COVID-19 and Vaccines – Update

Here’s a short talk I gave (4/17/21) about the latest information on COVID-19 and the vaccines, discussing a few common questions and concerns (video clip and PowerPoint slides with references)

Table of Contents

1 COVID-19 and Vaccines Update (YouTube Video):
2 COVID-19 and Vaccines (PowerPoint):
- 2.1 Downloadable:
- 2.2 Notes and References for slides:
3 Interesting details as to how the mRNA vaccines are actually made:
4 Bio of Dr. Sean Pitman
5 Related

COVID-19 and Vaccines Update (YouTube Video):

COVID-19 and Vaccines (PowerPoint):

Downloadable:

COVID-19 and the mRNA Vaccines

Notes and References for slides:

Slide 3 (Vitamin D protects against viral infections):

“However, there was a very pronounced seasonal variation of both influenza deaths and pneumonia deaths, the vast majority occurring during the winter. Vitamin D levels were also estimated from several publications. The data support the hypothesis that a high vitamin D level, as that found in the summer, acts in a protective manner with respect to influenza as well as pneumonia.”

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3092571/

Slide 12 (mRNA Vaccine Ingredients):

mRNA Vaccine Ingredients:

mRNA, lipids ((4-hydroxybutyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl)bis(2-hexyldecanoate), 2 [(polyethylene glycol)-2000]-N,N-ditetradecylacetamide, 1,2-Distearoyl-sn-glycero-3- phosphocholine, and cholesterol), potassium chloride, monobasic potassium phosphate, sodium chloride, dibasic sodium phosphate dihydrate, and sucrose.

https://www.fda.gov/media/144414/download

Slide 13 (mRNA vaccine efficacy):

https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-vaccine-data-how-many-have-already-been-inoculated-for-covid-1.9626604

https://www.ocregister.com/2021/04/15/cdc-reports-5800-covid-19-infections-74-deaths-in-fully-vaccinated-people/

“The 2 mRNA vaccines have similar efficacy of approximately 95% for the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19 and nearly 100% efficacy in preventing death from COVID-19 after 2 doses.” – Rio and Malani, JAMA, March 4, 2021

Slide 14 (DNA vs. mRNA vaccines):

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7501509/

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/joint-cdc-and-fda-statement-on-johnson–johnson-covid-19-vaccine-301267526.html (April 13, 2021) – 6 cases of Cerebrovascular Sinus Thrombosis

https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/lightning/victimdata.html

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/flash-facts-about-lightning

Slide 15 (mRNA vaccines and autoimmunity):

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7501509/

http://www.educatetruth.com/featured/are-mrna-vaccines-for-covid-19-helpful-or-harmful/#Do-mRNA-vaccines-increase-the-risk-of-autoimmunity

Slide 18 (Quinine and Malaria):

Quinine is used for its toxicity to the malarial pathogen, Plasmodium falciparum, by interfering with the parasite’s ability to dissolve and metabolize hemoglobin. As with other quinoline antimalarial drugs, the precise mechanism of action of quinine has not been fully resolved, although in vitro studies indicate it inhibits nucleic acid and protein synthesis, and inhibits glycolysis in P. falciparum. The most widely accepted hypothesis of its action is based on the well-studied and closely related quinoline drug, chloroquine. This model involves the inhibition of hemozoin biocrystallization in the heme detoxification pathway, which facilitates the aggregation of cytotoxic heme. Free cytotoxic heme accumulates in the parasites, causing their deaths. Quinine may target the malaria purine nucleoside phosphorylase enzyme.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quinine#Mechanism_of_action

Slide 22 (Forest Bathing):

Xavier Nogués, et. al., Calcifediol Treatment and COVID-19-Related Outcomes (pre-print, Lancet, Jan 21, 2021)

https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3771318

“A total of 930 participants were included. Participants (n=551) were randomly assigned to calcifediol treatment (532 ug on day one and 266 ug on day 3, 7, 15, and 30) at the time of hospital admission… Higher baseline 25(OH)D levels were significantly associated with decreased mortality (RR 0.40 [95% CI 0.24;0.67]).”

Forest Bathing with Dr. Roger Seheult: https://youtu.be/PgDjVEpEOdQ