Another drop in the number of active COVID-19 patients being treated at The University of Kansas Health System today. 82 people with the active virus are hospitalized, down from 87 Friday, and down from the record high 102 about a week ago. 47 patients are in the ICU, up from 46 Friday. 38 of those ICU patients are on ventilators today, up from 30 Friday. 59 other patients are still hospitalized because of COVID-19 but are out of the acute infection phase, down from 68 Friday. That’s a total of 141 patients, down from 155 Friday. In addition, HaysMed has a total of 25 COVID-19 inpatients, down from 33 Friday, with 20 of those active patients and 5 in the recovery phase.
Doctors say since we’re just over a week out from Thanksgiving, we can expect to see some patients who were infected at Thanksgiving gatherings in the coming week since hospitalizations usually follow infections by about 10-14 days.
On the Morning Media Update today, we began our weeklong in-depth discussion on COVID-19 vaccines from research and side-effects to effectiveness and distribution. Joining Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of Infection Prevention and Control at The University of Kansas Health System and Steve Stites, MD, chief medical officer at the health system were Chair of Internal Medicine, Dr. Matthias Salathe and Dr. Kevin Ault, OBGYN and member of the CDC Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices.
Dr. Ault discussed some of the most dangerous myths he’s heard about the vaccine, the most common that it causes sterility in women. He says it’s not true. He explained how this public health emergency allows the FDA to release the vaccine for use before the official phase three of the clinical trial is over. He feels it’s more important to get the vaccine when it’s available than to worry about which one you get.
Dr. Salathe, has also heard a common myth, that the vaccine will manipulate your genetic code and allow you to be traced which he says is completely false. He says both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are equally as effective and he would get the vaccine tomorrow if it was available. He calls the data, “highly promising,” and says it will help us break out of the current cycle of COVID-19 infections. He says to believe the science as the vaccines will make a difference for all of us.
Dr. Stites discussed logistics around getting the vaccine to those who will get the first doses, saying Pfizer has already begun shipping their doses, and that there are five storage centers in the state, including the health system. He reminded us that in a sea of doubt, there is a mountain of evidence these vaccines work. He says real hope is at our doorstep.
The panel answered media and community questions. Here are the questions in the order the panel addressed them, followed by the short answer. See the video for their full answers and comments.
- If I've had COVID-19, am I eligible to receive a COVID-19 shot? Will I have to take an antibody test? Yes. No antibody test is needed after infection.
- Will the requirement of two doses per vaccination delay phase two and three shots? When will everyone who wants a COVID-19 shot be able to have one? No delay. 20 million doses are available now, with 5 million a week available after the first of the year. Could be middle of 2021 before the general public has full access to the vaccines.
- Do we know if the vaccines will be an annual shot like the flu? Will the COVID-19 vaccine ever be combined with other vaccines like MMR? The current thinking is it will be an annual shot or shots. Too soon to say if it will be combined.
- It takes a flu shot about two weeks before it protects against the flu. How long will it take the COVID-19 vaccine to offer protection? Since two shots will be needed, it will be 6-7 weeks after the first shot to offer full protection.
- Do we have to wear a mask after receiving the vaccine? If yes, for how long? Yes, we must also keep observing the pillars of infection prevention. Could be next October before masks are no longer needed.
- I suffer severe, chronic heart problems and my doctors predict I could never survive COVID-19. Will the vaccine be safe for me to take? Yes, since it does not contain a live virus.
- How soon after taking the second dose will it be OK to try getting pregnant? As soon as you want to.
- Does the vaccine have any side effects on T-cells? None that we know of.
- Does vaccine research continue after an emergency use authorization? What is involved and how does that impact or benefit me? The research will go on for decades.
- Does the vaccine infect me with COVID-19 and am I contagious to others? Should I quarantine after getting the shot? No, you are not contagious and don’t need to quarantine since the vaccine does not contain a live virus. It is designed to trigger an immune response in your body.
- I heard the vaccine doesn't prevent me from getting COVID-19 but might protect me from getting as sick. Is that true? Does it prevent me from infecting others if I get a mild case? It reduces your viral load and makes you less contagious.
Tuesday, December 8 at 8:00 a.m. is the next Morning Media Update, and a special guest joins us. Dr. Gregory Poland is a physician-scientist and the founding and current director of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group. He is editor-in-chief for the journal Vaccine and past president of the Defense Health Board. His work focuses on understanding the genetic drivers of viral vaccine response toward greater immunity as well as the development of novel vaccines against emerging public health threats.
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