Part 2: Anaphylaxis After Covid-19 Vaccination | Covid-19 and Minority Communities

Welcome to Part 2 of our interview with Dr. Akilah A. Jefferson, MD, MSc. In this episode, we get into the impact of Covid on the minority communities, and  I discuss the side effects caused by the Covid-19 Vaccine.

Akilah A. Jefferson Shah, MD, MSc is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Allergy, and Immunology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine (UAMS). She received her medical degree from Tulane University School of Medicine and her BA in Bioethics from Brown University. She is also trained in health policy and bioethics, completing post-graduate degrees in both fields at Georgetown University and the National Institutes of Health. She completed her allergy and immunology fellowship training at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID/NIH) and residency in internal medicine at The George Washington University Hospital.

[00:01 – 06:44] Healthy People Information

• Anaphylaxis due to the Covid-19 Vaccine
• Article review on Anaphylaxis in relation to the Pfizer Vaccine after the first dose
• Definition of Anaphylaxis
  • Sudden onset
  • Rapid progression of signs and symptoms
  • Involving multiple organ systems
• Common signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis after the first dose of Pfizer Vaccine

[06:45 – 18:04] Part 2: Covid-19 and Minority Communities

• I talk about the values and vital information discussed in this episode
• Refusing to cater to patients due to underlying racism
• Increased rate of mortalities in Minority communities due to racism and biases
• Addressing and resolving racism and segregation in the healthcare industry
• What stops people, specifically people of color, from participating in Vaccine trials
• Combating mistrust

[18:05 – 34:38] Campaign for Covid-19 Vaccination

• Akilah’s thoughts on the first vaccines that came out
  • Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson
• Tracking and monitoring the symptoms and overall state of people who were vaccinated against Covid-19
• Convincing people of the importance of getting vaccinated against Covid-19
• The future of vaccines going forward
• Why we should invest in science and research
• Encouraging the youth to venture into science and medicine
• What we need to do as a nation to go back to some sense of normality 

[34:39 – 39:52] Randy’s Random Questions

• Do you have any personal superstitions?
  • Do not put your purse on the ground, because you’ll lose all your money
• Explain the importance of a birthday to a person who just woke up from a coma
• If you had to hang out with any fictitious character for an entire day? Who that be?
  • Princess Ariel

[39:53 – 43:20] Closing Segment

• Follow Dr. Akilah Jefferson Shah
  • See Links Below
• Recap of key information discussed in the episode
• Final Words

 

Tweetable Quotes:

“It’s risk versus reward. I believe the reward is greater than the risk of harm when getting vaccinated for Covid-19.” - Dr. Randy Hines II

“To combat mistrust, you have to give people a reason to trust you.” - Dr. Akilah Jefferson

“You can have an allergic reaction to any medication you take, to any other vaccine you take.” - Dr. Akilah Jefferson 

“The only way we get back to any sense of normalcy is when we all decide that we’re each other’s keepers.” - Dr. Akilah Jefferson

 

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Shimabukuro, Tom, and Narayan Nair. “Allergic Reactions Including Anaphylaxis After Receipt of the First Dose of Pfizer-BioNtech Covid-19 Vaccine.” Journal of the American Medical Association, vol. 325, no. 8, 23 Feb. 2021, pp. 780–781.

• Covid’s Devastation on the Black Community and What Needs to Change
• Jama February Article on Anaphylaxis in relationships to the Pfizer Vaccine after first dose
• CDC Article on Anaphylaxis after receipt of first dose of Pfizer Vaccine
• The Brighton Collaboration
• Brighton Collaboration Case Definition of Anaphylaxis for use in SPSU study

Connect with Akilah, follow her on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

 

To know more, you can connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Also, visit my website https://hinesentertainment.com/ or email me at hinesentertainmentgrp@gmail.com 

 

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