Plum Health Blog
Coronavirus Vaccine Update for March 23rd 2021
Coronavirus status for march 25th 2021
I'm upset about this most recent spike in Coronavirus cases here in Michigan and Detroit/Southeast Michigan.
Yesterday, the State of Michigan reported 4,454 new cases, and sadly we are nearing 16,000 deaths from COVID.
We can do better. We all need to get vaccinated to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our community. So far:
- 25.12% of Michiganders have received a single dose
- 14.31% of Michiganders have received both doses
That's great, but it will take 60 to 70% of us getting vaccinated to reach herd immunity.
I know that a lot of you are hesitant to get the vaccine, that's why I created this video and I answer as many questions as I possibly can to address these concerns. And, I'm happy to answer any other questions you have in the comments below.
Please - get the shot. You hold the power to save a life (or multiple lives) by getting vaccinated.
Coronavirus update march 2021
This is a presentation by Dr. Paul Thomas of Plum Health DPC in Detroit Michigan regarding Coronavirus, COVID 19, Coronavirus Vaccines, and frequently asked questions about COVD 19.
Topics:
Rising cases in Michigan, potentially due to lessening of restrictions
Age groups that are at the highest risk for Coronavirus
Comorbidities and Coronavirus, and why these pre-existing conditions lead to a higher risk of dying from Coronavirus
Hospitalizations and deaths related to coronavirus in the context of coronavirus and underlying medical conditions
How the mRNA vaccines work to create the Coronavirus Spike Protein
The difference between Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson Vaccines
What is the Adenovirus Vaccine Vector for the Johnson and Johnson Vaccine
Addressing a myth: the vaccine will alter my DNA - this is not true, the mRNA vaccine does not alter your DNA
Why the mRNA is easier and safer to produce and why it’s safer for patients
When will you get your vaccine? ie When will the coronavirus vaccine be available to me? (12:00)
Comparing and contrasting the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson Vaccines
all of the vaccines are 100% effective in preventing hospitalization and death
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is a 1 shot vaccine, so it may be better for specific populations
Comparing Polio to Coronavirus and Elvis Presley to Dolly Parton
How many vaccine doses have been given?
Is the Coronavirus Vaccine safe? (22:00)
If I’ve already had Covid, should I still get the Coronavirus Vaccine?
Should I get vaccinated with the coronavirus vaccine if I’m currently sick with Coronavirus?
Should I get vaccinated with the coronavirus vaccine if I’m currently pregnant or breastfeeding?
Vaccine efficacy against the South Africa and United Kingdom variants?
When will the Johnson and Johnson Vaccine be available?
What is Coronavirus Antibody testing (34:00)
What about myocarditis in college athletes who’ve had coronavirus?
Will there be a booster shot for Coronavirus vaccines?
What vitamins should you take to help ward off Coronavirus?
How common is Anaphylaxis after you get the Coronavirus Vaccine?
Can getting the Coronavirus cause problems with your immune system?
Thanks for reading and watching and have a wonderful day,
-Dr. Paul Thomas with Plum Health DPC
Coronavirus Update for March 2021 - Understanding the Vaccines
There are a ton of questions about the Coronavirus and what's going on with the virus and the vaccines in the City of Detroit and in Michigan, so I try to answer as many of those questions as I can in this video.
Low Rate of Pediatric Flu Deaths This Year
Did you know that there's only been 1 pediatric flu death this entire flu season? That's down from 150 to 200 pediatric flu deaths annually and it is likely attributed to mask wearing, physical distancing, and children being out of school.
Number of Coronavirus Cases in Michigan are on the Decline
In the State of Michigan, there have only been 1,400 new cases each day on average over the last 7 days, which is tremendous improvement from 9,000 cases each day in late November and early December 2020.
Coronavirus Death Toll in Michigan Hits a Grim Milestone
That being said, 15,610 Michigan residents have died from the coronavirus. To put that into perspective, there are 15,570 residents in Traverse City and 15,498 residents in Grosse Pointe Woods. To say that the coronavirus death toll is staggering is an understatement.
