The speed at which effective vaccines against COVID-19 were developed is unprecedented in the history of medicine. Less than a year after the World Health Organization declared the spread of the novel coronavirus a pandemic, researchers had developed hundreds of potential vaccines, and several earned widespread approval as both safe and effective for administration under emergency conditions. 

Compressing the timeline

By means of comparison, scientists first identified the polio virus in 1908, but it was not until the 1950s that the first inoculations began. The pre-COVID timeline for the development of a vaccine to address a new type of virus often spanned a decade or more. In the 1960s, the development of a mumps vaccine in a mere four years was extraordinary. So, it was the very speed of development of the COVID vaccines that has contributed to disinformation campaigns questioning—without evidence—their safety and reliability.

The long view

The big picture of the development of today’s COVID vaccines shows that the miracle of a year was built on decades of focused, painstaking study and development of innovative methodologies. University and government researchers, as well as pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna, had already explored similar viruses and similar techniques for delivering vaccines against them. 

Long before SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, garnered panic-stricken headlines, researchers had mapped structures, effects, and vulnerabilities of its close genetic relatives, the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) virus and the MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome) virus. In addressing SARS-CoV-2, researchers also had access to existing designs for vaccines against flu and other viral infections. 

The validation that came quickly

In addition, timelines for clinical trials on the vaccines and their manufacture were able to coincide to some degree without cutting corners on safety. By fall 2020, the virus raged out of control in many parts of the United States and the world. Tragically and ironically, the fact that it had permeated the population to such an extent meant that there was much less of a time lag than usual in getting accurate data on vaccine effectiveness in the decisive trials. That second wave resulted in a de facto living laboratory proving the vaccinated volunteers’ robust immunity.

It’s also important to note that people from a wide demographic participated in the clinical trials, including a substantial number of older adults and people of color. The effectiveness of the vaccines currently approved in the US have thus been shown both safe and effective across most categories of gender, age, and ethnicity.

Putting dollars where they count

Funding also played an outsize part. In 2020 the United States government committed enormous resources to fighting COVID, pledging more than $10 billion to pharmaceutical firm researchers. The unprecedented scale of the global health crisis also spurred drug manufacturers and major philanthropists to raise their own commitments of money and attention. Relieved of pressure to constantly fundraise, researchers were able to concentrate on what they do best: follow the science.

As more adults have become eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, families are beginning to start looking forward to traveling and public activities again. But though most adults can now safely get the vaccine, none of the current approved vaccines are available to individuals under the age of 16.

This is expected to change soon—as of May 7, the FDA is reported to be on the verge of authorizing the Pfizer vaccine for use in children ages 12 to 15.  However, children younger than this may not be able to receive a vaccine for some time.

This begs the question, what activities or types of travel are safe for families if the adults are vaccinated, but the children in the family are not? Can you as vaccinated adults safely go out and travel without worrying about bringing home the virus to your unvaccinated children? Should you allow visitors in your home? Here are some things to keep in mind when your children still aren’t vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Can We Visit Extended Family?

For many people around the world, it has been well over a year since they have been able to safely visit extended family who don’t live nearby. People are looking forward to visiting with these relatives now that more and more people are vaccinated, and restrictions have begun to lift. But is this safe if you have unvaccinated children that you’ll be taking with you or seeing at your family gatherings?

Most experts say that as long as you and other adults in your group are vaccinated, you should be relatively safe. But keep in mind, if you are at an indoor gathering with multiple unvaccinated children in attendance, it is best to wear a mask and continue to wash your hands (and the children’s hands) frequently. In general, outdoor activities are safer than indoor gatherings, so keep that in mind when planning your family events.

Travel Safety

Fully vaccinated people can now travel in relative safety, but if you are bringing unvaccinated children along, consider some additional safety precautions. If possible, try to travel by car to avoid the extra risk you will incur if traveling by airplane. In a plane, you’ll not only be confined to an enclosed place for an extended period of time; you will also be exposed to significantly more people, who may or may not be vaccinated like you. Car travel limits that exposure.

