23D MDG addresses concerns about COVID-19 vaccine

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman John Crampton
  • 23d Wing Public Affairs

The 23d Wing is working to increase awareness of the safety and availability of vaccine immunizations for COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused more than 570,000 deaths in the United States. The 23d Medical Group seeks to decrease case numbers by ensuring accurate and up-to-date information is available for anyone hesitant about receiving the vaccine, and vaccination appointments are available for those who want them.

“Some people are scared,” said Lt. Col. Travis Russell, 23d Operational Medical Readiness Squadron commander and 23d Wing public health emergency officer. “Operation Warp Speed was really effective for making the vaccines. There's been millions, if not billions of (other) vaccines that have been given over time, and the data shows vaccines are generally safe and effective.”

The 23d MDG is administering the Moderna variant of the vaccine, which requires an initial dose followed by a second dose after 28 days. Testing has confirmed the vaccine to be 94% effective in preventing a severe infection from the COVID-19 virus.

“(Vaccine manufacturers) were very careful to make sure that as many people as possible would be able to get this vaccine with little to no side effects,” said Master Sgt. Alexandra McElwain, Warrior Medical Clinic flight chief and operations coordinator for the Moody vaccination site. “The typical response we're seeing is maybe a little bit of muscle ache in the spot of the injection and some fatigue — just a normal immune response.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the majority of side effects are mild to moderate. Those side effects could include soreness and swelling in the arm with the injection site, fever, nausea, headache and fatigue.

The Food and Drug Administration and CDC are aware of rare cases with more severe effects, such as anaphylaxis, otherwise known as an allergic reaction.

“If you do have that response, you're going to have that response in the first two to three minutes,” McElwain said. “That's why we have (patients) hang out for a 15 minute to 30 minute observation period. For patients that do have an anaphylaxis response, we have EpiPens on site and we are filled with medics, providers and nurses that can respond.”

Along with a fear of immediate side effects, experts are also aware of rumors that the vaccine can adversely affect pregnancy or cause infertility. According to a CDC study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, early data does not suggest any safety concerns for expecting mothers or their babies, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists published a statement that assured patients that there is no evidence that the vaccine can lead to loss of fertility.

For more information about the safety, effectiveness and availability of the vaccine, visit www.cdc.gov, www.vaccines.gov, or www.vaxmoody.com.

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