[dropcap]Early[/dropcap] Monday morning, Dec. 14, Governor Jared Polis accepted the first delivery of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in Colorado. Almost immediately, frontline healthcare workers started receiving the vaccine. One of the first was Dr. Ari Melmed, a Kaiser Permanente emergency medicine physician who works in SCL Health facilities.

The Intermountain Jewish News checked in with Dr. Melmed to see how the experience went, what it’s been like working in the medical field during the pandemic, and what impact he thinks the vaccine will have on the coronavirus pandemic in Colorado.

IJN: When did you find out you would be receiving the vaccine?

Dr. Ari Melmed (AM): Kaiser Permanente has been monitoring the progress of the COVID-19 vaccines closely through the testing and approval phases. When the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the FDA late last week, the state health department worked quickly to deliver a plan to care provider and health systems in the area. I work in the emergency department at Saint Joseph Hospital so I was able to receive the vaccine this week.

IJN: Were you nervous?

AM: I wasn’t nervous at all. I showed up 20 minutes early and the hospital staff were already ahead of schedule and made sure I received the vaccine in a timely manner.

IJN: Have you had any side effects?

AM: No. Like most recommended vaccines, the ones for COVID-19, which will be administered in two doses weeks apart, can produce side effects though. Some people who participated in clinical trials studying these vaccines reported fevers, headaches, fatigue, muscle aches, and soreness around injection sites.

These minor symptoms are a sign that the body is responding to the vaccine as expected and building immunity and, in most cases, had fully resolved within 2 days of getting the vaccine.

As COVID-19 vaccines receive approval, safety and efficacy data will also be released to the public. This data is closely reviewed by our infectious disease physicians, researchers, and vaccine experts in collaboration with state public health officials.

IJN: Why do you think it’s important that medical professionals be the first to receive it?

AM: The prioritization guidance was developed by the CDC and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Those of us who are regularly taking care of patients who are seriously ill with COVID-19 are at more risk for getting ill ourselves.

While we use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), sometimes a patient’s status changes quickly. Aerosolizing procedures — like needing to put someone on a ventilator — create dangerous scenarios for health care workers.

Protecting medical professionals helps us maintain a steady workforce in the hospitals, nursing homes, ambulance services and other critical care platforms. This is imperative to make sure that everyone who needs medical care — whether sick with COVID-19, chest pain, or an infection — can get care when they need it.

IJN: How will having the vaccine impact your work as an ER doctor?

AM: There will be no major changes at this time. We’ll still use PPE and practice the same hygiene and safety standards. My life won’t change outside of the emergency department either. I’ll still wear a mask and physically distance.

While we have data to suggest that those who are immunized will have far fewer infections and fewer severe infections, there’s much we still don’t know.

Until we know more, it’s best to stay the course and stay safe. I’m relieved and grateful to have received this vaccine.

IJN: What has been your routine during this pandemic in terms of hygiene and quarantine? Will this change that?

AM: In March, we started wearing masks, scrubs, face shields and hair coverings during our shifts. Before the pandemic, I would get dressed at home and now I change into scrubs in the hospital. I now shower and change all my clothes and shoes after leaving patient care areas.

When the pandemic started, it was scary. There was a lot the world did not know about this virus — and there is still a lot to be discovered. Everyone’s routine has changed.

I’m proud of Coloradans who have continued to wear their masks, physically distance and adapt to these challenging times.

The work is not over, though. We must continue to follow recommended guidance from state and federal health officials to ensure we can beat this virus together.

IJN: This vaccine has been developed and released far quicker than previous vaccines. What would you tell people who are hesitant or nervous about getting the vaccine? Or people who say that the long-term benefits of the vaccine can’t be known at this time?

AM: The vaccine that was approved and the others in development weren’t created by cutting corners or skipping safety measures. It’s important to spend the time necessary to vet the sources of information we use to make judgements about these things. I hope that people will take the time to read through the facts on the issue and get vaccinated.

IJN: Is this a game changer? If so, why?

AM: This is a big step and there’s much we still don’t know. There’s no single development in the fight against COVID-19 which could be called a game changer. We need ways of identifying who has it, who may be unaware that they’re spreading it, ways to vaccinate against it, but we also need ways to effectively treat it. We’re all still in the grips of this thing and it will take time to get back to normal.

IJN: Looking ahead, where do you see Colorado in six months’ time in terms of COVID? Will we still be wearing masks? Will the vaccine be widely distributed?

AM: I cannot predict the future. My hope is that the most vulnerable will get the vaccine soon and that we’ll slowly emerge from this collective nightmare.

This has been so hard for everyone. I see first-hand people who are suffering from the disease, those suffering under the burden of disruption, isolation and loneliness. We’ve made it this far and taken such extraordinary measures. This is a wonderful and hopeful step, but we have to be patient over the coming months and continue to follow advice from state and federal health officials to prevent backsliding or unnecessary infections.

Shana Goldberg may be reached at shana@ijn.com.

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