Page 10 • <strong>Mississippi</strong> <strong>RN</strong> <strong>March</strong>, April, May <strong>2021</strong> Honoring Our Fallen Nurse Heroes Rather, ten times, die in the surf, heralding the way to a new world, than stand idly on the shore." —Florence Nightingale Susan Boyette, Enterprise, MS Sarah Clark, Meridian, MS Julie Field, Biloxi, MS William "Bill" Gassett, Brandon, MS Melvin Green, Yazoo, MS Tammy Grice, Gulfport, MS Robin Holland, Gulfport, MS Walter “Scott” Howard, Quitman, MS Essie Hudson, Hattiesburg, MS Karen Jackson, Columbia, MS Debbie Kain, Raymond, MS Patricia Ann Kirksey, Greenville, MS Cheryl Anne Longfellow, Ocean Springs, MS Frances “Elaine” McRae, Pascagoula, MS Sheena R. Miles, Morton, MS Becky Darlene Myhand, Smithville, MS Kimberly Napper, Madison, MS Sheri Nunnery, Magnolia, MS Sandra Powell, Natchez, MS Bill Ricketts, Corinth, MS Neff Rios, Dublin, MS Arletta Smith, Brookhaven, MS Shelley Smith, Grenada, MS Melinda Spears, Shivers, MS Lori Spikes, Clinton, MS Mary Sprayberry, Nettleton, MS Dianne Starling- Jackson, Madison, MS Debbie Stokes, Colia, MS Ann Williamson, Cleveland, MS Diane Wolfe, Brandon, MS Kari Young, Olive Branch, MS
<strong>March</strong>, April, May <strong>2021</strong> <strong>Mississippi</strong> <strong>RN</strong> • Page 11 COVID-19 Vaccination in <strong>Mississippi</strong> Thomas E. Dobbs, III, MD, MPH State Health Officer <strong>Mississippi</strong> State Department of Health The development of multiple COVID vaccines in less than a year is nothing short of remarkable. The fact that these vaccines were approved with the standard scientific rigor is even more remarkable. The technological leap that supported the development of m<strong>RN</strong>A vaccines was years in the making. This was not a rushed process, but the culmination of over a decade of research that left us in a prime position to launch these novel and highly effective vaccines. Currently two COVID-19 vaccines are available in the U.S. Both use messenger <strong>RN</strong>A technology (m<strong>RN</strong>A), composed of strands of m<strong>RN</strong>A enveloped in microscopic balls of lipids. m<strong>RN</strong>A vaccines take advantage of the body’s natural processes, using your own cell near the injection sight to produce the spike protein (and only the spike protein). Entire COVID-19 cannot be produced, and you cannot get COVID from the vaccine. This approach has the benefit of generating robust cell-mediated and antibody-based immunity. The m<strong>RN</strong>A is naturally degraded, like all other m<strong>RN</strong>A your body uses perpetually. The currently available vaccines are manufactured by Pfizer and Moderna. Both require two doses to achieve maximal immunity, with the second dose of Pfizer at 3 – 6 weeks and Moderna at 4 – 6 weeks. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines both have demonstrated an approximate 95% efficacy in preventing illness, and in clinical studies, the prevention of death or severe disease in 100% of recipients. The safety profile has been very reassuring, with most side effects consisting of transient arm soreness or a short period of constitutional symptoms (muscle aches, fatigue and sometimes fever). The worst side effects noted to date are anaphylactic reactions, which are exceeding rare (~5 per 1 million) and seen mostly in people with a known history of anaphylaxis to a medication. Deaths noted after vaccination have all been consistent with the expected death rate in the population, a phenomenon not unexpected given the large number of doses and the focus on older, sicker patients. No deaths have been attributed to the vaccine. Within the next several weeks, we anticipate FDA review of a single dose vaccine produced by Johnson & Johnson (J&J). This vaccine uses a different technology but a similar strategy. The J&J vaccine uses an adenovirus vector (benign cold virus) to deliver COVID spike protein m<strong>RN</strong>A to cells. Immunity is generated in a similar manner as with m<strong>RN</strong>A vaccines, with cellularly manufactured spike protein generating a natural complement of immunity. This vaccine has the advantage of being a single dose immunization. Although clinical trials demonstrate 100% efficacy in preventing hospitalization or death, efficacy in protecting against any symptomatic illness was approximately 70%. In <strong>Mississippi</strong>, as in most of the U.S., early vaccination efforts have targeted healthcare workers and older residents, especially those living in nursing homes or assisted living. Thus far over 40% of all <strong>Mississippi</strong>ans over 74 and over 34% of those over 64 have received at least one vaccine. Currently all healthcare workers, residents 65 plus, or those 16 – 64 with certain chronic medical issues are eligible in <strong>Mississippi</strong>. We are making amazing progress in our immunization efforts (see Figure). Over 320,000 <strong>Mississippi</strong>ans have received at least one dose and over 445,000 vaccinations have been provided. The greatest bottleneck has been vaccine availability, with demand far outstripping supply. It is critically