Doctor lauds new vaccine
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LEWISTOWN -- The benefits of getting vaccinated for COVID-19 far outweigh the risks, said Dr. Andrea Knab, MD for Geisinger, who received the Pfizer vaccine last week.
Knab is an internal medical doctor for Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital and is one of the primary doctors who has been seeing COVID patients since the virus emerged locally.
She asks the public to be safe and continue social distancing and mask wearing for just a little bit longer -- a vaccine is on the way for the general public.
She got the vaccine on Dec. 16 to protect both herself and her patients. She has experienced minimal side effects from the vaccine and assures the public that it is safe and that data supports its safety and efficacy.
"Having side effects from a vaccine is not comparable to what the disease can do to you," she said. "Me and my colleagues were all very blessed to get the vaccine."
Knab experienced some mild muscle soreness as a result of getting the vaccine, which went away quickly, but says it was worth it.
"It was remarkable. I think usually when I have the vaccine for influenza, I feel it for a day or two. I never developed any swelling, redness or fever," she said.
She will have to follow up with a second dose, 21 days after the first one, on Jan. 6.
It is still not known whether vaccinated individuals will have to follow up with a booster, she said.
She expects there to be a greater reaction with the second vaccine, which she says is normal.
"I'll be worried if nothing happens because I want to make sure my immune system is working," she said. "But there shouldn't be any side effects that can't be treated with Tylenol.
"The only people who should be concerned about this vaccination are the people who have had an anaphylactic reaction to vaccinations," she said, adding that allergic reactions and side effects are treatable
"Getting COVID-19 infection is really terrifying even though we have some tools to treat it, it does not always work, allergic reactions we know how to manage," she said.
In the hospitals she works in, she said COVID patients account for 30 to 40 percent of admitted patients and eventually hospitals could reach capacity and will have to turn away patients, which makes it important to continue social distancing, hand washing and wearing masks until a vaccine is available for the general public.
"The holiday season is here and I know everyone wants to gather and see loved ones. We need to wait just a little bit longer … give us a few more months and don't endanger anybody over (the holidays)," she said.
Knab said that while her family is accustomed to celebrating Christmas together, "This year is not the right time. We have elderly family members and we don't want to take the risk. It's just not worth it."
She explained that most patients who spread the virus are asymptomatic.
"When they meet people, they appear healthy, so people have no concerns being around them and unfortunately get sick later, so make sure you're still wearing masks and don't gather if you don't have to."
She explained that COVID affects everyone a little differently and there is not yet one treatment that works for everyone.
"Unfortunately, I can't say that things have changed for the better. We can better treat patients, but it is still very individual. We have young patients that get very sick and we have patients who don't make it."
Despite frustration from the public, some of whom have lost family, income and businesses, she asks the public to "be just a little more patient."
"I just want to ask this one last time. Just wear your mask and wash your hands. We are getting there."