Coronavirus Media Briefing Friday 4-2-21

The University of Kansas Health System reports steady numbers of COVID-19 patients today. Ten people with the active virus are being treated, down from 11 yesterday. Of those patients, five are in the ICU, same as yesterday. One of those patients is on a ventilator, same as yesterday. 16 other patients are still hospitalized because of COVID-19 but are out of the acute infection phase, up from 15 yesterday. That’s a total of 26 patients, same as yesterday. HaysMed has one active patient and one recovering today, the same as yesterday.

On today’s Morning Media Update, as the Royals season opens, Dr. Vince Key, head team physician, joined to talk about COVID-19 and the team, including what we've learned from last year and what's new. Also, Lance Williamson, Infection Prevention and Control Nurse Supervisor, joined Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of Infection Prevention and Control and David Wild, MD, VP of Performance Improvement, sitting in for Dr. Stites, to answer media and community questions.

After yesterday’s marathon opening day victory by the Royals, Dr. Key described changes for both players and fans this year to cope with the virus. Only 10,000 fans are being allowed in the stadium, about one fourth the capacity. All will be required to wear masks and are kept apart. He says what we’re already doing in society will translate to a trip to the K for fans. The players wear monitors as they enter the stadium and more team activities are done outside than before. Some of the players have begun getting vaccinated. Though they are not required to do so, Major League Baseball is encouraging them all to get the vaccine. Dr. Key s not worried about the team going on a road trip to Texas, where all restrictions have been lifted, because they all stay in their bubble and will only interact with certain stadium personnel. He believes with the right precautions, they will be able to play the whole 162 game season, unlike last year’s COVID-19 shortened season. He says the players are here for the fans, and are thrilled they’re back, after a season with only cardboard cutouts of fans in the stands.

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

(3:30) As we’re about to observe our second Easter in the pandemic, what are your thoughts on celebrations and gatherings this year? If all are vaccinated, and continue to wear masks, it should be safer this year.
(6:10) Is June too early to be holding large indoor events like auto shows? Yes, because we won’t likely have 70-80 percent of the population vaccinated yet.
(19:50) I’m concerned about Kansas lawmakers overturning the governor’s mask mandate and leaving it up to counties and local businesses. Regardless of whether there is a mandate or not, we don’t need the government to tell us to do the right thing. Masks and social distancing are the best ways to stop the spread and help keep schools open.
(27:40) Anyone know the repercussions if you accidentally get the Pfizer second dose with the Moderna first dose? There is no known negative impact since the vaccine makeup is similar, but it has not been studied nor is it recommended.
(28:40) I got the Moderna shot about 72 hours ago and have had no symptoms. Is it working? Everyone is different. Some have delayed reactions while others have none at all. Regardless, the vaccine is working.
(29:45) We have spent zero time with our grandchildren indoors since the pandemic began. After we are fully vaccinated, can we have the grandkids inside without masks? They are six and three years old. Yes, as long as those unvaccinated are not part of a high-risk category. It’s one of the silver linings of getting vaccinated.
(30:35) Is there any data about vaccinating disabled people, specifically those with neurological disorders who are on medication? Is it safe to get the COVID-19 shot? The evidence now is that all the vaccines are safe regardless of what your chronic disease may be.
(33:10) Is an antibody test two weeks after immunization a good way to determine the level of immunity the vaccine provides against COVID-19? How do you know if it's working? CDC guidelines are that antibody testing is not routinely done after vaccination unless there is a medically necessary reason.
(35:05) Can you get a rash from the Pfizer vaccine? Yes.
(35:15) if you’re allergic to shellfish is it OK to get the shot? Yes.
(35:35) I understand the vaccine might not work against a variant, but could the shot make me more sick if I catch COVID-19 after exposure to one of the variants? The variants should not impact your decision to get the vaccine.
(38:40) I’m fully vaccinated and haven’t seen my grandsons for a year. Their parents are against the vaccine. Is it OK to be in the house with them without masks? It is not a practice we would advocate.
(40:25) How long will it take the FDA to give full approval versus emergency use authorization to Pfizer, Moderna and J&J vaccines? Would that help with vaccine hesitancy? Pfizer has six months of safety data and may present for full approval in late Spring. Even though the vaccines are safe, it may help some overcome their hesitancy.
(43:15) Johnson & Johnson has stopped vaccine production after 15 million of doses were ruined in a manufacturing error. How does that impact the vaccine supply chain here and planning for clinics? It will have little impact here as not much of the J&J vaccine has been coming to Kansas.
(46:20) When you say a shot is 90% or more effective, does that mean 90% against catching COVID-19 or 90% against catching severe COVID-19? And, if I catch COVID-19 after being vaccinated, can I still spread it? It means the vaccine is 90 percent effective in preventing severe disease and hospitalization. The newest studies point to reduced transmission after vaccination.
(48:50) How far past the 21 or 28 days can the second dose be given? There is no clinical harm with a several week delay. Some evidence suggests it may provide more durable immunity, but there have been no formal studies of that yet.
(50:30) I was surprised to hear that the Pfizer vaccine only lasts six months. Is that true? Does it mean we’ll just need the booster? We don’t believe that’s true, though it’s impossible to say since the vaccines have not been around that long. The expectation is we will have good immunity for 9-12 months. A booster will probably be needed then.