important that all healthcare workers get vaccinated now, not just to protect ourselves but also those vulnerable patients who place their lives in our hands. Suboptimal uptake, especially among nursing home staff, seriously threatens the gains we have seen over the past weeks. For us to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic, we must simultaneously suppress transmission and broaden immunity through the wide availability of these effective vaccines. Even as vaccination successes grow, we must not be complacent. The emergence of new, more contagious variants might undermine our success in driving down cases and hospitalizations. Although no variants currently undermine the effectiveness of the m<strong>RN</strong>A vaccines, some have shown less responsiveness to some adenoviral vector vaccines (South African strain). To be most successful, we need to limit community transmission while ramping up our vaccination efforts, thereby depriving the virus the opportunity to mutate into more malevolent strains. To learn more, please visit: healthyms.com/covid or cdc.gov/covid Your Involvement Matters Alena Lester, DNP, AP<strong>RN</strong>, FNP-C, ONP-C MNA Director, Council on Health Affairs Spring brings renewal with many things, especially in the realm of politics and practice. MNA’s Legislative Summit is usually held each Spring, offering opportunities for local representatives to discuss current policies and bills that do or could potentially affect nursing practice. Unfortunately, this year is different for all of us, including your nursing organization. The annual Legislative Summit is cancelled this year. This cancellation follows MNA representative discussions with state universities regarding the increased stressors on faculty and students. These stressors have become a huge burden in the form of shortened semesters, rushed deadlines, COVID-19 safety/testing guidelines, and vaccination concerns for students as well as faculty and staff. For the safety and health of our State, this year MNA will offer recorded presentations from local representatives and board members addressing current policies and bills that may directly or indirectly affect nursing practice. Please look for these on the MNA website and Facebook page. One current policy concerning AP<strong>RN</strong> practice is of particular interest this year. During the 2020 House of Delegates, MNA Board members and delegates voted to pass a resolution supporting Full Practice Authority in the State of <strong>Mississippi</strong>. It’s critical for local representatives and patients to understand the importance of the removal of the “collaborative contract” between AP<strong>RN</strong>s and physicians. This contract is an antiquated requirement that has long surpassed its purpose. In fact, it has proven to be burdensome to access to health care for the residents of <strong>Mississippi</strong> and their health outcomes. Full Practice Authority does not call for any request of privileges outside the education or scope of practice for any ARPN. It simply allows AP<strong>RN</strong>s to practice to the full extent of their education and scope of practice without a written binding contract with a physician. I would like to encourage each reader/member of MNA to take the following steps to not only become more involved in their nursing organization, but to fully understand what it means to be an active member, nursing advocate, and an empowered nursing professional: 1. Reach out to your local representative. Request an appointment or offer an email discussing current policies that may affect nursing practice and how this could affect your profession. Get to know them. Thank them. Appreciate their time and effort in serving the residents of <strong>Mississippi</strong>. 2. Join the <strong>Mississippi</strong> Nurses’ Association and your national nursing organization. Sign up to attend a district meeting. Become involved. Broaden your understanding of what your nursing organization can do for you and your profession. 3. Join the MNA Political Action Committee (PAC). The MNA PAC offers you the opportunity to make your voice heard. It is used to generate funding for candidates who support nursing practice, propose bills that hope to change nursing practice burdens, improve patient outcomes, and provide platforms for nursing advocacy! 4. Advocate for change. Serve at the district level or consider serving on the MNA Board. Attend Legislative Summit, and <strong>RN</strong> and AP<strong>RN</strong> Day at the Capitol. Make your voice heard. Join MNA, contact your local representatives, become ACTIVE, and support your profession. Stay Healthy and Safe! Now Hiring in <strong>Mississippi</strong>! <strong>RN</strong>s and LPNs Tallahatchie Correctional Facility, Tutwiler, MS Work with a Family, Not Just a Team Contact Valerie Moreland, 520-262-5736 Valerie.Moreland@corecivic.com Easy Apply Online at jobs.corecivic.com Excellent Pay Rates! Tiered Pay Scale Based on Years of Nursing Experience Bilingual Bonus up to $5,000 CoreCivic is a Drug Free Workplace & EOE - M/F/Vets/Disabled.
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