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When it comes to the launch of a Covid-19 vaccine, the people of Ireland have many questions.
Professor Luke O’Neill thinks he has some of the answers.
The Trinity immunologist has a lot to say about the Pfizer vaccine and about the “ethical obligation” we have to take to stop the spread of a virus that has killed millions.
“We trust the regulators, and I trust them,” says the Wicklow native in an interview with the Irish Mirror.
“If they push continue, it means they’ve looked at everything very, very closely, and they’re saying it’s safe. And that’s what they’ve done with the Pfizer vaccine.”
But Professor O’Neill does not ask the public for blind faith; says “transparency” is hugely important to the whole process.
We’ve seen evidence of that openness, he says, in recent warnings issued after two NHS workers had allergic reactions to the vaccine this week.
“I see it as a good thing, in general, because it just shows you how transparent everything is. They are watching it very closely and are releasing the information to the public. Because it is important for the public to stay aware of this.”
We asked Professor O’Neill every burning question we could think of about the vaccine.
This is what he had to say:
How safe is the vaccine?
There are many unanswered questions when it comes to the efficacy of the vaccine in large groups of people, but the bottom line, for O’Neill, is that any vaccine that hits the Irish market will only arrive when it is deemed completely safe.
He quotes June Raine, UK vaccine expert in charge of the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, who says that Pfizer’s current vaccine is “very safe.”
“Once they say that, we have to depend on them. They are very trustworthy people.”
Where can you get the vaccine?
The vaccine could be administered in GP surgeries as well as healthcare facilities, O’Neill says, although we don’t yet know exactly how the government plans to implement it.
“It could be a combination of GPs, plus health care centers. And in a health care center, it could be a nurse, they are called vaccinators, who will distribute it.”
How is the process to get it?
When you enter your coronavirus injection, you will receive the injection from a qualified healthcare professional.
Then, you will be asked to wait about 15 minutes before you can go on your way, so the doctors who administer the vaccine can be 100% sure that you are not having an adverse reaction.
It’s the same process as the flu shot, and it’s just about “watching,” says Professor O’Neill.
It hurt?
The actual process of receiving the vaccine, a scenario that leaves many apprehensive, will not be painful, O’Neill says. “The needle is so fine that you won’t even know it has entered.
But soon your arm is likely to hurt, as your immune system kicks in as a result of the injection. This can last for a few hours before disappearing. Again, says O’Neill, “that’s a good thing, because it means it’s working.
About 80% will have a slight pain in the arm.
How will you feel after receiving the vaccine?
The idea that we will feel bad after receiving a vaccine designed to protect us is a bit scary. But it’s all part of the process, according to experts.
Professor O’Neill says that you may feel fluid after receiving the vaccine, with symptoms including headaches and tiredness.
But this, he adds, is a good thing: “It means that your immune system is working.”
How does the coronavirus vaccine compare to other vaccines?
The Covid-19 jab is blunt, as the vaccines will “kick your immune system pretty strong,” O’Neill says.
But it is precisely that process that immunizes you against the virus, so if you are not feeling well, you should not panic.
Will there be initial problems with the launch?
Even though the vaccine is safe, some problems are likely to emerge as it is rolled out around the world, O’Neill says. This is quite normal in any vaccine launch, Covid-19 or otherwise, and is not something that should be a major concern.
At the same time, he says, “the idea that this vaccine is there all of a sudden and now we are out of the woods is not true.
“It’s a new vaccine, we have to monitor people very closely. And they are being very, very particular, for good reason.”
Will I have to go back for a second shot? If so, how will that affect me?
One important thing to note about the Pfizer vaccine, the first one we will see in Ireland, is that it is a two-shot vaccine.
This means that you will need to get a “booster” injection again 21 days after receiving the first vaccination.
(Image: medpagetoday)
This one is likely to hit you harder than the first one, says Professor O’Neill. This means that most fluid symptoms will kick in after your booster dose, a natural and positive reaction to the vaccine.
Should I be concerned about my allergies when receiving the vaccine?
Yes and no, is the answer to this question. Many of us were shocked earlier this week when news emerged of two NHS workers having allergic reactions to the Pfizer vaccine.
For Professor O’Neill, the incident served as a reminder of how important it is to monitor the effects of the vaccine as it is rolled out, something called “pharmacovigilance.”
The reason allergies can affect your response to a vaccine is that allergy sufferers have a more active immune system than the rest of us. This means that an injection in the arm can cause the immune system to “overreact.”
When you order your vaccination, they will likely ask you about your vaccination history.
“It’s not that unusual to see a small number being allergic to vaccines,” O’Neill says. “We have seen this in the past, so there is nothing unexpected.”
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