As the COVID-19 vaccine becomes more available, younger Americans are asking whether vaccination is the right way to go. Forum contributor Kate Eastman stated her determination to refuse the vaccine, questioned their safety and “celebrated” her “right” of refusal. Forum contributors Stephen Dycus and David Allen addressed the ethical issues, refuting the idea that to vax or not to vax is simply a matter of personal health.
I will focus on the questions about safety that naturally arise because of the remarkable speed with which the vaccines became available and uncertainty about the significance of “emergency use authorization” vs. the longer process of licensing approval.
Congress approved large sums of financing for researchers with promise, allowing them to proceed at a pace that otherwise would have been inconceivable. Increased funding was also allocated to the FDA for trained personnel to do real-time data analysis and evaluation, thus expediting a process that often suffers from delays that we could not, in this crisis, afford.
Researchers were not starting from scratch. Decades of work had been devoted to studying mRNA and developing technologies for harnessing its disease-fighting potential. More on mRNA can be found at STAT (statnews.com). Separately, research on coronaviruses had been ongoing for even longer. Researchers put these two areas of study together.
Regarding methods: The exact same randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, three-stage process for human testing required for licensing approval was done for testing the COVID-19 vaccines available in the U.S. All standards were met or exceeded. The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM.org) has full reports on both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine trials. Efficiencies in other areas, and elimination of wait times related to lack of staffing at the FDA, were what allowed the vaccines to be available for distribution so expeditiously. For an excellent, easy to read comparison graphic, see vaccine.unchealthcare.org.
Dr. Anthony Fauci has said we need a vaccination rate of 70%-80% for “herd immunity.” If the virus continues to replicate, it will continue to mutate. Don’t let the virus be smarter than us!
VIRGINIA HAMBURG
Windsor
The Good Neighbor Health Clinic is grateful for, once again, receiving a donation from the Lebanon Elks Lodge. While members of the Elks presented the clinics with a donation of $2,762 last week, we learned that they also make support of veterans a priority. In recognition of the Elk’s interest in veterans health and wellness, their contribution will be directed to providing dental care for veterans. Last year, the Red Logan Dental Clinic provided free dental care to 31 veterans, who received exams, cleanings and restorative dentistry worth $15,700. These new funds will help Red Logan serve veterans who are in need of a dental home.
The clinic model of volunteer physicians, dentists and support professionals from throughout the Upper Valley coming together to provide treatment is an example of what makes the free clinic a beneficial resource for uninsured and underinsured community members. We appreciate the Elks for their service, financial support and prioritizing their gift to Good Neighbor Health and Red Logan Dental Clinic. We are especially grateful for their continued support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
KRISTEN COATS
Lebanon
The writer is program stewardship coordinator for Good Neighbor Health Clinic.