CLEVELAND — Let's start a brand new week with some answers for some of your COVID-19 questions:
Question: An infectious disease expert said we should consider just giving people one vaccine dose so we can get more people vaccinated. Is this a serious consideration right now?
Michael Osterholm is an epidemiologist who advised President Biden's transition team on COVID-19 and suggested the president should focus on giving as many first doses as possible and delay second doses because at least one dose gives some protection. He's not the first to suggest this.
The UK is delaying second doses as much as 12 weeks to get those in priority groups covered by mid February.
And while the CDC says we can now wait up to six weeks between doses, we'll have to wait and see if this is a viable plan.
You might get about fifty percent protection after one dose and there is very preliminary research indicating one dose might be effective for those who've already had COVID. But Dr. Anthony Fauci warns delaying the second dose might cause variants to spread faster.
I think watching what happens in the UK will give some insight on whether or not this would work. So no, at this time, it's not an approved protocol, but it doesn't mean they're not paying attention.
Question: How is it that some people are testing positive for coronavirus even after receiving the vaccine?
Yes, we're hearing of more cases of people who've received the vaccine, but then still test positive for COVID.
It's important to remember a few things: These vaccines were meant to prevent severe illness. Researchers still don't know if they have the ability to prevent overall infection and it's looking like they may not, based on a few cases. They also don't know if being vaccinated will prevent you from spreading it to others, which is why you still need a mask and distancing after you get the shot.
Vaccines don't work instantly, it takes a few weeks for the body to build up immunity after receiving a dose, and the current vaccines require two doses to reach full effectiveness.
If you were already infected when you got the vaccine, the infection can continue to develop and then still show up in a positive test result.
These vaccines are good, but they're not 100 percent and with the rapid spread of infection and now the more contagious variants, it's not surprising at all that a few vaccinated people still got infected with the virus. The hope is that the vaccination will prevent them from getting sick and dying from it.
Question: You've been warning seniors about not getting fooled by scammers, any more tips?
First of all, make sure you remember specifically all the places you've registered, so you know who might be calling you to schedule your appointment.
If someone calls and says you have to pay for your vaccine, or pay to get an appointment, or asks you for credit card or banking information hang up.
You may be asked for your insurance, medicare or medicaid information because Vaccination providers can charge an administration fee for giving someone the shot, but that fee will be covered by your insurance. You will not be asked to pay.
The scammers will typically be calling you asking for your social security number and banking info. Hang up.
If you're not sure, tell them you'll bring all the necessary information with you to your vaccination appointment and deal with the doctor or pharmacist directly.
More COVID-19 vaccine coverage from Monica Robins:
- What you need to know about the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine
- From variants to vaccines: Answering more of your COVID-19 questions with 3News Senior Health Correspondent Monica Robins
- Can people undergoing cancer treatment get the COVID-19 vaccine? 3News' Monica Robins answers more of your questions
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