Myths vs. Facts: Making Sense of COVID-19 Vaccine Misinformation | The Brink

Upcoming Vaccine Clinics At Walgreens

Walgreens will soon host two vaccine clinics in Casper.

On Sunday and Nov. 2, Walgreens will host vaccine clinics, according to a press release. Both clinics will have vaccines for flu, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus, pneumonia, shingles and hepatitis B. The tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis vaccines, known more commonly as TDAP, will also be available.

"Getting your flu shot and other recommended vaccinations is the most important way to protect you, your loved ones, and your community from illness and potential hospitalization," read the press release.

The Sunday clinic will take place at the Walgreens on SE Wyoming Boulevard. It will operate from 11 a.M. To 5 p.M.

The Nov. 2 clinic will be at the Walgreens on CY Avenue. It will operate from 9 a.M. To 1 p.M.

Insurance is required for all vaccines except the flu shot. If you do not have insurance but still wish to get the flu vaccine, there will be coupons to make the shot free.

Appointments are available, but walk-ins are also welcome, according to the press release.

Toxoid Vaccine: Tetanus

Step 1Use the growth medium to grow new copies of the Clostridium tetani bacteria.   With a toxoid vaccine, the goal is to condition the immune system to combat not an invading virus or bacteria but rather a toxin produced by that invading virus or bacteria. The tetanus shot is such a vaccine. Tetanus is a disease caused by toxins created by the bacteria Clostridium tetani. The vaccine conditions the body's immune system to eliminate these toxins.

To produce the vaccine, you first need to grow many copies of the Clostridium tetani bacteria.

Step 2Isolate the toxins with the purifier.   While in the growth medium, the bacterial cells produce the toxin, which are toxic molecules that are often released by the cells.

To produce the vaccine, you'll need to separate these molecules from the bacteria and the growth medium.

Step 3Add aluminum salts to the purified toxins.   In this state, the toxin would be harmful to the human body. To make the vaccine, it needs to be neutralized.

Sometimes formaldehyde is used to neutralize toxins. For your vaccine, you'll use aluminum salts to decrease its harmful effects.

Step 4Fill the syringe with the treated toxins.   The toxin would work as a vaccine now, but it wouldn't stimulate a strong immune response. To increase the response, an "adjuvant" is added to the vaccine.

For the tetanus vaccine, another vaccine acts as the adjuvant. This other vaccine inoculates against pertussis. The vaccine for diphtheria—also a toxoid vaccine—is also often added to the tetanus/pertussis combo, making for the DPT vaccine.

DoneThe tetanus vaccine is complete.

Select another pathogen.

  Congratulations. You have produced a toxoid vaccine for tetanus.

As with other inactivated vaccines, there are disadvantages with toxoid vaccines. Even with the adjuvant, these vaccines do not produce a full immune response. Booster shots are needed to maintain the immunity.

How To Know If You Need A Whooping Cough Vaccine As Cases Rise

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a serious illness. It's highly contagious, can leave you with a hacking cough for months, and is especially dangerous to babies. The CDC reports that cases are on the rise this year. Fortunately, most of us have already been vaccinated against pertussis—but that immunity fades over time. You may need another dose. 

What is pertussis? 

Pertussis, or whooping cough, is caused by a species of bacteria called Bordetella pertussis. The bacteria attach to the inside surface of the lungs and release a toxin that causes tissues to swell. Its characteristic symptom is a persistent, severe cough. 

Pertussis has been nicknamed the "100-day cough" because its symptoms can last that long. "Whooping cough" is named after the sound you might make when gasping for air during a coughing fit. Vomiting, exhaustion, and trouble breathing may accompany the coughing fits; it's not unheard of to break a rib coughing. For babies, the coughing can interfere with breathing enough to be life threatening. 

The symptoms of pertussis may initially appear the same as for a common cold, with the coughing fits developing over time. It's also possible for a person who is lucky and has a strong immune system to carry and pass on the bacteria without any noticeable symptoms. That's why the vaccine is so important—you can spread pertussis before you feel sick, or even without realizing you are sick.

Immunity from the vaccine fades over time

There is a pertussis vaccine, and it's routinely given in childhood, with the major caveat that babies need to be 2 months old before they can get it. 

There are actually two vaccines: DTaP is given to young children, and it protects against three diseases: diphtheria (the D in the acronym), tetanus (T), and pertussis (aP, for acellular pertussis). There used to be a whole-cell pertussis vaccine, which is no longer used. Older children and adults get a similar vaccine, called Tdap, which protects against the same illnesses but contains smaller doses of the diphtheria and pertussis components. If you're old enough to read this article, Tdap is the one you'll get.

Most of us had several doses of pertussis vaccine as children, and if that's the case, we were protected for years. But the CDC notes that pertussis immunity fades over time. So far, there is no official recommendation for whether or how often to get a booster shot. But a TDaP shot, which immunizes you against tetanus, diptheria, and pertussis, can be given as your every-10-years tetanus protection. Make sure to ask for TDaP specifically, because sometimes a "tetanus shot" only includes tetanus and diphtheria protection. 

Who needs a pertussis vaccine, according to the CDC

The official recommendations, according to the CDC, are for the following people to get a pertussis shot: 

Young children need a five-dose DTaP series starting at 2 months of age; the last shot of the series is usually given when they are 4 to 6 years old.

Older children need a single shot of Tdap at age 11 or 12.

Adults who never got a Tdap shot should get a Tdap shot. This can happen anytime. How about now? 

Anyone who is pregnant should get a Tdap shot during the third trimester of each pregnancy. This gives the baby some antibodies against pertussis that can protect them during those early months of life when they are too young to get the pertussis vaccine themselves.

Adults who spend time around babies—such as grandparents and babysitters—aren't specifically recommended to get a Tdap booster, but many healthcare providers would say that it's still a good idea. It's usually fine to get a Tdap shot even if you've had one a few years ago, or aren't sure whether you've had one. As always, check with your healthcare provider if you have questions or want to be sure that it's right for you.

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