Plum Health Blog
Plum Health Physicians Strongly Recommend COVID 19 Vaccination for Children 5 to 11 Years of Age
Plum Health Physicians Strongly Recommend COVID 19 Vaccination for Children 5 to 11 Years of Age
Today, I got a great question from someone on LinkedIn about the coronavirus vaccination for children. Here’s what they asked:
Hey Paul, wondering if you can point me in the direction of a good resource to cut through all the noise about COVID vaccines for kids 5-11. Weighing the decision to get the shot for my 7 year old daughter now or to hold off for a bit until even more data exists on outcomes post clinical trials. I looked to see if you had anything posted but didn’t come across anything. Thanks in advance!
This is a great question.
The CDC recommends everyone 5 years and older get the COVID-19 vaccine. I attached a link which states that the Pfizer vaccine is good for children 5-11 years. This is a 2 dose series 21 days apart. Vaccination helps children from getting severely sick. Vaccination also helps kids participate in activities - like after school enrichment programs and team sports. Vaccination for children also protects family members, especially older family members or family members with conditions that compromise their immune system.
Before getting approval this vaccine moved through different clinical trials and is now FDA approved. In each phase, the vaccine was tested in a large group of people to test for safety and efficacy. The Phase 2 and 3 trial revealed that the Pfizer vaccine had a good safety profile and protection in children 5 to 11. The Phase 1, 2, and 3 trial had 4,500 children 6 months to 11 years. Among these children, reactions were mostly mild to moderate. The side effects of the vaccine could be pain, redness, and fatigue. There were no cases of myocarditis in these trials, and these cases of myocarditis have been extremely rare in the real world setting.
The composition of the COVID-19 vaccine is safe. The Pfizer vaccine contains messenger RNA which tells the cells to create an immune response to COVID-19. Children 5 through 11 do not get the Pfizer vaccine given to teens and adults. They receive an age-appropriate dose that is one-third the adult dose.
Here is a great link from the CDC which explains the vaccine. There is also a video that describes mRNA vaccine:
This is a good publication that briefly describes the work that was done to develop the vaccine:
https://publications.aap.org/aapnews/news/17751?autologincheck=redirected
Where can you get coronavirus testing and vaccines in Detroit?
At Plum Health DPC, we have been vaccinating adults and children as soon as the appropriate vaccine doses became available for us. We’ve also been testing our patients for COVID to help them travel and stay healthy if they’ve experienced a recent exposure or symptoms concerning for COVID. Our office is in Corktown, Detroit at Michigan and Trumbull. You can get services or more information by calling 313.444.5630.
Thanks for reading,
-Dr. Paul Thomas with Plum Health DPC
Coronavirus Vaccines in Pregnancy
The Coronavirus Vaccines are Safe and Effective in Pregnancy
First, I want to say that the coronavirus vaccines are safe and effective in pregnancy. There’s a great research article from the New England Journal of Medicine followed over 35,000 pregnant women and revealed the following, “Preliminary findings did not show obvious safety signals among pregnant persons who received mRNA Covid-19 vaccines.”
In this video, I talk with a mom who was in the process of deciding whether or not to get the coronavirus vaccine, but ultimately decided to get vaccinated. We talk about the pros and cons of the vaccine, the difference between the Johnson and Johnson Vaccine and the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, the risk of getting a fever during pregnancy after getting the coronavirus vaccine, and many other topics.
The Vaccine Confers Immunity to Your Growing Baby
If you’re a pregnant mother and you receive the coronavirus vaccine, your body will produce antibodies and those antibodies will go from your body, to your placenta, to the baby’s body and protect the baby from Coronavirus. You will also share antibodies with your baby after birth via breast milk.
From the Harvard Gazette:
In the largest study of its kind to date, researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard have found the new mRNA COVID-19 vaccines to be highly effective in producing antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 virus in pregnant and lactating women. The study also demonstrated the vaccines confer protective immunity to newborns through breast milk and the placenta.
Coronavirus Vaccine and Fever in Pregnancy
Getting the coronavirus vaccine during pregnancy may cause a fever, however, this is not very likely and the fever after vaccination is of short duration and unlikely to cause any damage to the growing baby or fetus. From Harvard Health:
One possible side effect of the COVID-19 vaccines is fever a day or two after vaccination. This occurred in about
1% to 3% of people after the first dose of mRNA vaccine
15% to 17% after the second dose of mRNA vaccine
9% after the Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine.
These fevers are generally low and can be managed with acetaminophen, which is safe to take during pregnancy. Rarely, high, prolonged fevers in pregnancy may lead to birth defects.
Thanks for reading and have a great day,
-Dr. Paul Thomas with Plum Health DPC
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