Coronavirus Vaccine Distribution in the State of Michigan
Fortunately, the vaccine doses are being distributed efficiently here in the State of Michigan and in the City of Detroit. 2.48 million vaccines have been given state-wide, and 8.92% of Michigan residents or 891,000 people have received 2 doses. Michigan ranks 9th in number of vaccines distributed nationally, and that's great.
How Does the mRNA Vaccine Work?
Next up, the Pfizer and Moderna Coronavirus Vaccine are made by injecting mRNA into your body, and that mRNA makes a spike protein which elicits an immune response from your body. People often think that the mRNA vaccine changes your DNA, but it doesn't.
Who is Eligible for the Coronavirus Vaccine in the City of Detroit?
Many more people are eligible for getting the coronavirus vaccine as time goes on. In Detroit, if your 50 or older with a pre-existing condition, you're eligible. If you're a food service worker, you're eligible. If you're a member of the clergy, a factory worker, a janitor, or a teacher, you're eligible.
You can see full details on who is eligible by going to this link or call 313-230-0505 Monday-Friday from 9 am until 6 pm to schedule an appointment.
The Johnson and Johnson Vaccine
The Johnson and Johnson vaccine is now available - it only requires one dose and it's a adenovirus vaccine, which means the vaccine is packaged in a virus vector. The J&J vaccine is 85% effective agains severe disease and 100% effective against hospitalization, and you only need one shot. If you're offered any of the available vaccines, get the shot, protect yourself, and protect your loved ones.
Stay safe and healthy,
- Dr. Paul Thomas with Plum Health DPC in Detroit, MI
Oakland County Vaccine Rollout Update
COVID-19 vaccine update in Oakland County: Save Your Spot Sign-up Available until Vaccine Supply Increases
Pontiac, Michigan – Oakland County Health Division (OCHD) is asking residents to remain patient during this time because of the overwhelming demand for the COVID-19 vaccine. The Health Division has received 7,800 doses, administered about 5,600 vaccines, and scheduled an estimated 17,000-plus first- and second-dose appointments through the end of February. Minimal vaccine supply, however, limits our ability to schedule appointments for the hundreds of thousands of eligible workers and Oakland County residents who are still waiting to be vaccinated. Use the newly launched Save Your Spot link on our website oaklandcountyvaccine.com to help us identify individuals who are eligible and interested in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. For anyone unable to complete the form, call our upgraded health hotline at 800-848-5533.
"We are asking the community to help us plan for administering future doses of vaccine we receive by completing this new form," said County Executive David Coulter. "This will help us reach residents and workers who are eligible for vaccination when more doses become available. As we receive more vaccine, we will continue to administer them quickly and efficiently until everyone has the opportunity to receive the vaccine."
The Health Division is currently vaccinating individuals in phases 1A and 1B of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) COVID-19 vaccination plan who work or live in Oakland County.
The Health Division is following MDHHS and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations for prioritizing distribution of COVID-19 vaccines to individuals. According to MDHHS, those now eligible to receive the vaccine include:
Healthcare workers
Residents 65 years and older
Frontline essential workers including police officers, first responders, frontline state and federal workers, jail, and prison staff; and preK-12 teachers and childcare providers (Phase 1B)
In addition to frontline essential workers, there are over 217,000 residents age 65 and older eligible to receive the vaccine in Oakland County. To receive updates on COVID-19 vaccine availability, register your email address at oaklandcountyvaccine.com or text OAKGOV COVID to 468311. The Health Division phone lines are very busy and sometimes Nurse on Call receives over 20,000 calls per day. Oakland County appreciates the public's patience. Nurse on Call is available at 800-848-5533 to answer health-related questions, make COVID-19 testing appointments, and assist those unable to complete the 'Save Your Spot' link.
Currently the COVID-19 vaccine is available through local health departments and local health systems. Residents are encouraged to check their health providers online medical chart or portal as all local health systems are going to start making appointments for their patients once they vaccinate their medical personnel.
