.
• (29:55) We are hearing that the RNA vaccines are effective for at least six months. What do we do at the six-month point? Most of us expect the vaccines to be effective for up to a year. A booster will most likely be needed after that, especially against the variants.
• (31:25) My brother is traveling across the country visiting family members in June. Some are vaccine hesitant. Is it too risky or is it okay if we all just wear a mask? It should be okay to mingle vaccinated with unvaccinated people as long as all are wearing a mask.
• (33:15) Is there any place that someone with a blood cancer can find out if the vaccine is working? I’ve read they only respond 13 to 36 percent of the time. There is no specific guidance on testing to see if the vaccine is working. You should still get the vaccine because there’s more benefit to your health than there is risk.
• (34:30) Any information on vaccines and tinnitus? There is no evidence that the vaccine causes tinnitus.
• (36:10) What is considered moderate vs. severe infection? According to the NIH and the CDC, moderate infection is changes in imaging, a respiratory rate above 30 and a blood oxygen level of under 93%. Severe means you have increased oxygen needs and increased respiratory rate.

            Monday, April 12 at 8:00 a.m. is the next Morning Media Update. We're going to hear from health department leaders in Jackson, Johnson and Shawnee Counties.  Bridgette Shaffer, Dr. Sanmi (san-me) Areola and Derik Flerlage (flur-log) will update vaccination and infection rates in their counties, plus weigh on the variants popping up around us and their biggest challenges to getting shots in people's arms. 

ATTENTION: media procedure for calling in:

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