Ask Alex! Get your Covid-related questions answered by our in-house medical expert!
Since March of last year we haven't made a move without consulting Dr. Alex Patel. An ICU doctor with a love of dance, he's been an invaluable resource for us and he's agreed to share his insights and knowledge with you!
“Which Vaccine is better?”
Dr. Alex Patel: The two vaccines available in Canada are roughly equivalent currently (Pfizer and Moderna). Both are mRNA vaccines and given as two doses and both are about 94-95% effective in preventing COVID infection. mRNA is a new technology that does not involve any live virus but rather uses a synthetic protein that mimics a protein on the virus to generate antibodies. The Moderna is likely the one most will receive since it can be distributed easier due to temperature issues around storage.
“If an individual’s COVID antibody test and nasal swab comes out positive, what does this indicate about how far into the progression of covid the person is in and how contagious he/she/it is?”
Dr. Alex Patel: The antibody test lets you know if you have ever had COVID at some point (likely within the last 6 months but could even be further than that). It looks for antibodies to the virus that are generated when you first fight it off that would indicate you still have immunity to the virus. The Nasopharyngeal swab looks for actual viral particles and usually indicates infection within the last few weeks (although can remain positive up until 8 weeks out). A person is considered to be non-infectious if they have gone at least 10 days from the initial infection and their symptoms are improving and no fever is present (although loss of taste and smell can last for a long time). In general the Nasopharyngeal swab will be present in more acute and infectious COVID but can remain positive beyond the infectious window. The antibody test has no correlation with being infectious and only indicates prior infection and immunity to re-infection.
“When it is said that the new UK strain spreads more easily, is that because it survives longer when airborne, or better survives on surfaces, or...? How is it spreading?”
Dr. Alex Patel: The UK variant essentially is one of many mutations in the COVID virus. This particular mutation involves the spike protein which allows easier entry into your cells because it has higher affinity (or binds easier) to the normal cell membrane. Basically, the virus can enter cells easier and more effectively allows it to spread easier to more cells. There is no evidence that the virus is airborne or sticks to other surfaces better. However we have seen higher concentrations in the nasal swabs indicating maybe it is more concentrated, likely because it enters cells easier as mentioned above. It stands to reason as such that the person who is infected can more efficiently spread it because of this higher concentration. Some good news is that we don't believe the virus makes you sicker once you have it.
“Whats in the vaccine and if you have had reactions to the flu shot should you get this one ?”
Dr. Alex Patel: The Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine contains the following ingredients: messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA), lipids (SM-102, polyethylene glycol [PEG] 2000 dimyristoyl glycerol [DMG], cholesterol, and 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine [DSPC]), tromethamine, tromethamine hydrochloride, acetic acid, sodium acetate, and sucrose
The Pfzier vaccine has
ALC-0315 = ((4-hydroxybutyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl)bis(2-hexyldecanoate)
ALC-0159 = 2-[(polyethylene glycol)-2000]-N,N-ditetradecylacetamide
1,2-Distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine
cholesterol
dibasic sodium phosphate dihydrate
monobasic potassium phosphate
potassium chloride
sodium chloride
sucrose
water for injection
If you have allergies to any of the components then you should not receive the virus. The most common reaction is to PEG which can be found in some cosmetics, skincare products, laxatives, some processed foods and drinks and other products.
As for having a reaction to another vaccine (such as the flu vaccine) you should compare ingredients. The most recent flu vaccine does not have similar ingredients. If you have had a severe allergic reaction to another vaccine such as the influenza vaccine you should speak to your doctor to see if it is safe to get this vaccine. Some people have gotten it. In general those that get the vaccine are asked to stay on site for 30 mins rather than the standard 15 mins for monitoring after receiving the injection.
You can send us your questions via this form, answers will be posted on this page.
International Dance Day message from frontline workers in the Nova Dance extended family.
Last May, Dr. Alex Patel was one of those who responded to our International Dance Day message.