Vaccine information can be found at:
Oakland County: https://oaklandcountyvaccine.com/
MDHHS: Michigan.gov/COVIDVaccine
CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html
More information about COVID-19 can be found on the Health Division's website at www.oakgov.com/covid. For up-to-date public health information, follow @publichealthOC on Facebook and Twitter.
City of Detroit Vaccine Rollout Update
The vaccine rollout here in Michigan has been relatively slow compared to other states. The Washington Post has a great article tracking vaccinations. Here’s where Michigan stands in the COVID vaccine effort:
At least 222,379 first doses have been administered (total population is 9.987 million)
covering 5.2% of the prioritized population...
and 2.2% of the state’s population.
Michigan has been allocated 696,600 doses,
enough to vaccinate 16.0% of the prioritized population...
and 7.0% of the state’s population.
On Monday, we received a press release from the City of Detroit about the Coronavirus Vaccine out of the TCF Center. Here it is, in full:
Statement from Detroit COO Hakim Berry on TCF COVID Vaccine Scheduling process
Since 9am this morning our COVID vaccine scheduling call center staffed by Rock Connections has experienced extremely high volumes, receiving more than 100,000 calls. Those who predicted that Detroiters would not be interested in receiving the vaccine were clearly incorrect.
Rock Connections has already increased its call center staff from 42 to 56 representatives booking the appointments. Call Center hours have now been increased by two hours a day and will operate 9 AM and 8 PM.
Our system is set up so that calls will not be kept on hold if there is more than a half-hour wait to speak to a representative. If your call is dropped, please call later today or anytime this week. At any point the wait time is under 30 minutes, your call will go through.
A major cause of call volumes is a large number calls from individuals who are not eligible. We do not have the capacity to answer questions from people under 75 or non-Detroiters about vaccinations in general. If you are not eligible to book the vaccine, please do not tie up the call lines.
As a reminder, people should call 313-230-0505 to schedule an appointment only if they meet the following qualifications:
A Detroit resident 75 and older
Any “good neighbor" 65 and older who drives a 75 year old (or older) Detroit resident to TCF
The following Group B essential workers: K-12 teachers and support staff and child care workers
We are booking 20,000 appointments through February 5th. The call center has the ability to book up to 4,000 appointments per day, so we expect to be booking appointments at least through the end of the day Friday. We will add to those appointments as fast as the federal government provides vaccines.
We thank Detroiters for their patience in this process and, most of all, for their commitment to being vaccinated so life can get back to normal as soon as possible.
This is somewhat frustrating, because the listed qualifications above are narrower than what was previously released. The previous statements from the State of Michigan include more people in the Phase IB, but the City of Detroit must be focusing on Group A only at this time, which includes only seniors over the age of 75:
Group A:
Persons 75 years of age or older not covered in Phase 1A.
This includes those in a congregate setting that were not reached in Phase 1A.
Henry Ford Health System Vaccine RollOut
Henry Ford Health System is also rolling out the vaccine here in Detroit, so if you have a MyChart account with Henry Ford, you could potentially receive an email from Henry Ford Health System (HFHS) about this vaccine option. See below for full details - this information was sent out to HFHS staff on January 8th.
What’s interesting to note is that Henry Ford is following the State of Michigan guidelines for eligibility, including “anyone 65 years and older and a broader category of essential workers.”
We have made considerable progress vaccinating our team members, having administered first doses to nearly 17,000 employees, with second doses underway for those vaccinated during our first days of the campaign. We are now expanding eligibility to volunteers, Henry Ford retirees 65 years and older, and approximately 3,000 students from our clinical education community. Additionally, we are partnering with multiple leaders across our region in a collaborative effort to vaccinate private practice physicians and other healthcare workers.
As you likely know, the state of Michigan has also expanded guidelines for eligibility to include anyone 65 years and older and a broader category of essential workers. Based on that guidance, we are finalizing our plans to begin vaccinating patients and members that meet those guidelines beginning next week.
