Frum Nurse Practitioner Shares Thoughts, Addressing Covid Vaccine Concerns

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I have been asked by so many friends and family if I think the Covid 19 vaccine is safe. This includes my mother, who’s asked multiple times, and is married to a pro-vaccine physician. Anything new is scary, we all fear the unknown, especially when we’re expected to inject the unknown into our bodies. I understand that fear. It is with this reasoning that I would like to share my opinion regarding the vaccine, I am specifically addressing the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, which share the same essential components.

When a vaccine is being manufactured, there are two main points that are consistently addressed.

One: Is it effective? Two: Is it safe?

Current data is showing the vaccine’s efficacy at preventing Covid 19 at around 94%. It is 100% effective at preventing severe disease. To compare these numbers to other common vaccines here is the data: Measles and Rubella- 97%, Mumps- 88%, Polio- 99-100%, DTaP- 80-90%, Varicella- 90%.

The effectiveness is resoundingly encouraging. In fact, it appears as though the immunity the vaccine offers, can provide more protection than wild immunity (actually having the disease), Why? The virus itself, not only creates a necessary immune response against the disease, it creates antibodies against interferon, our bodies own natural defense, meaning it causes our bodies to turn against itself. This not only delays our response for recovery, and has caused plenty of fatalities, but stunts our long-lasting immunity.

Two: Is it safe?

When studying safety, you want to address both short- and long-term effects. Virtually all short-term adverse effects of vaccines are seen within six weeks of administration. This is why the phase 3 trial waited 8 weeks post vaccine administration to share their data. Yes, it was done in “warp speed” but that does not mean shortcuts were taken. It means that the typical red tape did not impede the study (finances, willing test subjects, legal hoops to jump through). These studies were held to the same rigorous statistical standards as any other vaccine study. This includes abiding to all requirements, preforming double blind random controlled trial, and ensuring sufficient participation.

I will be honest when I say the book is still out on the long-term effects. I think it is important for this reason to understand how an mRNA vaccine works. Prior to mRNA there is DNA. DNA is a component of every cell, it is the blueprint, the instructions for how the cell should function. It is a permanent part of us, it is responsible for how we look, how we act, and how we respond to environmental elements. The mRNA reads the DNA blueprint and follows its instruction. In the case of this vaccine- it produces a protein expression. This protein expression mimics the S-spike of the Covid 19 virus. This causes our body to make our own natural antibodies against the virus- and create immunity without ever having to be ill. Unlike DNA, mRNA is not permanent, it has a very short shelf life. Being able to use mRNA without the DNA blueprint, ensures that there is no possibility of irreversibly alternating our genome, or passing down an altered genome to future generations.

My fear with this vaccine, and is present with every vaccine I receive or give to my loved ones, is the possibility of immunity overdrive or autoimmunity. While I believe this is a possibility, the risk is immeasurably less than getting the actual virus. Epidemiologists have discovered as many as 800 different antibodies to this virus, when in actuality only 9 are needed to effectively combat the virus. So yes, the vaccine may create an unneeded antibody response, however, it can never compare to what the virus does.

In a perfect world I would not want the virus or the vaccine, and in a selfish world I would let everyone else get the vaccine and benefit from herd immunity, but that’s not where we are, and that’s not who we are. Vaccinate, for yourself, for your loved ones, for the world.

Channah Klor, FNP-BC

*this is an independent opinion that I share, not a medical directive. Each person should speak to their own pcp regarding choice and safety of the vaccine.



4 COMMENTS

  1. So encourages not taking it but keep infecting the community at large which already refuses to wear a mask, keeps gatherings…. like nothing is going on. This should be HER own opinion and not to try to influence others. Keep it to yourself lady! We all have doctors in the family at least 1 or more and guess what? They will vaccinate.

  2. She actually wrote that this was her opinion and suggested that everyone should speak with their doctors.
    She was trying to do the community a service. Your lovely response aside.

  3. “5 Towns Coucil” poster – did you read her concluding sentence?! She wrote: “Vaccinate, for yourself, for your loved ones, for the world.” So where do you come to your strange conclusion of the diametrical opposite?!

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