As far as international travel goes, most health experts would advise against traveling to international destinations at the moment. There are several coronavirus variants of concern in different countries around the world, many of which may be more resistant to vaccines and more contagious. For now, it’s best to keep all travel destinations domestic, to avoid unnecessary risk to your family.

The COVID-19 vaccine rollout is well underway, but that doesn’t mean that new infections will be over. It may be more likely that these coronavirus infections will be less severe than in the past, and that could mean you won’t need a stay in the hospital, which is a good thing. However, you will still need to know how to treat your case of COVID-19 at home without direct supervision from your healthcare provider.

COVID-19 is a type of viral infection, and as such, there are not too many medications that will treat it effectively. But there are a few things you can do at home to help potentially shorten the length of infection and care for yourself while you are ill.

Medications for Coronavirus

Most of the medications that have been used to treat COVID-19 infections at this point are only approved for use in extremely severe cases. For milder cases that can be managed at home, healthcare providers suggest instead that you use some readily available over-the-counter medications to deal with pain and reduce fever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. You might also try other medications that can help with a cold or the flu, including cough medicines, lozenges, or home remedies like honey and lemon. These can help with a cough or sore throat if you experience these symptoms.

At-Home Treatments

If you find yourself at home with a milder case of COVID-19, healthcare providers advise that you take steps similar to those you might take if you had a bad cold or a case of the flu. Try to stay hydrated by drinking lots of water or juice, eat nutrient-rich foods, and rest. Getting good rest is perhaps the most important thing you can do at home to take care of yourself. Be sure to get plenty of sleep and try to avoid any strenuous activity while you are feeling ill to allow your body time to recover and fight off the virus. Stay isolated in the home and wear a mask when you are able so that you don’t put other members of your household at risk. Try to sanitize high-touch surfaces frequently, and avoid having any unnecessary visitors in your home.

Warning Signs

While treating your case of COVID-19 at home, stay alert for warning signs that you might need more intensive medical attention. If you have trouble breathing, bluish lips, new feelings of confusion, difficulty staying awake, and persistent chest pain or pressure, call your doctor right away to seek advice.

With the vaccine rollout underway around the world, many people expected to see an end to new coronavirus infections, particularly for those who have already been vaccinated. But the reality is no vaccine, no matter how good, can be completely, 100% effective. There will always be so-called “breakthrough infections” in individuals that are fully vaccinated, which the CDC defines as more than two weeks out from the final vaccine.

In the media, these breakthrough infections have made headlines. However, here’s what scientists and medical experts have to say about them.

Not an Unexpected Development

Health experts around the world have noted that breakthrough infections are not unexpected. No vaccine is 100% effective. For example, the Pfizer vaccine was 95% effective and the Moderna vaccine was 94.1% effective at preventing COVID-19 in clinical trials.

Given these statistics, it’s inevitable that some people who have been fully vaccinated will still come down with an infection. Dr. Anthony Fauci notes that there are likely to be hundreds and maybe even thousands of fully vaccinated individuals who get COVID-19.

However, it is crucial to compare these numbers with the tens of millions of people who have been vaccinated. Breakthrough infections are extremely rare. The CDC announced 5,800 breakthrough COVID-19 infections out of nearly 77 million people who have been fully vaccinated. Most of these 5,800 people did not require hospitalization. Many did not even exhibit symptoms. Just 7% of the 5,800 needed to be hospitalized, and 74 people died of their infection. These deaths are obviously tragic, but 74 out of 77 million is an extremely miniscule percentage.

The Case for Vaccines

Vaccines are still incredibly effective and an essential tool for stopping the pandemic. Breakthrough infections are possible, but rare. What’s more, even if you do come down with a breakthrough after being fully vaccinated, your illness is likely to be much less severe than it would be if you weren’t vaccinated.

In addition, medical experts note that the vaccine is still recommended even if you have already had a COVID-19 infection. Though there is some natural immunity that comes from a previous infection, such natural immunity is unpredictable and inconsistent among different people. For some, it may be long-lasting, but for others, it can be much shorter and weaker. As many as 9% of people who have recovered from COVID-19 may not show detectable antibodies, and as many as 5% might lose immune protection completely within just a few months.