Sites: We plan to launch two types of sites over time – those that will operate from our existing primary care clinics and others designed to serve as “mass vaccination sites” to accommodate larger numbers of patients safely, provide greater access and parking, and operate without disruption to our normal clinical activities. Here’s a breakdown by market:
South - The K-building at Henry Ford Hospital will open Monday, Jan. 11, with Henry Ford Medical Center – Ford Road expected to open by the end of next week
North - Three sites are expected to open by the end of next week: Henry Ford Medical Centers Lakeside and Columbus and the HAP Troy administrative building
Central - Two sites are expected to open next week: One Jackson Square as early as Monday, Jan. 11, followed by Henry Ford Allegiance Specialty Hospital, the current site for drive-through testing
Staffing: We know staffing continues to be a challenge but we have identified a number of viable options including our own primary care team members to staff the medical center locations. Additionally, HR plans to activate our central staffing model early next week to help identify needs, as well as team members who may be able to redeploy.
Scheduling & Patient Engagement: Initially, we will need to prioritize existing Henry Ford patients 65 years and older and plan to contact them proactively via email, providing resources to help them make an informed decision and encouraging them to sign up for MyChart if they haven’t already, for online scheduling when appointments become available.
We know that much of this is new territory and we will need to be agile as things change. A complex, community-wide vaccination campaign of this size and uniqueness requires unprecedented partnership, innovation and determination. We can’t imagine pulling this off with any other team and we are so proud of your efforts in service to our communities and each other.
Thanks for reading, and best of luck navigating these vaccine resources.
-Dr. Paul Thomas with Plum Health DPC
Frustrations Around Vaccine Rollout are Palpable
As we learn more about Coronavirus Vaccine availability, we'll keep you updated.
Vaccine Options for Oakland County Residents
For residents of Oakland County, there are some options, but they are not robust at this time.
One option would be the Oakland County Health Department. It looks like they are not yet vaccinating https://oaklandcountyvaccine.com/eligibility/
You could periodically check this website to see when they are opening up mass vaccinations.
The other option would be Beaumont Health. However, their website crashed on Friday from people trying to make appointments.
You could try to create an account via the MyBeaumont Chart, here: https://www.beaumont.org/my-beaumont-chart and hope that they send an email to you.
Some of our patients have received an email invitation via the Beaumont MyChart system to get the vaccine. They are trying to give it to people over 75 and then over 65 years of age.
Henry Ford Hospital is doing something similar. Here’s some information from the Detroit Free Press:
Don't call us. We'll call you.
That's what the state's COVID-19 vaccine website and many local health departments are telling seniors, teachers, child care workers and law enforcement officers who will be eligible starting Monday for coronavirus vaccines through an expansion of the statewide immunization program.
In part, that's because local health officials had almost no heads up before Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced anyone 65 or older would soon be eligible to be vaccinated.
Whitmer announced Wednesday that starting next week, people in Priority 1B group will be able to get COVID-19 vaccines along with health care workers, people living and working in long-term care facilities and emergency medical responders who are part of the 1A Priority group.
In short, a lot of people are feeling frustrated and confused about the vaccine roll out - you're not alone in this.
As we know more information, we will share it with you.
As an addendum, in yesterday’s blog we talked about the Vaccine Rollout at the TCF Center in Detroit. Some of our patients have been calling the number since 9 am and it has been continually busy. If you get through, please send me an email or drop a comment on the bottom of this post.
- Dr. Paul Thomas with Plum Health DPC
Getting the Coronavirus Vaccine in Detroit and Southeast Michigan
Getting the coronavirus vaccine in Detroit and Southeast Michigan will be challenging as this is a new experience for our country in recent history - we haven’t seen mass vaccination efforts like this since perhaps the Polio vaccinations of the 1950’s.
I am writing this blog post to get as much information out to our communities as quickly as possible, and to help educate folks around vaccine options.
The state of Michigan just published a Vaccine Prioritization Guidance and you can find that PDF by clicking here. I will summarize the key points from the document here.
