Hospital:
620-825-4131
Clinic:
620-825-4121
Manor:
620-825-4117
Clinic & Hospital 1002 S. 4th Street, Kiowa, Kansas 67070
Long-Term Manor 1020 Main Street, Kiowa, Kansas 67070
Provider Insight on COVID-19 Vaccine
There have been many reoccuring questions in regards to the COVID-19 Vaccine. On this page you will see facts that our provider team have found relevant for most patients when getting the COVID-19 Vaccine.
If you still have questions and concerns, please contact our Rural Health Clinic. We can schedule you an appoitment to speak with one of our providers, to help answer any questions you may have.
KDH Clinic: (620) 825-4121
Common Questions
What's in a COVID-19 Vaccine and is it new?
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The COVID-19 vaccine is a mRNA vaccine that has been studied for almost 20 years. First, the mRNA or messenger RNA is naturally found in our body in the genetic material. The role of mRNA in our body is to teach the body's cells how to make proteins. The modified mRNA in this vaccine teaches our bodies the body how to make protein that is found on the COVID-19 surface or the spike. Therefore, when the body sees that protein, it quickly starts to make antibodies to fight the virus to help protect a person from COVID-19. There are also lipids, or fatty particles, in the vaccine that protect the mRNA to keep it safe as it makes its way to your cells. There's also saline, or a salt solution, that keeps the vaccine the same from manufacturer to administration.
What will the vaccine do for me?
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We have seen vaccines eradicate several diseases through the years. Vaccines do WORK if we all get them! The vaccine will help protect you from COVID-19. You may still get COVID-19 but the vaccine will protect you from getting seriously ill
Even if I have had COVID-19 should I get vaccinated?
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Even if you have had COVID-19 the vaccine is still recommended.
Can I get COVID-19 from the vaccine?
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The COVID 19 vaccine does not have live or whole SARS-CoV-2 virus. Therefore, you can't get COVID-19 from it. The vaccine's mRNA is modified and can't change your DNA. There are no preservatives, fetal cells, eggs, mercury, and latex in the mRNA vaccine.
Other Known Facts
Data continues to support the benefits of the vaccine.
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Unvaccinated people are 17x more likely to be hospitalized due to COVID-19. Greater than 95% hospitalized are unvaccinated. Think if that 95% were vaccinated we would not be having a bed shortage in the hospitals.
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For the Delta variant COVID-19 serious illness is reduced by over 90% and death is decreased by over 99%. The vaccine is proven effective.
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The 5 least vaccinated states have 10 times more hospitalized and 7 times more death!
Pregnant population:
Doctors urge pregnant people and those considering pregnancy to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Pregnant people have suppressed immune systems which makes them more vulnerable to COVID-19. Several worry that the vaccine will harm the fetus in the womb but actually the vaccine is beneficial. The vaccine provides antibodies to the mother and there is proof that it does provide them for the baby to help fight COVID-19. Interestingly, having the vaccine will help with fertility. Confusion initially arose when a false report claimed that the spike protein on the coronavirus was the same as another spike protein called synctitin-1 which is involved in the growth and attachment of the placenta during pregnancy. The report stated that having the COVID vaccine will cause a woman's body to fight different spike protein and affect her fertility. Men who have COVID post infection will have a decreased sperm count afterwards for an unknown time and women who are going through fertility treatments also have a more difficult time getting pregnant which all results in less chances of becoming pregnant. The vaccine is safe for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. Pregnant women infected with COVID-19 are 22 times more likely to die than pregnant women not infected with COVID-19.
Having COVID-19 puts a person at an increased risk for other complications and medical issues. A recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine studied the risk of people that had COVID-19 vs. those that were vaccinated against COVID-19. The findings sharply showed that the risks involved with COVID-19 were much greater than the vaccine. Aside from the risks of getting COVID-19, we know the risk of death is much higher with over 4.5 million deaths thus far globally.
-Dedra Rathgeber APRN NP-C
At Kiowa District Healthcare we have a remarkable team of medical experts who are dedicated to providing you and your family with quality, patient-centered healthcare close to home!
Dr. Paul Wilhelm
Chief of Staff
Dr. Kirk Bliss
Physician
Melissa Stroh
PA-C