In contrast, the vaccines generate T-cell and antibody responses with much greater strength and consistency than any immunity you might get from an infection.

All over the United States, vaccine eligibility is beginning to open up to the general population. As this happens, many are asking what they should do with their CDC vaccination card once they have been fully vaccinated.

Proving that you have had a coronavirus vaccine is something that might become important, especially for travel purposes. Those who plan on traveling internationally in the next year might find themselves obligated to prove vaccination. Vaccine passports are now a hot topic in the United States, with many opinions on both sides. Proving vaccination for various purposes has been around for years. For instance, children are required to prove they have received appropriate vaccines before starting school, and traveling to certain countries requires proof of specific vaccinations as well.

There are no official vaccine passports set up yet, but the prospect is on the horizon. In the meantime, if you have received both doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines or the single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, here is what you should do with your white vaccination card from the CDC.

The CDC Vaccination Card

While waiting for official ways to document your status as fully vaccinated against coronavirus, that white CDC vaccination card is your best bet to prove your fully vaccinated status. Many people are rushing to find ways to preserve their card and protect it, but before you rush out to laminate your vaccine record card, there are a few other things you can do.

Certainly, laminating the card could help preserve it and protect it from moisture or other things that might damage it, but consider waiting. Experts suggest taking a photo of your card after each dose, if possible, just in case you happen to lose it between doses. E-mail a copy of the photo to yourself to ensure you have a digital copy. Additionally, you might consider making a copy of the card and laminating that instead of the original. Because the vaccine is so new, we don’t yet know if we will need to get booster shots in the future. Leaving your original vaccination card as-is would allow for booster shots to be documented on the original card.

For now, you may want to store your original vaccination card in a safe space, like a fireproof safe or another protected area, along with other important documents like passports, birth certificates, and Social Security cards. Keep a digital or physical copy of the card with you, if possible, and keep an eye out for news regarding legitimate vaccine passports.

Featured Image courtesy Marco Verch | Flickr

With the vaccine rollout picking up speed around the world, many people are asking about the likelihood of contracting the virus even after vaccination. Though the existing coronavirus vaccines have impressive numbers as far as efficacy is concerned, no vaccine is ever going to be 100 percent effective against a virus. That said, the currently available vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech have very high numbers, and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is also highly effective. So, can you still contract the virus between doses or after you are fully vaccinated? And if you can and do contract coronavirus anyway, what should you do?

Between Doses

Health experts are quite insistent that between doses (for the two vaccines that require two doses for full efficacy) you must maintain safe practices, such as wearing a mask when in contact with others, washing your hands frequently, and maintaining proper social distancing guidelines. This is because it is possible to contract coronavirus between doses of the vaccine when it has not yet achieved full efficacy.

If this happens to you, note that the guidelines are the same as those for people who have a coronavirus infection with symptoms and are not yet vaccinated. Essentially, you should remain in isolation until 10 days after your last fever or symptom if you have symptoms. With no symptoms but a positive coronavirus test, stay in isolation for 10 days following your last positive test.

If this happens to you, follow these guidelines, and if the isolation period overlaps with your scheduled second vaccination date, you should reschedule that appointment. A delay in receiving the second shot is likely not an issue, so simply go in for that second shot as soon as your quarantine period is up.

Can I Spread COVID-19 after Being Vaccinated?

Another cause for concern as vaccinations increase is whether fully vaccinated individuals could still spread the virus to those who are unvaccinated. The truth is that right now, there is not enough information to know for sure. The CDC notes that vaccinated individuals can still carry the virus without experiencing symptoms (asymptomatic infection), but the jury is still out on whether vaccinated individuals can spread the virus. There is some emerging evidence to indicate that vaccination is helping to slow the spread, but this research is quite limited. However, studies are still needed on individuals living with or working closely with people who are vaccinated. In the meantime, stay vigilant about protective measures and continue to mask and socially distance when in public.

