HomeMy WebLinkAbout02082021_Rovelstad_COVID.ResponseFrom:Tom Locke
To:Charlotte
Cc:Liz Anderson; Karen Abbott
Subject:Re: Question for DR. Locke
Date:Monday, February 8, 2021 4:25:31 PM
Ms. Rovelstad,
This is a small study (40 participants) but an encouraging one. COVID vaccine is recommended
for people who have had COVID-19 based on three main considerations: 1) natural immune
response to SARS-CoV-2 seems to vary based on severity of illness -- mild or asymptomatic
illness induces a milder and more transient response, more severe disease results in a
stronger immune response 2) the vaccine has been shown to be safe to use in post-COVID
patients (no increase risk of cytokine release syndrome) and 3) the vaccine induces a focused
antibody and cellular immune response to the spike protein, resulting in high levels of
neutralizing antibody. Natural infection induces a wide range of antibodies, some neutralizing
and many not. The persistence of immunity from natural or vaccine-induced immunity is not
known at this time nor is the protection that might be conferred to variant strains of SARS-
CoV-2.
Sincerely,
Tom Locke, MD, MPH
Jefferson County Health Officer
From: Charlotte <milagrosx2@comcast.net>
Sent: Monday, February 8, 2021 3:25 PM
To: info@jeffersoncountypublichealth.org
Subject: Question for DR. Locke
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Dear Dr. Locke,
I just read an article in the Peninsula Daily News in which you were quoted as follows:
"…. the vaccine is more effective for providing immunity to COVID-19 than catching the virus”
According to the NIH:
https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/lasting-immunity-found-after-recovery-
covid-19
“Several months ago, our studies showed that natural infection induced a strong response, and this
study now shows that the responses lasts,” Weiskopf says. “We are hopeful that a similar pattern of
responses lasting over time will also emerge for the vaccine-induced responses.”
In other words we do not yet have evidence as to whether any of the approved vaccines provide
immunity. As a matter of fact, I believe it has been determined by the vaccine makers that the
vaccines protect an individual from getting extremely sick and from dying from Covid-19 but failed to
show evidence of preventing transmission and long-lasting immunity.
I would like to know whether you have accessed research that has shown otherwise and would be
grateful if you could share those. This is a complicated matter and it is important to read as many
sources as possible.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes,
Charlotte Rovelstad