Infections Rates Have Stopped Declining

New cases are no longer decreasing and have stalled at the current rate. This rate is about the same as what we saw during the second “surge” last June. Unfortunately, deaths are still significantly higher than last summer ^[1]. This could be caused by more contagious variants spreading ^[2] along with a reduction of precautions ^[3]. 

^[4]

It’s important to stay vigilant during the next months. The variants that are spreading are both more contagious as well as more lethal ^[5]. The P.1 variant, originally found in Brazil, can evade antibodies ^[6] and reinfect people ^[7]. This leads me to believe that it might be even more resistant to the current vaccines than the B.1.351 variant, which was first identified in South Africa ^[8]. 

Second Doses

Several of my patients have told me of significant reactions to the second doses of both the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines. This includes fevers, nausea, exhaustion, and flu symptoms. More have needed to take a day off than not. While younger people seem to have more of a reaction ^[9], older people are also getting significant reactions ^[10].

I mention this for people to be prepared. I am scheduled for my second dose on March 17. I’m planning on a late start the following day with the possibility of calling off the rest of the day if I need to. Remember, vaccine effectiveness reaches its maximum, two to three weeks after the second dose ^[11].

Johnson and Johnson aka Janssen Single-Dose Vaccine Approved 

Last week, the FDA approved the Janssen single-dose vaccine. Unlike the previous two vaccines, the Janssen vaccine uses the common cold virus with the Covid-19’s spike protein gene inserted to create an immune response. It significantly reduces infections while drastically reducing severe infections. Out of 40,000 participants, it was 100% effective at preventing hospitalizations and deaths after 28 days after the injection (two hospitalizations, but no deaths, were reported within 14 days after receiving the vaccine). For those who fell ill, it basically turned this deadly virus into a cold ^[12]

Side effects of the vaccine include pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site. Other side effects include ^[13] headaches, fatigue, muscle aches, nausea, and fevers Fewer side effects were reported ^[14] than with the other current vaccines.

Here are the ingredients ^[15]: recombinant, replication-incompetent adenovirus type 26 expressing the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, citric acid monohydrate, trisodium citrate dihydrate, ethanol, 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HBCD), polysorbate-80, sodium chloride.

While not as effective as the Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines, it is effective where it matters the most (hospitalizations and death). It has fewer side effects, less severe side effects,  only needs a single dose, and only needs common refrigeration.

If I wasn’t already waiting for my second Moderna dose, I would feel comfortable taking the Janssen vaccine. 

A pdf version with citations can be downloaded here ^[16].

From my initial article ^[17] on Covid-19 Vaccine Safety:

“As someone who has devoted a significant part of my life to health and natural healing, I’ve never considered getting a flu shot. I’ve not had any vaccinations or antibiotics since I was a teenager. At the same time, I have tried to avoid imposing my personal views on my patients. I truly believe that we are each on our health journey and I strive to be a point of reference and an offering of new possibilities. Not so much a guide as much as a resource. “