Pine Island Task Force continues to discuss COVID-19 immunizations
Monday’s Feb. 1 Pine Island Task Force meeting was primarily focused on current vaccinations. According to Dr. Jim Koopman, the length of immunity people can expect after receiving a COVID-19 vaccination is extremely varied.
“Some people get practically no immunity and some people have higher levels of immunity, but all of them wane (according to current estimates) lasting no more than two years,” said Koopman, stressing that right now there is a great degree of concern regarding the South African strain of the virus.
“There have been various strains that appear to be more transmissible and could have serious consequences with making the vaccine less effective,” he said. “The South African strain has a particular mutation that really affects the ability of the virus to be neutralized by antibodies from the vaccine or from prior infection. The worry about that particular strain spreading is of concern.” He said there have already been cases of this strain detected in the U.S. from patients who had not even traveled outside the country, indicating that the strain is already there.
“It could take a couple of months for it to get to a serious level, but if it’s already here and it’s escaping as well as it seems to be escaping the immunity and increasing the transmission rate, that’s something that we should be worried about.”
“The immunizations don’t truly give you immunity,” said Task Force member Martha Huard. “They keep you from getting sick, but not from actually carrying it.”
Fellow Task Force member Dr. Daniel Hanley said of vaccine efficacy, 50 to 60 percent efficacy with the flu shot is considered a good percentage. The difference in the various available COVID-19 immunizations efficacy is nominal and not worth quibbling over, he said.
“These vaccines are quite comparable and they’ll do so much more if we use them all as soon as we can,” said Koopman.
“We’re still at the point where there isn’t enough,” said Ellen Ballard, another Task Force member. “There’s tremendous need and there isn’t enough.”
Hanley said that he, along with many other primary physicians, are in the pipeline to receive the vaccines but that the demand is simply overwhelming, although he remains optimistic. Hanley has begun testing for patients with appointments at his office, although for now testing is limited, he said wellness for every islander is one of his greatest priorities.
Task Force member Jim McLaughlin reminded everyone to check his Facebook page, Jim Mac’s Pine Island Updates for the latest updates regarding testing and vaccinations, which change frequently.