I want to shed some light on the Covid-19 vaccine. I get asked a lot of questions about this and whether or not it should be taken. While I can’t advise you what to do (this is out of my scope and should be a decision each person makes on their own), I can help share some info that might help you make a decision. There are a lot of “what if’s?”. My clients were asking me these questions below. The answers to these questions are taken from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and National Institute of Health (NIH). Please see my suggestions on homeopathic remedies to help with side effects of the vaccines should you take them.
How long will the vaccine last?
CDC: Both this disease and the vaccine are new. We don’t know how long protection lasts for those who get infected or those who are vaccinated. The need for and timing of booster doses for mRNA COVID-19 vaccines has not been established. No additional doses beyond the two-dose primary series are recommended at this time.
NIH: It is too early to know how long protection with a COVID-19 vaccine will last.
How effective will the vaccine be?
CDC: Preliminary data suggest high vaccine efficacy in preventing COVID-19 following receipt of two doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. Limited data is currently available regarding the efficacy of a single dose. The first shot primes the immune system, helping it recognize the virus, and the second shot strengthens the immune response. Clinical trials demonstrated similar safety and efficacy profiles in persons with some underlying medical conditions, including those that place them at increased risk for severe COVID-19. No data is currently available on the safety and efficacy of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in persons with autoimmune conditions, though these persons were eligible for enrollment in clinical trials.
NIH: The investigational vaccine known as mRNA-1273(Moderna) was 94.1% efficacious in preventing symptomatic coronavirus disease 2019. The vaccine also demonstrated efficacy in preventing severe COVID-19. Data from Phase 3 clinical trials of the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines indicate that the vaccines are highly effective in preventing severe infection.
Will the vaccine work for mutated Covid?
CDC: Scientists are working to learn more about how easily they might spread, whether they could cause more severe illness, and whether currently authorized vaccines will protect people against them. At this time, there is no evidence that these variants cause more severe illness or increased risk of death.
Are there any short or long-term side effects?
CDC Short Term: Vaccine recipients may expect local (e.g., pain, swelling, erythema at the injection site, localized axillary lymphadenopathy on the same side as the vaccinated arm) and systemic (e.g., fever, fatigue, headache, chills, myalgia, arthralgia) post-vaccination symptoms. Depending on vaccine product (Pfizer vs. Moderna), age group, and vaccine dose, approximately 80–89% of vaccinated persons develop at least one local symptom and 55–83% develop at least one systemic symptom following vaccination. Most systemic post-vaccination symptoms are mild to moderate in severity, occur within the first three days of vaccination, and resolve within 1–3 days of onset. These symptoms are more frequent and severe following the second dose and among younger persons compared to older persons. Hypersensitivity-related adverse events were observed in 0.63% of participants who received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and 1.5% of participants who received the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, compared to 0.51% and 1.1%, respectively, in the placebo groups. Anaphylaxis following vaccination was not observed in the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines clinical trials. However, anaphylactic reactions have been reported following receipt of mRNA vaccines outside of clinical trials.
CDC Long term: Due to the relative speed with which these vaccines were developed, patients’ concerns about long-term side effects are reasonable and to be expected. The FDA and CDC are continuing to monitor safety, to make sure even long-term side effects are identified. As more people get vaccinated over time we will learn more about very rare or long-term side effects. That is why safety monitoring will continue. Cases of Bell’s Palsy were reported following vaccination in participants in both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines clinical trials. However, the FDA does not consider these to be above the frequency expected in the general population and has not concluded that these cases were causally related to vaccination. The mRNA in the vaccine is degraded quickly by normal cellular processes and does not enter the nucleus of the cell. However, the potential risks of mRNA vaccines to the pregnant person and the fetus are unknown because these vaccines have not been studied in pregnant people. Adolescents aged 16–17 years are included among persons eligible to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine under the EUA. While vaccine safety and efficacy data in this age group are limited, there are no biologically plausible reasons for safety and efficacy profiles to be different than those observed in persons 18 years of age and older. Children and adolescents younger than 18 years of age are not authorized to receive the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at this time.
The only people who the CDC says should not get the vaccine are people with allergies to Polyethylene Glycol (PEG), an ingredient in both mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. It is structurally related to polysorbate and cross-reactive hypersensitivity between these compounds may occur
Can I get Covid after the vaccine?
CDC: Given the currently limited information on how much the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines may reduce transmission in the general population and how long protection lasts, vaccinated persons should continue to follow all current guidelines to protect themselves and others.
NIH: Although mRNA-1273 is highly efficacious in preventing symptomatic COVID-19, there is not yet enough available data to draw conclusions as to whether the vaccine can impact SARS-CoV-2 transmission.
How Safe is the vaccine for pregnant or lactating women?
CDC: “Not thought to be a risk” there is no data for women who are pregnant or lactating.
Important information: This is for doctors to share with their patients.
CDC: Be transparent that the vaccine is not a perfect fix. Patients will still need to practice other precautions like wearing a mask, social distancing, handwashing and other hygiene measures until public health officials say otherwise.
Whether to vaccinate is a difficult decision for everyone especially those who are in the medical field and on the frontlines. I think that boosting your immune system is very important, which is really what this vaccine is trying to do: boost your immune system against the Covid virus. Eating a diet full of dark leafy green veggies, fresh fruit, whole grains and protein while ensuring you’re getting plenty of good quality sleep and exercise, you will prime your immune system to fight against all pathogens!
Suggestions for Homeopathic Remedies after the vaccine if you have reactions:
- Thuja 30c: If there are any side effect this my first suggestion, can help with overall side effects of a vaccine. Take one dose daily for 3 days. Stop after 1 day if symptoms improve.
- Silica 30c For headache or fever take one dose daily for 3 days. Stop after 1 day if symptoms improve.
- Ledum 30c Take immediately after vaccine for local reactions, for pain at the site of the injection. Take another dose 3 hours later if there is still discomfort.
- Gelsemium 30c For body aches, headaches, lethargy and fever. Take one dose daily for 3 days. Stop after 1 day if symptoms improve.
If the side effects persist beyond that I would suggest contacting your homeopath as it may be a different remedy.
Homeopathic Remedies to help boost your immune system and overall health:
- Thymuline 9c once a week
- Influenzinum 2020/2021 30c once a week
- Briar Rose 1-3 times a week as needed
As always, these are just my suggestions, I am not making any claims, please see your health care provider for guidance and then call your homeopath. As with any illness it’s best to have individualized treatment when using Homeopathy.