Sunday House Call, #807, September 12, 2021: The natural history of infections: A virus tells a story. A vaccine burns the pages so the denouement does not happen and most people live happily ever after.

An explanation about the natural history of diseases. In this case how vaccines help your immune system develop the skills and tools to destroy the invading virus and why waning immunity does not mean you have less protection.

The reason why booster doses are recommended for some but not all.

The rationale for recommending COVID vaccine for those who had COVID.

References:

I’ve had COVID; do I need a vaccine?

Do I need a vaccine if I’ve already had COVID-19?

COVID vaccine boosters: the most important questions

The Immune System’s Weirdest Weapon

What We Actually Know About Waning Immunity

Your calls about:

  • Why COVID vaccine is recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
  • A mother has questions about delaying HPV vaccine for her 16 year-old daughter.
  • A man states his physician is counselling him not to get his second Pfizer vaccine based on misinformation. He is understandably confused. No ill effects from first dose. We discuss vaccine safety and overwhelming science recommending he receive his second dose.
  • Low ferritin levels in an elderly woman.

References:
Receipt of mRNA Covid-19 Vaccines and Risk of Spontaneous Abortion

Preliminary Findings of mRNA Covid-19 Vaccine Safety in Pregnant Persons

Why the COVID Vaccines Aren’t Dangerous

COVID-19 presents greater blood clot risk than vaccines, study finds

Delta variant doubles risk of COVID-19 hospitalization for unvaccinated, study suggests

Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine side-effects in high-risk teens mild to moderate, study suggests

The Internet is full of claims that vaccines do not protect us from COVID-19. What recent evidence is there that they do?

Largest Real-World COVID-19 Vaccine Study Confirms Overwhelming Safety