Dr Melinda Whitfield
All you need to know about getting vaccinated
We have all had to suspend disbelief to a degree over the past 18 months. Who would have thought we would be surreally walking the streets in masks, being doused in sanitizers at shop doors in 2021. And whilst the loudest message we hope that this strange time sends, is ‘take control of your health’ the newest message is also, ‘get your COVID-19 vaccine when you can!’ Our team have all had theirs.
Yes, most of us had the expected day of symptoms that followed the J&J vaccine, some of them lingered… but we are all a little lighter knowing that we have 85% protection from severe disease and 100% protection from being admitted to hospital with severe COVID, as demonstrated in the trials so far¹. We are also 74% less likely to transmit the virus to patients or loved ones if we do get it.
The recently available Pfizer vaccine offers 90% protection from severe disease and 100% protection from hospitalisation in trials (94% in the real world). Also a 72-95% effectiveness against the South African strain and risk of asymptomatic transmission if you do still contract SARS-Cov 2². Read more here.
Often, the greatest of man’s triumphs are a double-edged sword. With man’s advances, we walk through doors into landscapes that bring new challenges. Historically, many of our vaccines contained heavy metal adjuvants, like mercury or aluminum, in tiny doses. The effect of these metals on the brain has been challenged by more naturopathic practitioners and some questions regarding the impact of using vaccines containing metals in vulnerable individuals is still a topic of debate among some practitioners. In spite of this, medical advances have eradicated many debilitating infectious diseases like Polio, Smallpox and much of Measles to name a few.
When the greater good is at hand, the sheer volume of an intervention means that there will be some fallout. On an individual level, it is far easier to discern those who do not fit the most predictable mould and so to protect them. The greater good is certainly our current greatest concern. We need borders to open, flights to depart, money to change hands and businesses to rebuild.
The COVID-19 vaccines that are available to us neither contain heavy metals, nor change our DNA. They present the spike protein characteristic of SARS-Cov 2 to our immune systems so that our bodies can prepare for a future attack. This enables a level of immunity without contracting the illness and for our bodies to be prepared if and when we are exposed to the real thing. All drugs have side effects. It is a fact of life. Even too much vitamin C will give you diarrhea. But; when measured, when appraised by a wealth of scientific literature, scientific brains across the globe, with the greater good of mankind at heart and the dictum of ‘first, do no harm…’ we are here to tell you, it’s ok.
We encourage everyone to get the Covid-19 vaccine when it becomes available to them. This act will help to curb the pandemic, reduce the transmission rate, relieve the burdens on our healthcare system during peaks, and allow our economy to open up so that we can put food into bellies and money in the bank.
We also want to acknowledge that it is your constitutional right to choose whether you are vaccinated. If you have specific concerns, we strongly encourage you to see your GP and have a conversation with a well informed medical practitioner to reassure you or help you make the right individual decision.
Here’s our take on the most frequently asked questions we’ve heard regarding the vaccine.
Should I get vaccinated even if I have already had Covid?
If you have had Covid-19 before, you should still get the vaccine as it will help your immune system to make more memory T cells and neutralising antibodies for a future attack and it will extend your natural immunity. We often recommend targeted vaccines after a patient has had a disease to help prevent a recurrence.
Do I still have to wear a mask after having been vaccinated?
In exciting news, the CDC³ has just announced that vaccinated individuals will no longer be required to wear masks under most circumstances. This is a great incentive to get your vaccine so that you can see more smiling faces each day and save those many minutes searching for a mask before heading out the door! Did you know that you are hardwired to respond to another smile with a smile of your own? When you smile, tiny psychoactive neuropeptides are released, increasing your dopamine and serotonin, making you a happier, more lovely human.
The current South African restrictions still recommend all the non-pharmaceutical interventions until we can get to a level of herd immunity. Be especially responsible when you are in poorly ventilated or crowded environments. Do your best to avoid these and spend time with loved ones in the fresh air outdoors.
Should I worry about an allergic reaction?
While we know we only have data of about 12 months of adverse effects, we know from other vaccines, that adverse effects are almost always seen early after administration. Anaphylaxis is extremely rare and almost always affects those with a history of this sort of reaction from other vaccines. A history of allergy to polyethylene glycol which is contained in many vaccines, can cause an anaphylactic reaction. This is extremely rare and a history of allergy to a previous vaccine should be individually assessed. People who have allergies to bees, penicillin, food or environmental allergens are NOT at risk.
Is there any danger of blood clots?
Clotting disorders are at this stage NOT a contraindication to getting the vaccine, but always check with your specialist first. A very rare vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia has been reported in a handful of cases worldwide.
Should I get vaccinated even if I have already had Covid?
If you have had Covid-19 before, you should still get the vaccine as it will help your immune system to make more memory T cells and neutralising antibodies for a future attack and it will extend your natural immunity. We often recommend targeted vaccines after a patient has had a disease to help prevent a recurrence.
Is the vaccine safe for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding?
The Sisonke trial in SA excluded breastfeeding and pregnant mothers, but the roll out of Pfizer and J&J in Israel has proved safety in both of these groups. Patients are advised to make a decision with their obstetrician. The risk of contracting COVID-19 during pregnancy currently outweighs the risk of an adverse reaction from the vaccine.
We remain optimistic that roll out to South Africans over sixty years old will scale up soon. Help your loved ones to register on the EVDS and with their medical schemes. The sooner we are all vaccinated, the sooner we can get back to life, gatherings and the meaningful connections that make us human.
We can’t help but throw in this, too; the more physically fit and well you are, the more efficient your immune system will be at creating the antibodies and T cells you need to protect you after your vaccine. We know from clinical trials that athletes mount a stronger immune response than sedentary individuals. So, if there weren’t enough reasons to get moving or keep moving already, there’s another poignant one for you!
Some Tips to boost your immune system:
- Reduce your sugar intake. That includes juice, fizzy drinks, sweets, treats, crumbed foods, fast foods, readymade sauces.
- Eat something green every day (Broccoli, lettuce, spinach, moroggo, mint, coriander, basil, oreganum).
- Get moving, walk, jump, skip, hike, swim, dance. We were not evolved to sit all day.
- Spend meaningful time with your children and your partner. Visit the elderly in the safety of our mild outdoor sunshine.
- Get enough sleep – 8 hours for most of us, go to bed before 10pm.
- Stay well hydrated with water.
- Eat less animals and more plants, this has a positive impact on your bowel habits, your hormone balance, the environment, the commercial animal food industry and its carbon footprint.
- Do not smoke and reduce your alcohol intake to a minimum.
- Alcohol is a depressant, it disturbs sleep, causes weight gain if taken in excess and slows you down.
- Remember to be mindful as we enter the third wave. Be responsible and avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces.
Wash your hands and wear your mask which we encourage you to wash often! Use your brain to be kind, thoughtful and curious. It’s a beautiful world. Don’t forget that.
We encourage everyone to get the Covid-19 vaccine when it becomes available to them. This act will help to curb the pandemic, reduce the transmission rate, relieve the burdens on our healthcare system during peaks, and allow our economy to open up so that we can put food into bellies and money in the bank.