The coronavirus pandemic has pushed medical researchers and scientists to the limit. They’ve worked frantically to create effective vaccines and to find better treatments for COVID-19. Vaccines were developed and approved for emergency use at record speeds, and mass vaccinations are now underway all over the world.

There are a broad variety of treatments for COVID-19, including everything from drugs like dexamethasone and remdesivir for serious cases, to monoclonal antibody treatments for mild to moderate cases. Because of the novel nature of the disease, healthcare providers initially did not have a real idea of what would work—they were forced to try treatments developed for other types of severe respiratory infections.

In recent months, the press has focused more on the development of vaccines than on new treatments or therapies. However, Pfizer, one of the companies responsible for bringing a coronavirus vaccine to market, is testing a new pill that could be used to treat coronavirus. Here is what we know.

Early Signs of Illness

Coronavirus infections are different for every individual, ranging from relatively mild illness that can be treated with rest at home, and severe illness resulting in long hospitalizations or death. Many of the treatments recommended now for COVID-19 patients are used either exclusively in the hospital or are restricted to patients who are at an increased risk for severe infection.

This leaves individuals without risk factors at a loss. However, i many cases, the severity of coronavirus infections can seem random. The virus can manifest as a very mild case in a person with many risk factors, and other times cause an otherwise healthy person to be hospitalized.

Pfizer recently announced that it was beginning human trials for a new pill that could be used to treat coronavirus infections in the early stages of the illness. The pill would be the first oral antiviral treatment of its kind for coronavirus.

Protease Inhibitors

Pfizer’s pill is a type of drug known as a protease inhibitor. The drug binds to a particular enzyme (called a protease) in order to prevent the virus from being able to replicate. These types of medications have been used successfully in treating other illnesses caused by viruses, including hepatitis C and HIV.

The chief scientific officer of Pfizer, Mikael Dolsten, noted in a recent press statement that the new coronavirus mutations and the continuing global struggle to contain the pandemic are signs that access to treatment options could be critically important in the months to come. Vaccines aren’t enough on their own. Dolsten also notes that so far, no unexpected problems have arisen during the trials, and results could be seen in just a few weeks.

Besides Pfizer, Merck is also conducting human trials of its coronavirus pill, molnupiravir. The drug is being developing in conjunction with Ridgeback Biotherapeutics and works differently from the Pfizer protease inhibitor.

As we move ever closer to the beginning of the new post-pandemic normal, more people are getting their coronavirus vaccines. Interestingly enough, some individuals who had reported experiencing severe “long COVID” symptoms—meaning that they experienced a variety of debilitating symptoms long after the infection had cleared—are now reporting their symptoms are either much improved or completely gone after receiving the vaccine. What do we know so far about the possibility of vaccines improving the symptoms of people with “long COVID”?

Long COVID Symptoms

People who experience “long COVID” report a variety of diverse symptoms. From shortness of breath and a racing heartbeat to brain fog, difficulty remembering things, and extreme fatigue, long COVID symptoms can prove debilitating and may last for weeks and even months after the initial infection ends. Some people have been experiencing long COVID symptoms for a full year. Researchers understand very little about why some people experience long COVID and others seem to quickly recover. It seems to affect a diverse group of people with little in common. Long COVID clinics have even begun to open all over the country, and the world is focused on trying to provide treatment and helping people to find relief.

Could the Vaccine Be Helping?

Now that more vaccines are available, there is some anecdotal evidence to suggest that after receiving the full vaccine dosage (both shots), long COVID symptoms may subside. Doctors have reported a variety of data from their own patients. Dr. Daniel Griffin, an infectious disease physician at Columbia University, noted that around 40% of his long COVID patients had some relief of their symptoms. In addition, a small study at the University of Bristol that studied long-haulers receiving the vaccine as compared with those who did not found a small amount of improvement in long COVID symptoms, as well. There have also been a few surveys indicating that people who received the vaccine have seen some improvement.

But most doctors are quick to note that it is much too early to conclusively decide whether the coronavirus vaccine could really result in an improvement in long-hauler symptoms. While many individuals have reported some improvement in their symptoms, others state that they did not experience any significant changes after receiving the vaccine. Still others say that instead, their symptoms actually worsened after being vaccinated. For now, this is yet another aspect of so-called “long COVID” that doctors will have to research.

