Is a covid vaccine really necessary for everyone? And why long covid is more prevalent than you think. So, will you get vaccinated?
Covid 19 has dominated our lives for the last 7 months-we’ve had our freedom restricted and controlled by the authorities and we have worried for the health of loved ones. No one of us has experienced the withdrawal of civil liberties and had to face 3 months in complete isolation before. That is-until recently. And Covid 19 is not just a disease of the infirm-it can affect people long after they have initially recovered.
Is Long Covid The Greater Risk?
In fact, we only know so much about it and although it is generally affecting those in their elder years to such an extent-younger people have ended up in hospital. Long covid is the name given to long term complications after covid. Although, I feel relatively safe from the virus-I still worry for myself and the possible outcome of catching it. My logical mind says that I will not be greatly affected if I did catch the disease because I keep myself healthy-but I could still get a bad dose and be out for weeks; and who knows if that might have a long term affect?
There certainly have been long covid cases to have affected the younger generation.
In Spain, within a covid group of 2000 people still reporting symptoms months after the initial infection-half of those affected were in the 36-50 age range; a study has found. The mean age was 43. Over 70% were female, so long covid is affecting middle aged women. The most common complaint? Neurological symptoms were the most common of symptoms within the 2000 participants; a kind of ‘brain fog’, affecting concentration and focus.
And these were people who had no previous conditions and who did not seek hospital admission.
Therefore-even for a an avid anti-vaccinator, I do have to think this one through. What are the implications of me not receiving the vaccine when it arrives? I am approaching 36.
For it seems to be on its way-destined for our shores by Christmas (it is being reported). The vaccine which has been developed by Pfizer, hopes to reduce transmission by up to 50% and resulting in a return to normal by next winter 2021. This will encourage many to take up the mantel and provide a willing arm.
But Is It necessary?
According to the BMJ: 10% of covid patients experience longer term implications. 10% is a lot when you consider the positive cases worldwide to be over 54 million. Apparently however-according to the BBC, this is the amount of patients who are still experiencing symptoms 30 days later, and longer term statistics (in the 90 day region) are only within 2% of sufferers. This is what we know so far-bear that in mind.
2% is 2% however and still amounts to a 108,000 people (worldwide)-who develop long term symptoms.
Do We Know Anything About Those Who Develop Long Term Symptoms?
Yes, we do. Whilst covid seems to affect men more when it comes to seriousness and fatalities-women are more likely to be experiencing long covid. This has been reported by both the BMJ and the BBC.
It also seems to be women in their fifties + that experience longer term symptoms, and this is projected to be the case if symptoms are 5 or more identifiable covid symptoms in the first week.
Research has found people experiencing five or more covid symptoms in the first week, are more inclined to develop long term covid.
So What Does This Mean?
It means, if you are below the age of 50, then long covid is not such a threat. Yet, there is contrary evidence of this and I have heard of women in their late teens and early twenties struggling with ‘brain fog’ long after the infection-and reporting chronic fatigue symptoms.
However, you do have to ask yourself-do these people make their health a priority?
Controversially, there is growing speculation towards athletes and if they are more susceptible to developing long covid? I can only discern that this is due to the intense pressure organs are put under in order to outperform.
With This In Mind, Will I Get A Vaccine?
The vaccine debate is only just beginning, the will I or won’t I crossing all our minds. Whilst this might be a non-negotiable for most, there are growing numbers of people who (rightly so) question vaccination. The Metro newspaper ran an article on the new Pfizer vaccine and the notion that those who did not get vaccinated were-covdiots (Metro, Thursday 12th November). Following, there was a huge reaction to this within the Metro Talk (Friday 13th November) column. Many people came out in force to support the notion of not getting vaccinated. Or, at least of querying it.
And there is a strong conviction not to-it has been developed in a short amount of time, no one really knows what is within a vaccine and do we even need it anyway?
‘Isn’t that what our immune system is for’?
Do We Even Need a Vaccine?
If you are younger than 50, slim and in good health-I would argue that there is no need for a vaccine. Those who need the vaccine are those older than 50, those with pre-exisitng conditions and those who regularly fall ill. There has been a lot of evidence to suggest inflammation causes the severity of covid 19-and inflammation is rife within those who are overweight.
And yet, I cannot ignore the long covid debate and what it has shown us. There are younger women who are falling ill with perhaps long term implications. I cannot comment upon whether these individuals look after themselves or not-all we know is: there were no pre-exisitng conditions within the participants.
But I return to Hippocrates and:
‘Food is thy medicine’
(which the following peer reviewed paper quotes by the way)
There is also growing research in this particular field-with salmon, spirulina, and vitamin D (mushrooms, oily fish) playing vital roles, it is thought in the prevention of covid/covid severity. The reason salmon is pink is due to the algae they consume (spirulina is an algae).
Although there is still much research needed in this field: spirulina needs more trials to prove effectiveness; I can already testify that spirulina prevents infection and strengthens the immune system. I have visited the doctor once in the past five years.
Knowing this already, and having been a long advocate of spirulina-I think this is all I need, but how many people are taking supplements like spirulina for protection-not many.
So for me: it is either the vaccine or spirulina-I know which one I’d rather take.
