Answers to questions, fears, questions and concerns raised by citizens about coronavirus vaccination were given by the most expert scientists during the online open event, entitled: “Why should we ALL be vaccinated?” organized by the Department of Medicine of AUTh.
Specifically, the following questions were answered:
I am an athlete and I have a good immune system. I have not been sick for many years. Why should I get the vaccine since I have a low risk of getting sick?
The athlete has very little chance of getting sick but the virus does not discriminate. Especially the mutant strain D affects young people and adolescents and children. Therefore, these people should also be vaccinated because that way they help themselves but at the same time it is an act of social solidarity because they can come in contact with vulnerable groups and transmit the disease.
I’m already sick, why should I get vaccinated? How long after? Is natural immunity better?
There is no official opinion on whether those who became ill should be vaccinated. The prevailing view in the literature at the moment is that they should probably be vaccinated at six months.
What is the mRNA vaccine? Will the mRNA change my DNA if I get the vaccine? Can doses of the vaccine be used to gradually change our DNA?
MRNA is a messenger molecule that contains information, an instruction to form the spike protein. Under no circumstances can it enter the nucleus where the DNA is well stored. DNA cannot be changed. Both doses are made because with the second dose a high concentration of neutralizing antibodies is achieved. In no case can the DNA be changed with either the first or the second dose.
Can someone transmit the virus after being vaccinated? Do I need to take precautions?
All vaccines are effective in preventing disease. However they are not 100% effective. Fully vaccinated individuals are more likely to develop an infection with milder symptoms than non-vaccinated individuals after exposure to the virus and new mutations. Vaccinated people can transmit the virus, so there must be masked protection measures in all areas and keeping a distance.
Is there a risk of getting sick after the vaccination? If so then why should I get vaccinated?
Someone who has been vaccinated can get sick because the vaccine does not provide 100% protection. But he will get sick and he has been vaccinated, he will get very mild.
What should I do if I am vaccinated and come in contact with a person who is HIV positive?
The vaccinated person does not need to do anything specific. The measures must be observed, especially when there are a lot of people to wear the masks.
Do vaccines protect against mutated coronavirus strains? What about the upcoming D and M mutations? Are vaccinated people more likely to “stick” to a mutated strain?
Despite the prevalence of the D mutation internationally, there are five major studies showing that there is at least 75% efficacy and that efficacy is maintained. of vaccines against this variant. Some studies show an even higher percentage that reaches 90%. The M mutation for the WHO is a mutation of interest and not a mutation of concern. This means that it is under monitoring for the next period of time. The mutation is not a cause for concern so we are proceeding normally with the available vaccines. The percentage of vaccinated people who “hangs” and new mutations is much much lower than those who are not vaccinated. There is a possibility that the vaccinated person will “stick” but it is much smaller than the unvaccinated person, but he / she will have a mild illness without treatment.
How do I trust a vaccine that has not been tested and approved within a few months?
The vaccine was approved in a short period of time because very fast global speeds were achieved due to the cooperation and due to the funds invested by all the states but also due to the fact that the approval in different phases was done simultaneously. The security and control rules have been followed, there were just bigger funds and more cooperation that accelerated processes that used to take even two years to complete. The vaccines have been tested by international organizations, they have been approved and now this approval is being extended.
What does urgent approval by the FDA and Coreper mean and what is the difference from the previous type of approval?
In emergencies, regulators provide for fast-moving procedures to authorize a product that meets all efficacy and safety standards. Coreper issues the so-called conditional marketing authorization designed to allow circulation as soon as sufficient data is collected in emergency situations. The US FDA is doing the same with the so-called emergency license that allows the temporary use of a drug under certain conditions until it is completed in the next period and the regulatory authorities are provided with continuous monitoring data and monitoring of the safety of these products. In the US they have reached the point of completing this control, getting the Pfizer vaccine and soon Moderna vaccine to be fully available and remaining permanently available in the market, giving the legal protection to various bodies, companies and organizations.
I have a chronic illness. I’m afraid to get vaccinated because I do not want to burden my body. Should I get a vaccine? Which people should not get the vaccine?