Monday, April 5 at 8:00 a.m. is the next Morning Media Update. Dr. Gregory Poland (rhymes with Holland), director of Mayo Clinic's vaccine research group and his daughter Caroline Poland teamed up on COVID-19 research that identifies why and how we think the way we do when it comes to vaccine, masks and testing. They'll explain how they did their research and why it's important at this stage in the pandemic.

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(3:30) As we’re about to observe our second Easter in the pandemic, what are your thoughts on celebrations and gatherings this year? If all are vaccinated, and continue to wear masks, it should be safer this year.
(6:10) Is June too early to be holding large indoor events like auto shows? Yes, because we won’t likely have 70-80 percent of the population vaccinated yet.
(19:50) I’m concerned about Kansas lawmakers overturning the governor’s mask mandate and leaving it up to counties and local businesses. Regardless of whether there is a mandate or not, we don’t need the government to tell us to do the right thing. Masks and social distancing are the best ways to stop the spread and help keep schools open.
(27:40) Anyone know the repercussions if you accidentally get the Pfizer second dose with the Moderna first dose? There is no known negative impact since the vaccine makeup is similar, but it has not been studied nor is it recommended.
(28:40) I got the Moderna shot about 72 hours ago and have had no symptoms. Is it working? Everyone is different. Some have delayed reactions while others have none at all. Regardless, the vaccine is working.
(29:45) We have spent zero time with our grandchildren indoors since the pandemic began. After we are fully vaccinated, can we have the grandkids inside without masks? They are six and three years old. Yes, as long as those unvaccinated are not part of a high-risk category. It’s one of the silver linings of getting vaccinated.
(30:35) Is there any data about vaccinating disabled people, specifically those with neurological disorders who are on medication? Is it safe to get the COVID-19 shot? The evidence now is that all the vaccines are safe regardless of what your chronic disease may be.
(33:10) Is an antibody test two weeks after immunization a good way to determine the level of immunity the vaccine provides against COVID-19? How do you know if it's working? CDC guidelines are that antibody testing is not routinely done after vaccination unless there is a medically necessary reason.
(35:05) Can you get a rash from the Pfizer vaccine? Yes.
(35:15) if you’re allergic to shellfish is it OK to get the shot? Yes.
(35:35) I understand the vaccine might not work against a variant, but could the shot make me more sick if I catch COVID-19 after exposure to one of the variants? The variants should not impact your decision to get the vaccine.
(38:40) I’m fully vaccinated and haven’t seen my grandsons for a year. Their parents are against the vaccine. Is it OK to be in the house with them without masks? It is not a practice we would advocate.
(40:25) How long will it take the FDA to give full approval versus emergency use authorization to Pfizer, Moderna and J&J vaccines? Would that help with vaccine hesitancy? Pfizer has six months of safety data and may present for full approval in late Spring. Even though the vaccines are safe, it may help some overcome their hesitancy.
(43:15) Johnson & Johnson has stopped vaccine production after 15 million of doses were ruined in a manufacturing error. How does that impact the vaccine supply chain here and planning for clinics? It will have little impact here as not much of the J&J vaccine has been coming to Kansas.
(46:20) When you say a shot is 90% or more effective, does that mean 90% against catching COVID-19 or 90% against catching severe COVID-19? And, if I catch COVID-19 after being vaccinated, can I still spread it? It means the vaccine is 90 percent effective in preventing severe disease and hospitalization. The newest studies point to reduced transmission after vaccination.
(48:50) How far past the 21 or 28 days can the second dose be given? There is no clinical harm with a several week delay. Some evidence suggests it may provide more durable immunity, but there have been no formal studies of that yet.
(50:30) I was surprised to hear that the Pfizer vaccine only lasts six months. Is that true? Does it mean we’ll just need the booster? We don’t believe that’s true, though it’s impossible to say since the vaccines have not been around that long. The expectation is we will have good immunity for 9-12 months. A booster will probably be needed then.