The state of Michigan just published a Vaccine Prioritization Guidance and you can find that PDF by clicking here. Everyone in Phase 1A should have gotten their first dose of vaccine already, these include Health Care Workers and Residents of Long-term Care Facilities and Staff, like nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
Now the State of Michigan is entering Phase 1B and rolling out the vaccine to a broader audience - those 75 years of age and older, Frontline Workers, School and Child Care Staff, and Corrections Facility Staff.
Everyone in Phase 1A should have gotten their first dose of vaccine already, these include Health Care Workers and Residents of Long-term Care Facilities and Staff, like nursing homes and assisted living facilities. If you are in Phase 1A and you haven’t gotten the vaccine, there are a few options that I explored in a previous blog post.
Who is in Phase 1B for Vaccination in Michigan?
Now the State of Michigan is entering Phase 1B and rolling out the vaccine to a broader audience - those 75 years of age and older, Frontline Workers, School and Child Care Staff, and Corrections Facility Staff. If you read the Vaccine rollout document closely, you’ll see the following info about who is in Phase 1B.
PHASE 1B:
Persons 75 years of age or older and frontline essential workers in critical infrastructure.
Group A:
Persons 75 years of age or older not covered in Phase 1A.
This includes those in a congregate setting that were not reached in Phase 1A.
Group B:
Prioritized frontline workers whose work role has frequent or intense exposure, and, due to the nature of the work, are not able to maintain social distance.
For example, a first responder may have to physically touch other people in their response, and a child care provider cannot maintain social distance from children when caring for their physical needs.
The specific prioritized categories are:
Pre-Kindergarten through high school teachers, support staff and child care workers who usually have direct contact with children
First responders not covered in Phase 1A (e.g., firefighters, police, conservation officers, inspectors)
Corrections workers (e,g,, staff in prisons, jails, juvenile justice facilities)
Workers in homeless shelters, congregate child care institutions, and adult and child protective services
Group C: Other frontline essential workers in sectors essential to the functioning of society and at substantially higher risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 because their work related duties must be performed on site and involve being in close proximity (i.e., within 6 feet) to the public or to coworkers.
Frontline essential workers in critical infrastructures include by ACIP are:
Food and agriculture workers
Critical manufacturing workers
Public transit workers
Grocery store workers
U.S. Postal Service workers
Workers with unique skill sets not covered above, such as non-hospital laboratories and mortuary services
If further sub-prioritization is needed of frontline essential workers due to limited vaccine supply, local health departments may consider prioritizing workers in locations of their jurisdiction where high rates of transmission and/or outbreaks have occurred and/or workers who are at increased risk for severe illness based on age or underlying medical conditions.
The Logistics of How to Get Vaccinated in the City of Detroit if You’re in PHase 1b
The City of Detroit Health Department will be administering the vaccines. The vaccines will be administered drive through style at the TCF center. On Thursday the city began giving on-site vaccines at Senior Care Home, critical care workers and homeless shelters. Friday they started vaccinating city essential (police, fire, EMS, and DDOT). Staring Monday the remainder of those eligible in Phase 1B are able to register on a first come, first serve basis to get vaccinated. This includes essential frontline workers. The call center is open Monday through Friday from 9am-6pm. Call 313.230.0505 be prepared to schedule two vaccine dates (two shots are required two weeks apart).
How to Schedule an Appointment
Starting Monday, Detroit residents age 75 and older and their “good neighbor” drivers 65 and over, will be able to call 313-230-0505 starting Monday to schedule an appointment at the TCF center. The first appointments will take place on Wednesday.
Detailed information on the TCF testing site is available at detroitmi.gov/covidvaccine. As additional independent vaccination sites at pharmacies and elsewhere come online in the city, a map of locations will be added to the website.
Driving directions to the TCF Center to get the vaccine.
It looks like you will enter the TCF Center’s surrounding area via West Jefferson, turning onto Steve Yzerman Drive near the old Joe Louis Arena site.
Thanks for reading and please share with a neighbor who may not have internet access or a car to get to the vaccine site. You could be that good neighbor that helps prevent the spread of Coronavirus by helping a neighbor get vaccinated.