There is no contraindication to vaccination unless the vaccinated person has an allergic reaction to the first dose of the vaccine. Virtually anyone can be vaccinated. The first vaccine studies involved patients who had multiple underlying diseases and the vaccine did not appear to cause an outbreak of an underlying disease. The important thing is that the underlying and chronic diseases are risk factors for serious illness and hospitalization and therefore priority was given to their vaccination.
Why should I vaccinate my children (teenagers 12-17 years old) since the disease at this age is mild? Is this just to protect unvaccinated adults?
Children aged 12 and over should be vaccinated not only to protect vulnerable adults but also themselves. The disease may be milder in children but not always. Hundreds of teenagers were hospitalized, some were admitted to the ICU and a small number died. So as we see an increase in cases in children in recent months and the serious illness as a percentage will increase in the coming months. With the opening of the schools both the disease and the transmission will be greater. That is why they must be vaccinated for their individual protection but also for social protection.
Can children with allergies be vaccinated?
Simple allergies in children are not a contraindication to vaccination. Children who are allergic to any of the components of the vaccine or who have developed an allergy to the first dose cannot be vaccinated.
Is antipyretic recommended before vaccination?
Prophylaxis of paracetamol or other medications is not recommended. If the candidate for vaccination has a fever, it is better to postpone the vaccination. He can take antipyretic after the vaccination if he has symptoms.
What are the most common side effects after vaccination in children and adolescents and adults, in what percentage do they occur? Are there many people who have suffered permanent injuries or died from the vaccine?
Serious side effects are minimal. More than 5 billion doses of vaccine have been administered worldwide. Mostly with the AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines they had the rare side effect of thrombosis. MRNA vaccines seem much safer. A small new complication of mRNA vaccines involves some cases of pericarditis, but a higher incidence of pericarditis and myocarditis after physical illness. These cases were self-limiting without causing permanent injury or death. The main side effects are local and mild. Practically no side effects can be a barrier to vaccination.
Which coronavirus vaccines have been approved for children? Why do children under 12 not get vaccinated?
The mRNA vaccines have been approved. There are no studies for younger children and therefore they are not administered to them
Is large population coverage by vaccination building a wall of immunity or creating resistant strains of the coronavirus?
If the virus circulates uncontrollably, especially in immunocompromised populations, the possibility of more variants increases. This is why it is more recommended for immunosuppressed people to get the vaccines. Especially if this happens in large middle and low income countries then the problems can be even more. We do not expect a wall of immunity to prevent infection because we now know that infection with vaccine for variant D is not completely prevented.
Are Vaccines Safe for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women?
More than 150,000 pregnant women have been vaccinated and registered in a database in the United States. There is absolutely no problem in the fetus, in the woman and in the newborn. Pregnant women are more at risk if they get coronavirus, so it is recommended that they be vaccinated. There is no contraindication to breastfeeding. Fertility is not affected.
The event was attended by the Rector of AUTh, Nikolaos G. Papaioannou, the President of the Department of Medicine, Kyriakos Anastasiadis, the Vice President of the Department of Medicine, Stefanos Triaridis, the Dean of the School of Health Sciences, Theodoros Dardavis , professors Theodoros Kontakiotis, Symeon Metallidis, Konstantinos Natsis, Anna Papa-Konidari, Emmanouil Roilidis, Lemonia Skoura, as well as the professors of the Department Georgios Papazisis and Emmanouil Smyrnakis.
Answers were also given through their interventions by:
Marios Themistokleous, Secretary General of Primary Care of the Ministry of Health.
Elias Mosialos, Professor of Health Policy, London School of Economics.
Athanasios Tsakris, Vice Rector of EKPA, Professor of Microbiology, Member of the Committee of Experts of the Ministry of Health.
Sotirios Tsiodras, Professor of Pathology – Infectious Diseases, EKPA, Member of the Committee of Experts of the Ministry of Health.
Maria Theodoridou, Emeritus Professor of Pediatrics, Chairman of the National Vaccination Committee.
Athanasios Exadaktylos, President of the Panhellenic Medical Association, Member of the Committee of Experts of the Ministry of Health.
Nikolaos Nitsas, president of the Medical Association of Thessaloniki.