Dobbs tackles vaccine myths, encourages recall

Two-thirds of COVID patients on life support, such as ventilators, do not survive.

It was one of many messages Dr. Thomas Dobbs delivered to Starkville Rotary on Monday. The Mississippi health officer addressed the civic group via a virtual video connection.

Dobbs urged Rotarians to take all preventative measures to stop the spread of the virus and described the lack of resources resulting from a strained healthcare system.

“These people, once in the hospital, unless they die, they will stay there for several weeks,” Dobbs said. “This will continue to make it difficult to access health care resources. “

Hospitals are recording higher COVID-19 intensive care unit rates than ever before, he said. One-third of people who enter an intensive care unit because of the virus will not exit.

Dobbs said the vast majority of hospitalized cases are unvaccinated people.

“If all of the unvaccinated people in the hospital had been vaccinated, we would really be facing a tenth or less of the number of cases we are currently seeing in our health care system,” he said.

While the initial COVID-19 strain impacted older people, the Delta variant is becoming predominant in young people, especially children who are not eligible to receive the vaccine at this time – only 12-year-olds. and more can receive the vaccine. Six Mississippi children died from COVID-19, including two teenagers, this month.

Dobbs said the vaccine is the best way to stop someone from contracting the virus. Anti-vaccinators have “poisoned the conversation,” he said, and fueled public misinformation about the vaccine, like it modifies DNA or places a microchip in bodies, which is not true. .

People who have previously had COVID-19 have moderate immunity, Dobbs said, but people who receive the vaccine after they have already contracted the virus have the most immunity.

“We know that if you’ve ever had COVID and then you get the vaccine, that’s the best protection to have,” Dobbs said.

Mississippi has started giving boosters, an extra dose of the COVID-19 vaccination, to people with weakened immune systems. Dobbs recommended that anyone with an autoimmune disease or people undergoing treatment, such as chemotherapy, take a booster.

Primary physicians can approve a recall if they believe an individual would benefit, Dobbs said. A total of 24,146 Mississippians received a third dose of the vaccine, according to the Mississippi State Department of Health website at 8 a.m. Monday.

“If you have a weakened immune system, you need to get a third dose of what you had,” Dobbs said. “If you had Pfizer, you have to get a third dose. If you had Moderna, you need to get a third dose. … If you have Johnson and Johnson, there is currently no indication, but we believe (the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) will say get a second dose of Johnson & Johnson, although some people have been given a dose of Pfizer for a second dose.

Dobbs discussed a new form of vaccine on the horizon – Novavax. This protein-based vaccine uses traditional technology by injecting viral proteins into an individual to boost their immunity. Other vaccines, mRNAs, insert antibodies into the body’s cell to create immunity against the virus, which attacks the virus at the genetic level.

“They actually give you fortified protein, and that gives you immunity,” Dobbs said. “Looks like it’s working pretty well. “

Dobbs said he doesn’t see the Novavax getting approval in the near future, especially in time to check the Delta variant.

Dobbs also encouraged people to receive treatment with monoclonal antibodies if they contract the virus. This treatment gives people antibodies that will help fight infection and reduce symptoms.

Anyone is eligible for free treatment after testing positive for COVID-19. Dobbs said individuals can make an appointment at any of the 180 administered locations across the state by calling the state’s COVID-19 hotline at 877-978-6453 or by visiting the MSDH website.

“If you have COVID you have to get antibodies, even though you’ve been vaccinated because we know you’ll do better,” Dobbs said.