Emergency Medicine doctors speak with Talkeetna Council about COVID-19 vaccines

As the pandemic approaches the one year mark, the Mat-Su Borough’s infection rate for Covid-19 remains stubbornly high, currently one of the highest rates in Alaska. But this could change as vaccinations become more widely available.

Two vaccines for COVID-19 were approved in December, but access to those has been limited to older populations and those who work closely with others.  This month, access to vaccinations is expected to expand and include a wider range of people.  Just this week, the South Central Foundation announced that its clinics will accept appointments, via a link on its website, for any Alaskan over the age of forty or for teachers or child care providers regardless of age.

Emergency Medicine Doctors, Lisa Rabinowitz, and Dave Scordino, spoke to the Talkeetna Community Council at their regularly scheduled meeting Monday, about what the public should know before they get their shot. 

Dr. Rabinowitz spoke about the effectiveness of the two vaccines.

“The cool thing about these vaccines is we know they work very well, and probably the coolest thing is we have 50 million doses already given in the world so we have a lot of information now.  We can see after 28 days after that second vaccination, for both of these, we’re up in the mid 90’s for efficacy, which is amazing.”

Just this week, a third vaccine was approved for emergency use by the FDA.  This one is made by Johnson and Johnson and it only requires only one dose.  Dr. Rabinowitz discussed the merits of choosing one brand of vaccine over another.

“So the big question now, especially that we have three tools in our tool belt:  Is one better than the other?  And I think both Dave and I would tell you:  Whatever one you can get the soonest is the best one to get.  So, the CDC and the FDA just rolled out recommendations today and said there’s not one that’s preferred over any of the other for any different groups.”

According to Dr. Scordino, just over 250,000 vaccinations have now been administered within Alaska.  Approximately 14% of the state’s population is now fully vaccinated and over 20% have had at least one shot.

Dr Rabinowitz went on to note that, out of the 50 million people worldwide who have been vaccinated, no deaths have been attributed to receiving a shot.  There have been some allergic reactions but even those are also proving rare.  Just 4.5 cases per million for the Pfizer vaccination and 2.5 cases per million for Moderna. 

Doctor Rabinowitz made a point of reminding the public that both vaccinations currently available in Alaska require two doses, but she hinted that the third, one-dose shot, may be arriving soon.

“When you do get your first dose, you want to make sure there’s a plan in place to get that second dose.  They’re kind of matched doses, so as this rolls out you want to make sure you have a plan to get your second dose.  Unless it’s Johnson and Johnson, which is the one shot wonder, so you get your one dose and you’re done.”