The United States is slowly moving through the various stages of the vaccine rollout, and as more people get vaccinated, more begin to wonder what they need to do afterward. Can you go to restaurants? Can you visit unvaccinated family members? Are masks still needed after you are fully vaccinated? These have been just some of the questions asked by the public as the vaccine rollout continues.

On March 8, 2021, the CDC released much-anticipated post-vaccine guidance to the general public. Here is an overview of what experts suggest after you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Who Qualifies as “Fully Vaccinated”?

Currently, there are three vaccines available for emergency use: Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson. Both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna require two shots spaced several weeks apart, while the Johnson & Johnson vaccine requires just a single shot to be fully effective. The CDC considers someone fully vaccinated once they are two weeks out from the final shot.

What Can I Do after I’m Fully Vaccinated?

The CDC has offered a few recommendations for what fully vaccinated individuals can do differently once they have received all the required doses of the coronavirus vaccine. First, maskless indoor gatherings with other vaccinated people are now considered safe, and indoor gatherings with unvaccinated individuals (provided they come from the same household and none of them are considered high risk) can take place without masks. If you are exposed to COVID-19, it is no longer considered necessary to quarantine or get tested unless you are experiencing some of the common COVID-19 symptoms.

Remaining Cautionary Measures

There are still some things that you should continue to be cautious about, even if you are fully vaccinated. For example, the CDC still recommends that you take certain precautions such as wearing a mask, keeping 6 feet of distance, and avoiding medium- or large-sized crowds, even after being fully vaccinated. Keep these measures in place while visiting with unvaccinated individuals from different households, while around an unvaccinated person who is at high risk, and when out in public places.

In general, the CDC also suggests that you delay international and domestic travel plans if possible, and if you must travel, be sure to follow CDC recommendations. If you do experience symptoms of COVID-19 after being fully vaccinated, you should still get tested for COVID-19 and take care to self-quarantine and stay away from others.

This is just the first step towards a new normal, and the CDC notes that as we gain more knowledge about how COVID-19 immunity works, these recommendations may change.

Researchers are continually gaining more knowledge about COVID-19 and how it manifests in different people. One trend that is becoming more prevalent is the presence of so-called COVID long-haulers, or patients who experience new or persistent symptoms for four weeks or more past the time the initial infection resolved. Though a large portion of people who contract COVID-19 seem to recover within a few days or weeks, an estimated 10 percent to 30 percent of patients experience symptoms for much longer. Now, these COVID long-haulers are looking for answers and turning to their doctors for treatment.

Treating Long-Haul COVID

Around the world, clinics are beginning to pop up that are dedicated to treating patients with the lingering after-effects of COVID-19. Experiencing a range of symptoms, many of these individuals are still struggling with recovery for months, even up to a full year after the initial infection cleared. But despite the huge numbers of people now reporting these types of symptoms (more than 8 million in the United States alone), very little is known about the condition and how to treat it. COVID long-haulers report more than 100 different symptoms ranging from chronic and debilitating fatigue and shortness of breath to hair loss. Even the type of patient is not consistent—long-haulers include men and women of all different ages, and while some were hospitalized during their original COVID-19 infection, others have reported only mild symptoms.

Types of Treatment

The treatments for COVID long-haulers currently do not follow a standard. Patients are trying everything from mindfulness techniques, to common allergy medications, to speech and physical therapy, to even eating oranges. Some experts theorize that eating oranges may provide a vitamin C boost or that the juice could help with clearing congestion; whatever the cause, eating oranges seems to help some patients.

More Research

Research into long-haulers has been slow, but with more patients emerging with sometimes severe symptoms, it is time to try and understand the cause. Some early research indicates that long-haul patients may have trouble with their autonomic nervous system, a body system that regulates things your body takes care of automatically (for example, constricting blood vessels), but the range in symptoms is still baffling. Patients experience brain fog, extreme fatigue, irregular heartbeats, trouble breathing, and more. Hopefully, we will soon understand this condition more fully.