Chesco Medical Society Issues Vaccine Statement: Get It!

CHESTER COUNTY, PA — The Chester County Medical Society has issued a statement to healthcare providers and the community, providing clarifications and asking people to please get vaccinated.

The Chester County Medical Society is an organization that advocates for physicians and patients, working at a community level in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Medical Society. The medical society also publishes a quarterly magazine called Chester County Medicine.

Chester County Medical Society Executive Director David McKeighan provided a statement regarding COVID-19 vaccinations.

"The Board of Directors of the Chester County Medical Society encourages all physicians and healthcare providers to share the following statement with their patients, and the community at large:

The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on our community has been profound, emotionally, medically, and socioeconomically. The evidence suggests that widespread administration of the currently available vaccines will dramatically curtail this on-going medical scourge, one of the worst in human history.

However, the vaccines can only help our larger community if the majority of that community, 70 percent or more, receives the vaccine. Currently, vaccinations are being administered to healthcare providers, but in the coming weeks, these will be available to the general population.

In an effort to allay fears regarding receiving the vaccine, please consider the following points:

1. There are presently two mRNA vaccines with 90 to 95 percent efficacy in preventing clinical COVID-19 currently available through an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the FDA in the United States.

2. The only absolute contraindication to COVID-19 vaccination is a history of an immediate allergic reaction to either the COVID-19 vaccine or any of their components.

3. Severe adverse reactions are uncommon, but vaccine providers will be prepared for this rare event.

4. Both vaccines are administered intramuscularly in a 2-dose series and have been proven to have a 90 to 95% efficacy in preventing disease.

5. In addition, 3 other vaccines are also completing the final phase of clinical testing in the United States.

6. Please note, NONE of these vaccines is a “live” attenuated virus-based vaccine. These vaccines CANNOT give ANY patients COVID-19 infection.

7. Mild side effects after the second dose of these vaccines may occur in up to 15 percent of cases and include muscle aches, headaches, chills, and even low-grade fever, but these symptoms are not long-term.

8. The two currently available vaccines have been shown to prevent symptomatic disease but it is not yet known if they will prevent asymptomatic disease or person-to-person transmission.

Mask-wearing and social distancing will be required until our larger community acquires immunity and the virus is suppressed, so we encouraged everyone to do their part in turning the tide in this crisis.

When possible, PLEASE GET VACCINATED!"

The Chester County Health Department's information page on COVID-19 and vaccinations can be found here.