Last Updated: March 12
Below you will find the archive of questions posed to Dr. Stephen Bickel in his “Ask the Doctor” column, with his answers once you follow each link. Dr. Bickel’s Ask the Doctor column is regularly updated as your questions are submitted, regarding the coronavirus pandemic, vaccines and other, unrelated questions of medical concern.
Generally, the newer questions will be at the top of each group of questions.
You are invited to submit your questions using the form below, or by email, or in the comment section below.
Frequent Questions About the Covid-19 Vaccine:
Should I get the vaccine?
What benefit do I personally get from the vaccine?
What benefit does the community get from people like me getting vaccinated? And what’s the deal with “herd immunity” anyway?
Is this a vaccine that we have to get yearly?
What should we do now as a community regarding Covid and the vaccine?
Do all of the vaccines have aborted fetus tissue in them?
Some immediate safety measures you can take now.
How long before people with HIV can get vaccine?
Covid Vaccine Safety
https://flaglerlive.com/161627/ask-the-doctor-5/#
What do we know about the vaccines’ short-term safety?
What do we know about the vaccines’ long-term safety?
Are there contraindications to any of the vaccines?
Can a patient with a history of an allergic reaction receive the vaccine?
Should pregnant or breastfeeding individuals receive the vaccine?
Isn’t vaccination unnatural? Is it dangerous to our genes?
I am 81 years old. Norway reports that the vaccine recipients in my age group are dying. 29 to date. Should I wait until there is more data?
Covid Vaccine Effectiveness
Will the vaccines work against the emerging strains of SARS-CoV-2?
Do the vaccines prevent transmission of the virus to others?
Should patients who have recovered from Covid-19 receive the vaccine?
I’m 76, diagnosed with PBC and have had the first dose of Moderna vaccine thanks to the fine folks at Cattleman’s. Presuming I get the second dose and an antibody test shows strong antibodies, can I still get the virus? Or give it to my family who have not had the vaccine?
My husband and I are both over 65 and had the virus in September. We wondered if we are unknowingly exposed to the virus again, we can transmit the virus to others? Any thoughts on having a child age 16 vaccinated who works at an assisted living facility?
I recently learned about how using over-the-counter pain relievers or drinking alcohol prior to and following the Covid vaccine injection would impact the efficacy of the vaccine. Although the CDC has a sentence or two regarding use of OTC use prior to the vaccine, their FAQ response is too vague to be helpful. Please shed light on this issue. Also, I understand that OTC pain relievers can reduce the efficacy of ANY vaccine. A resource is provided here: “Don’t take a Tylenol or Advil before you get your COVID-19 vaccination and even if the shot hurts, you shouldn’t take one for a day or two after you get it, according to Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and member of the FDA vaccine advisory board.”
Questions about the second dose:
The Politics and Logistics of the Covid Vaccine
Why are existing health systems like Florida HealthCare not being used to give the vaccine to their eligible patients? They are already routinely give flu shots, etc. and have a list of those who should get the vaccine. Thank you and the DOH who are doing a great job. [Carolyn Nicolin]
When will my adult disabled son be eligible to receive the vaccine?
I’m 85 with COPD when can I get my first shot. [Jim Hosea]
Questions About the Covid Vaccine’s Effects:
Does it matter which arm I get the shot in? Someone told me it needs to be your left arm.
Specific Medical Questions:
This may fall into the Urban Myth category, but if there is any actual data on the subject, I’d be very interested to hear/read it, or read your comments. What effect might an autoimmune disorder have on an individual’s response to the Covid-19 virus? Is there any chance that following a protocol of avoiding certain substances enhances the body’s ability to respond? (One theory going around social media about ten years ago was that eschewing gluten helped mitigate the effects of chemotherapy, e.g.) This idle speculation was prompted by Tara Parker Pope’s article on the low percentage of coronavirus patients in China who wore glasses.
Can persons with a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) receive the Covid vaccine?
I am still vomiting after a week of Covid. Is that normal?
Links to additional references (some of which Dr. Bickel referred to in preparing these answers):
CDC Guidance on Allergic Reactions
CDC Fact Sheet on Covid Vaccines
New England Journal of Medicine–Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
Ask Dr. Bickel on FlaglerLive
Dr. Stephen Bickel, the medical director at the Flagler and Volusia County Health Departments, will be fielding your questions and regularly answering them on FlaglerLive. The "Ask the Doctor" column will be updated accordingly. Ask your question below. Your email will not be public. Dr. Bickel will strive to answer all questions. But similar questions will be grouped together, your questions may be edited for brevity and clarity, or withheld if deemed inappropriate or not relevant. Note the disclaimer.
The content in FlaglerLive’s “Ask the Doctor” column is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the emergency department, or call 911 immediately. Reliance on any medical information provided by FlaglerLive.com or medical professionals presenting content for publication is solely at your own risk.
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