-Dr. Paul Thomas with Plum Health DPC in Detroit MI
Coronavirus Update with Daily Detroit and Dr. Paul Thomas
This week, we had a great conversation with Jeremiah Staes of Daily Detroit about where we stand in terms of the Coronavirus, the number of infections, the number of deaths, and the status of the vaccine.
Will There Be Another Spike in Cases After the Holiday Season?
There were 8 million travelers who flew during the holiday season. It’s possible that we may see a large spike in new cases after the holiday break as more people visit friends and family out of state, contract the virus, and bring it back to Michigan. We may see a lag in this spike as people tend to be busier around the holiday season and this can cause people not to want to visit the doctor’s office to get tested during this time. So, we shall see what happens.
Can I Work Out at the Gym During the Coronavirus Pandemic?
Just because a place is open, it doesn’t mean that it’s a great place to hang out at. This definitely applies to gyms, as gyms are a great place to pick up the coronavirus. In the gym, people are touching multiple surfaces, breathing heavily, and coming into close contact. Just think of all of the surfaces inside a gym locker, or a treadmill, or an elliptical machine, or a rack of weights. It’s virtually impossible to wipe down every single surface after every use, so it’s best to exercise outside or at home.
We Discuss Equitable Vaccine Distribution
More vaccine doses have gone to
Fighting for Equitable Vaccine Access in Detroit
Vaccine Distribution Challenges in Detroit
This week, we’ve been frustrated by the way the Coronavirus vaccine has been distributed. Large hospital system primary care doctors, who mostly operate in suburban communities, have been able to get vaccinated. Meanwhile, independent primary care physicians, including our staff and other neighboring Detroit-based primary care doctors, have struggled to gain access to the vaccine at this time.
The issue is that, in our region especially, there is a corporate-based vaccine distribution. The majority of the vaccine has gone to large corporate health systems, and those doctors, nurses, and support staff who are employed by those larger health systems are more likely to get vaccinated.
This is a big frustration because this inequity in vaccine distribution will likely trickle down and affect our region negatively; suburban folks who live closer to larger health systems may have easier access tot he vaccine than those residents in urban underserved communities.
We recently talked to the news media about this issue, and we’re grateful to Ross Jones and Channel 7 Action News for picking up the story.
A National Perspective
On a National level, doctors have expressed frustration to National Public Radio (NPR) about inequality of vaccine distribution within the hospital. The article states that:
“At hospitals in Massachusetts, New York, Arizona, California and elsewhere, medical professionals say that those with the most exposure to COVID-19 patients are not always the first to get vaccinated. And others who have little or no contact with COVID-19 patients have received vaccinations.”
Possible Solutions
What could solve this issue? Perhaps we could have a national database for people to sign up, to ensure that no one is missed in vaccination and that no one receives too many doses or too few doses. Because vaccine recipients are given a plain card with the vaccine date and a follow up date, I could see the vaccine distribution becoming a problem for those with low health literacy, mental illness, or memory problems like Alzheimer’s disease.
Additionally, we could ensure that there is more equitable vaccine distribution among local health departments and hospital systems. For profit hospital systems will always act in a self-interested manner, vaccinating their employees and patients first. Health departments are more likely to reach out to the highest risk populations in the community and deliver the vaccine to nursing homes, assisted living facilities, vulnerable populations, and community-based primary care offices.
For example, my colleagues in other states and other counties have received phone calls and invitations for vaccines at their local health department. Other regions have hospital systems that act in a more equitable manner, inviting physicians and support staff and high risk populations from the community to get vaccinated at that hospital system.
Why Vaccine Distribution Matters
While I understand that this coronavirus pandemic is a once-in-one-hundred-years type of event, I will never stop advocating for health equity, especially at the community level. Vaccine distribution shouldn’t be based on which individual or corporation has the most money, but it should be based on risk factors and need. Equitable vaccine distribution matters, and we’ll keep pushing for that ideal.
Thanks for reading and watching,
-Dr. Paul Thomas at Plum Health DPC