UAB Briefs: Experts at UAB describe benefits of COVID-19 vaccinations
In this weekly online feature, we keep track of interesting people and events on campus at The University of Alabama at Birmingham.
We also provide updates regarding UAB’s efforts to cope with the COVID-19.
Let us know about people, events and programs on campus that deserve a mention in UAB Briefs. Email jchambers@starnesmedia.com.
And remember that the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Continue to follow all of the usual protocols and stay safe.
For more information about obtaining your COVID-19 vaccination through UAB, go to uabmedicinevaccine.org.
BENEFITS OF VACCINATION
With more people becoming eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, UAB experts explain some of the benefits in getting one of the three vaccines available.
You can attend small events in person
In April, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated their guidance on small public gatherings. For fully vaccinated individuals, “small gatherings in a home or private setting with other fully vaccinated people” are safe.
“For fully vaccinated people, it is safe to gather with other small groups without a mask inside a home or private setting, although medium and large gatherings are not recommended at this time, even if everyone is fully vaccinated,” Dr. Rachael Lee, assistant professor in the UAB Division of Infectious Diseases, told UAB News.
Large public events such as sporting events and concerts are still not recommended.
Those events can come back, but only once 70 percent of the population is vaccinated, said Suzanne Judd, professor in the UAB School of Public Health.
According to the CDC, people are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving a second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
You can travel
Fully vaccinated people can travel without quarantining, both domestically and internationally.
“However, outside of the home setting, I recommend continuing to wear masks to prevent transmission of COVID-19, particularly given the rise of COVID variants of concern that may bypass our immune system,” Lee said.
You can reconnect with loved ones and co-workers
Another benefit to getting vaccinated is families could feel comfortable gathering again, sharing meals and enjoying each other’s company.
You could see immediate health benefits
Receiving a COVID-19 vaccine can decrease the chances of catching COVID-19 by a remarkable percentage. Judd notes that getting a vaccine is much more likely to protect one’s health than masking or social distancing.
“The clinical trial data has demonstrated the vaccines reduce the rate of COVID by 90 percent. That is huge,” she said
In addition to having a significantly lower risk of catching COVID, a vaccine could help reduce long-term symptoms if you have already had COVID-19.
According to Judd, health professionals are hearing that some people with lingering COVID symptoms see easing of symptoms following vaccination.
Vaccination also helps in stopping the spread of COVID by slowing down mutations of the virus.
Every time the virus spreads to a new person, it has the chance to mutate. Experts say that the vaccine can help bring COVID case levels down to a manageable level.
Long-term benefits
Researchers have yet to determine what all the long-term consequences of COVID could be, even for those who had a mild case and were not hospitalized.
Judd observes that previous infectious diseases, such as chicken pox, caused health problems after many years.
“Given that we have no idea what future risks may occur from having had a COVID infection, that is a huge risk for an individual to take with their health,” Judd said.
To make an appointment to be vaccinated, go to uabmedicinevaccine.org.
PREVENTING BLINDNESS
Shervonne Poleon, a student in the UAB School of Optometry, has received the 2021 Prevent Blindness Rising Visionary Award, according to UAB News.
The Prevent Blindness Rising Visionary Award is presented annually to an optometry student or resident, ophthalmology resident, or primary health care, nursing or other health professional student or resident in the United States who has the best essay, based on the 2021 Focus on Eye Health National Summit theme, “Our Changing Vision.”
Poleon will officially receive the award and present her work as a speaker at the the Focus on Eye Health National Summit, to be held July 14-15.
For more about the Summit, to be held virtually, go to eyesummit.vfairs.com.
A student in the Vision Science Graduate Program, Poleon is from the Caribbean island of St. Lucia and attended Grambling State University as an undergraduate.
BOOSTING YOUNG WRITERS
The Ada Long Creative Writing Workshop — held each summer by the UAB Department of English — is a chance for a select group of 30 high school students to work closely with nationally acclaimed novelists, essayists and poets.
“This workshop is built around our students finding inspiration, guidance and support to express their ideas,” said Tina Braziel, director of the workshop, in a news release.
To be held June 7-24 via Zoom, the workshop is now accepting applications from rising high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors.
Applications will be accepted through May 15 or until all the spaces are filled.
The students who are accepted for the workshop will have an opportunity to earn up to one hour of college credit. In addition, they “receive one-on-one attention to develop their creative skillset,” Braziel said.
Participants will be encouraged to find inspiration for their writing in Birmingham’s culture and history. Students are able to explore such genres as poetry, fiction, memoir and magazine production.
They draft, critique, and revise original works weekly, culminating in a published piece in The Writer’s Block, the workshop’s yearly anthology.
The workshop is named for Dr. Ada Long, a professor of English and the founding director of the UAB Honors Program.
For more information about the workshop or to submit an application, click here.