Milestones and a call for positive messaging
Last night another critical milestone in the battle against COVID-19 was reached. The FDA authorized a Coronavirus vaccine for emergency distribution in the United States. I have confidence that a careful evaluation of the Pfizer data was performed. These scientists were ready to approve this vaccine last night after going through their due process, regardless of the political elements in the wind. This safety analysis is applicable to individuals 16 and over and individuals that did not have a history of severe allergic reactions, and there is transparency around the statement of the limits of the analysis. There is still rigorous scientific work that needs to be done, and time and effort are being allocated to do this work and assessment which is being done as you read this.
There are multiple reasons that the COVID-19 vaccination is being administered first in clearly defined populations. Healthcare professionals and the elderly, at-risk individuals in extended-care facilities are at high risk of contracting COVID-19 and experiencing significant morbidity. Outbreaks in the associated environments are hard to contain. And finally, healthcare workers are a limited resource and are vital in the battle against COVID-19. As a result, the risk-benefit ratio is overwhelmingly in favor of most of these individuals getting the vaccine. As these individuals receive the vaccines, more data on side effects and susceptibility to these side effects will be obtained. This is a fairly universal process in the roll-out of therapeutics. Ongoing risk/benefit analysis is a standard part of the scientific process. Medicine is a practice. We don't know everything all of the time. We never have. We learn every day when we do things right.
So:
Feel the hope. Our scientific, administrative, and population health systems are beginning to work effectively, together. International systems of trust are being re-established and will be critical to pool collective knowledge and resources for optimal outcomes.
Allow the processes they have been developed over decades for evaluating data and defining protocols to play out. Yes, these processes can and should be modified for the acuity and severity of the current situation, but this adaptation should not be rash.
Be patient and build endurance. Wear a mask, social distance, and wash your hands. Await your turn to receive the vaccine with goodwill to those that are receiving it. This Is an endurance play. Don’t get the virus, and don’t spread the virus. Everything you can do until widespread vaccination has occurred can save lives and avoid morbidity.
Be a part of the process for positive messaging. Reach out to those that are scared and find all of this just too complicated to understand. There are many that seem beyond our reach, but there are others that are waiting and want and need to be reached. The art will be understanding the differences and moving forward for the good of all.
Kimberly Gandy, M.D., Ph.D., is a Northwestern/Stanford/Duke trained physician-scientist with over 25 years of experience at the intersection of science, medicine, and technology.