To Pamela Cruz. Peninsula 360 Press
After the Latino community is one of the most affected in the U.S. by COVID-19, it is extremely important that there is no room for speculation and that the vaccine against the virus that produces it is chosen, because only in this way can the disease be controlled and the deaths that are registered today be stopped.
This was pointed out by the director of the Latino Center of Excellence, Dr. Alicia Fernandez, who highlighted that the COVID-19 vaccine is very safe, reaching up to 95 percent effectiveness against the virus, and very few people have serious allergic reactions to such immunization.
"COVID-19 vaccine, no Covid, not possible. It contains only a small piece of the instructions, and these never mix with the part of the cell that has the human instructions. You can't bring in genetic material and mix it with human genetic material," he said.
During a Facebook briefing held today by the Mexican Consulate in San Francisco, the also medical professor said that vaccines, so far available, such as Pfizer and Moderna, "protect very well.
"In the case of the Pfizer vaccine, a study was done with 42,000 people, of which 21,000 were given the vaccine and the remaining were given a placebo, that is, a fake vaccine containing only water, among those who received the vaccine, there were eight cases of COVID-19, while those who received the placebo had 162 positive cases. That's 95 percent effectiveness -- these vaccines protect very well," he said.
Although, he detailed, there are short-term adverse effects from the vaccines, these are only: arm pain on the first application, while for the second dose there may be headache, fatigue, and only 10 percent have fever "... in no case did people have to be hospitalized and all symptoms disappeared by the third or fourth day.
In cases of severe allergic reaction, he reported that after 12 million people have been vaccinated, only 29 cases of such reactions have occurred, and they have been given medication.
"We know that the vaccine works well for people over 65, in both women and men, in everyone over 16, and for all races, including people with obesity, diabetes and HIV," she said.
On the other hand, he said, "the decision - to get the vaccine - is very particular, but I suggest you think of it this way: you have to compare the fears of the side effects of the vaccine to the risks of getting COVID-19.
However, he said, "many people who get COVID-19 have no symptoms, and there have been 400,000 deaths in the U.S. from SARS-CoV-2, so I recommend all my patients get the vaccine.
In that sense, he specified that so far there is no contraindication for the COVID-19 vaccine, only for those who have presented a severe allergic reaction in their first dose, it is recommended not to apply a second one.
The specialist added that, despite having been vaccinated, it is necessary to continue with safety measures to prevent the spread of the virus, such as the use of the mask, social distancing, constant hand washing and not going to crowded places.
Well, he stressed, "until there are enough people vaccinated, the level of virus that is circulating will drop, and then we will finally be able to take off all the masks. But if you are vaccinated you can, say, join your family, because you are protected.
Fernandez reminded the population that vaccines are free and accessible to everyone, regardless of their immigration status, however, vaccination protocols depend heavily on each state and county, so it is important to keep informed of every step taken by the location where one is living.
In some parts of the Bay Area vaccinations are already available for those 65 years and older, however they are only available to those who have health insurance or health care providers, so call those who have such services to find out how they can get immunized.
For those who don't count such services, he said, it is not yet known when the vaccines will be available, since priority has been given at this time to health workers, such as those working on long-term stays, and then priority will be given depending on age and occupation, with those working in essential industries being the first to receive their doses.
For its part, the Consul General of San Francisco, Remedios Gomez, reported that the Consulate of Mexico will remain alert to the various health authorities, to communicate in a timely manner to Mexicans living in the area, on how, when and where they can go to receive their vaccination in a timely manner.
