Gynecology Patients: Benefits of Getting COVID-19 Vaccine Information
Obstetric Care Patients: No evidence that Pfizer or Moderna vaccines are unsafe during pregnancy (4/21/2021)
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/21/health/pregnant-covid-vaccine.html
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2104983
What is the COVID-19 Vaccine?
- The vaccine is a messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine. mRNA vaccines teach cells how to make a harmless protein that triggers an immune response to produce antibodies that protect against SARS-COV-2 virus, which may cause COVID-19 infection if it enters the body.
- After cells make copies of the protein, they destroy mRNA from the vaccine.
- There are currently two vaccines available for distribution: the Moderna and Pfizer.
- Both vaccines are preservative-, antibiotic-, and thimerosal-free.
- Neither vaccine have any additives within the vial or diluent.
Pfizer Fact Sheet
Moderna Fact Sheet
What are mRNA Vaccines?
- mRNA technology is new, but not unknown—it has been studied for more than a decade.
- mRNA never enters the nucleus of the cell, which is where our DNA (genetic material) is kept.
- mRNA vaccines do not change or interact with the recipient's DNA in any way
- mRNA vaccines do not use a live virus that causes COVID-19 disease.
- mRNA vaccines cannot give the recipient COVID-19 disease.
Screening of Recipients
Prior to each desired injection, the patient will be screened for eligibility.
- Are you are currently ill with Covid-19 symptoms or another illness? If yes, you must wait 10 days past the start of the symptoms.
- Have you had Covid-19 or been presumed to have Covid-19 within the last 10 days? You must be out of a 10-day isolation window to receive the vaccine.
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Have you had Covid-19 within the last 90 days that was treated with convalescent plasma or passive antibody therapy? If yes, you must wait until 90 days past date therapy was given.
- Have ever had an anaphylactic reaction to a vaccine? This would include symptoms of shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, hives, or needing to use an EpiPen. If yes, the vaccination cannot give in our office. Please discuss with your primary care physician.
- Have you had a vaccine of any kind in the last two weeks? The wait time between receiving any one vaccination must be greater than two weeks to receive the Covid-19 vaccine.
Side Effects of the Vaccine
v-safe Health Checker Tool
v-safe is a smartphone-based tool that uses text messaging and web surveys to provide personalized health check-ins after you receive a COVID-19 vaccination.
There can be some side effects to the vaccine as a result of your body having a normal immune response. These can happen within 12-72 hours of injection and typically only last a few days. Symptoms can be treated with rest, fluids, and pain relievers. Some of these include:
- Pain at injection site
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Muscle or joint pain
- Fever
Severe/anaphylactic reactions to the COVID-19 vaccine are rare, but patients will be monitored for:
- skin reactions, including hives, itching, and flushed or pale skin.
- low blood pressure (hypotension).
- constriction of airways and swollen tongue or throat, which can cause wheezing and trouble breathing.
- a weak and rapid pulse.
- nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
- dizziness or fainting.
