By Mia Brabham
Sponsored by Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center
This interview and research was conducted on March 1, 2021.
When it comes to healthcare, it’s important to recognize, acknowledge, and learn from the past.
Historically, Black Americans have faced discrimination and abuse by medical professionals across the country, such as the Tuskegee Experiment and many others. Numbers show that because of this common distrust of the healthcare system, fewer Black and Hispanic people are getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
“The minority population has gone through a lot of things,” says Dr. Seyi Bolorunduro, an Interventional Cardiologist with Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center and NOVA Cardiovascular Care. “We have a history that has caused us to not trust the healthcare system.”
Dr. Bolorunduro — known as “Dr. Bolo” to his patients — continues with an example: “In Delaware, 24% of infections were in Black people, but only 6% of the vaccines were in Black people. In Washington, D.C., 49% of COVID cases occurred in Black people, but only 26% of vaccines were administered to Black people. A similar pattern is seen even here in Virginia: 22% vs. 13%.”
A big factor is fear, and understandably so. “There is a fear of side effects and a fear of negative intent, so we’re not sure how we will respond to this vaccine,” he says.
Dr. Bolo is here today to speak to this important topic by addressing concerns, answering common questions surrounding the COVID vaccine, and starting the conversation within the community.
“The goal is to try to address this stigma and address the concerns we do have.”
How Was It Developed So Fast?
“The technology involved in the development of these vaccines is not new,” Dr. Bolo explains.
For decades, there has been an immense amount of research that has gone into mRNA vaccine technology.
“The COVID vaccines were produced rapidly because we had a global concerted effort to concentrate resources — like money, human capital, and governmental policies — towards accomplishing this as soon as possible.”
How Does The Vaccine Work?
“Pfizer and Moderna are mRNA vaccines. They are made up of a lipid bound mRNA component of the virus.”
When administered, we generate proteins which the body develops an immune response against. “This makes our body have antibodies and T cell mediated immunity against the COVID virus when we are exposed to the real virus.”
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine works through another virus that is genetically modified. “It contains a component of the COVID virus but does not cause an infection. The body sees that genetic material of the COVID virus and creates a new immune response against it.”
In other words, the vaccine does not share a COVID protein, but gives your body a lookalike of sorts that helps it to combat the virus.
How Effective Is The Vaccine?
“The vaccines are very effective,” Dr. Bolo says. “We have different kinds of vaccines available.
According to the CDC, The Pfizer vaccine is 95% effective. The Moderna vaccine is 95% effective, and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is 66.3% effective.
According to Stat News, The Pfizer vaccine is 95% effective. The Moderna vaccine is 94% effective, and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is 72% effective in the U.S.
“A simple way to think of this is this: if you have 10 people exposed to the infection, (because of the vaccine) nine out of 10 of them would not get infected.”
Dr. Bolo mentions that while the influenza vaccination can be 40% to 60% effective each year, all of the COVID vaccination options have a much higher efficacy.
What About Protection Against New Strains?
“The vaccine will be relatively effective against new variants,” Dr. Bolo says.
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine was tested on the South African and Brazilian variants during its development. Dr. Bolo says the Johnson & Johnson vaccine was “66% effective in reducing all infections globally,” as told by Stat News in February, although a little less effective against newer strains.
Dr. Bolo says the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, although not initially tested against these strains, have been noted to also be relatively effective.
“It is definitely a better option than doing nothing,” Dr. Bolo affirms.
What Are The Side Effects?
“As of this week, almost 30 million individuals have received COVID-19 vaccinations in the U.S., and most of us do not personally know of anyone who has had a major adverse effect.”
Dr. Bolo says while some people may have no side effects, others have had injection site soreness. Headaches, fever and fatigue after the second Pfizer or Moderna vaccination have been widely reported as other possible side effects. Pfizer and Moderna are a two-shot application, with the second shot coming about a month after the first. The new Johnson & Johnson vaccine is only one shot. People may have similar or no side effects with the new shot
“Yes, the vaccine may make you feel weak or tired, but it’s not a bad thing. It’s actually a good thing when you do that,” Dr. Bolo explains. “It’s not you getting sick from the infection, it’s your body fighting and generating soldiers,” he says. “It’s like getting soldiers ready for battle, that’s a way to think of it.”
Are There Long-Term Effects?
The studies are following the patients for long-term side effects, and no significant concerns have been raised.
Why Is It Important To Get The Vaccine?
“I need to communicate that this is really important for us,” Dr. Bolo said. “In other words, we need to realize that the virus affects us more and we need to take all precautions.”
Dr. Bolo says that as of this week, according to Our World In Data, over 30 million individuals have received the complete COVID-19 vaccination in the U.S., and that “most of us do not personally know of anyone who has had a major adverse effect.”
According to Google News, the U.S. has also had almost 30 million individuals infected with COVID-19, and 510,000 have died.
“Many of us have family members or friends who have died (from COVID-19), or now have long-term complications from this illness. I want us to reflect on this comparison. The choice is glaring and it makes sense to take the vaccine.”
Dr. Bolo is aware lack of resources contributes to Black Americans not having access to information about the vaccine — and sometimes even the vaccine itself. But he encourages our community to do everything it can to learn more and get the vaccine.
“The vaccine is life-saving.”
How and When Can I Get The Vaccine?
You do not have to have internet access to register for the vaccine. You can call 703-872-7759 to receive information on how to register for the vaccine in Prince William County, or if you can, visit coronavirus.pwcgov.org/.
About Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center
Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center is a 183-bed, not-for-profit community hospital serving Prince William County and its surrounding communities. Our medical center combines the resources of a major health system with the compassionate, personalized care of a community hospital. SNVMC offers quiet, private rooms and high-quality care focused on safety and patient satisfaction. We offer a wide range of medical specialties, a highly qualified medical and clinical staff, and state-of-the-art technology. Clinical services include advanced imaging, cancer services, diabetes management, emergency care, heart and vascular care, lab services, neurosurgery, primary care, orthopedics, urology, weight loss surgery, women’s services and more. Visit iwantsentaramedicalgroup.com to find a provider today.
Mia Brabham is a contributing writer for Prince William Living.
