COVID-19 Task Force discusses vaccine
On Monday, Dec. 21, the Pine Island COVID-19 Task Force discussed the FDOH app called “Healthy Together” where people can obtain information regarding COVID-19 in Florida, such as testing sites, test results, Florida’s response plan, what to do if you know or believe you’ve been exposed to the virus, vaccine status and cases per day, listing both numbers of active cases as well as current deaths.
Task Force member Sue Dahod inquired whether there was a stipulation on the vaccines between state residency as the Task Force discussed how long it might take to cover each state with vaccinations.
Group leader Eric McCrea stressed the need to remind people about the normalcy of vaccination. Member Katey Largay said it would be helpful to remind people that the COVID-19 vaccination will certainly not be the first vaccine for a great deal of people.
“Many of us are in the age group when polio was prevalent,” said Largay. “Perhaps we should remind people what it was like lining up in the cafeteria to get a sugar cube, and what it was like when they first introduced the DTP, the measles and the chicken pox vaccine.”
Vaccines, she said, are not foreign entities in this country, stressing the degree of their success. “Small pox was eradicated,” she said, “so why don’t we draw on some successful history. Humanity has experience with vaccines.”
Member Martha Huard said she feels it’s important to distinguish the difference between live vaccines, such as the MMR, although it’s now been in-activated, and the COVID-19 vaccine, which she said is far safer, as you are not exposed to the virus upon administration of this vaccine. While member Ellen Ballard agreed, she pointed out the refusal of many people to get a flu shot, based on the idea that it will give them the flu, even though this vaccine has also been in-activated. According to Huard, if someone is undergoing chemo-therapy and is immune suppressed, they’re not allowed to be in the same residence with someone who has received a live vaccine.
“That isn’t the case with this,” said Huard. “It’s safe enough to have around people that are immune suppressed.”