By Karen Kier
Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team
In March of 1966, Petula Clark released the Sign of the Times on her My Love album. The song was written by Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent, who wrote several songs for Clark. The song was previewed for the American public on The Ed Sullivan Show on February 27, 1966. The song peaked at 11 on the Billboard Top 100. The title would indicate a political statement, but in reality, it was a love song.
Petula was born Sally Clark in England to parents who were both nurses. Her father invented her stage name of Petula and she was sometimes referred to as “the First Lady of the British Invasion.” Petula lives in Geneva, Switzerland and is still performing at the age of 90.
Why the discussion on the sign of the times?
The National Foundation for Infectious Disease (NFID) sent a survey out to the American public to evaluate their knowledge and level of concern relating to the current circulating viruses. The NFID survey is not unique to 2023, but this year’s survey results have medical and public health advocates concerned.
Based on the 2023 results, only 22% of U.S. adults are concerned about getting influenza (flu). Despite the 65% who believe the annual vaccine is the best protection against the flu, only 57% plan to get the vaccine this year. Of the respondents, 32% are concerned with side effects, while 31% do not trust the vaccine. Twenty-seven percent do not think the vaccine works very well and the same percentage think they can get sick from the vaccine.
Even though the first flu vaccines were approved in 1945, there appears to be some reluctance to believe they work. Some years the flu vaccine is more effective than others, but it provides protection. Health professionals follow the data from the southern hemisphere flu season to get an indication of how effective the vaccine will be in the U.S. The data from the southern hemisphere is extremely positive for the 2023-2024 flu vaccine selection.
The flu vaccine in the injectable form is not a live virus vaccine. The virus is inactivated or killed leaving the virus antigen to protect from the flu. Therefore, the inactivated flu vaccine shots can not cause the flu. As a healthcare professional, I find it very hard to dissuade someone from this misinformation when that is their reason to avoid the vaccine.
Now is a good time to get the flu vaccine, because it takes 2 weeks to get the maximal benefit from the shot. It is important to get the vaccine before the flu spreads through a community.
Similarly, the NFID survey showed only 23% of Americans are very concerned about themselves or a family member getting COVID-19. Thirteen percent do not believe COVID-19 is a serious illness. With the lack of concern, only 40% of the respondents are planning to get the updated monovalent Omicron COVID-19 booster shot. Within the survey, 34% do not trust the vaccine and 28% do not think the vaccines work.
Between January and July 2023, the majority of those hospitalized with a COVID-19 infection were either over the age of 65 years or had at least one underlying risk factor or condition. The reality is 70% of U.S. adults have at least one risk factor for more severe COVID-19 illness. This would suggest those with risk factors either do not realize it or are not concerned about the illness.
The current monovalent COVID-19 booster shots have been studied in both animals and humans prior to its release for those 6 months and older. Over 1500 patients were included in the most recent studies. One month after the monovalent booster, 72% of the participants had not been infected by SARS-CoV-2. The side effects were similar to the original vaccines including pain at the injection site, tiredness, headache, chills, muscle pain, and joint pain. The side effects last approximately 24 hours for most individuals.
The flu and COVID-19 vaccines can be given at the same time in either both arms or both shots in one arm depending on the person’s preference. However, the NFID survey found 56% of the respondents are concerned about side effects when both are given together. Thirty-eight percent would get both vaccines if offered.
The data for RSV are even lower than the flu or COVID-19. Only 19% had any concern of getting a RSV infection for themselves or a loved one. Of the higher risk age group of 60 years and older, only 40% plan to get the RSV vaccine. The major concerns continue to be side effects and not trusting the vaccine. The RSV vaccine should be separated from the other vaccines by at least 2 weeks. Consult a healthcare professional.
Is it a sign of the times that we do not perceive the seriousness of these infections?
ONU HealthWise is offering the flu vaccine Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The pharmacy has ordered doses of the Moderna and Pfizer monovalent vaccines. Please call the pharmacy for availability. The pharmacy will be opening at 9 a.m. and closing at 6 p.m., but will close from 1 to 2 p.m.for the required break. Vaccine clinics occur Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Please call for more information.
ONU HealthWise Pharmacy
419-772-3784
