The tendency for some Covid 19 patients, even those with very minor symptoms of illness, to have recurrent sypmtoms for many months after their illness is so common now that medical science has given it a new name - PASC Persistent Acute Sequelea of SARS Cov-2 PASC

Published reports say as many as 30 to 50% of recovering patients may report brain fog, GI symptoms, mental health issues, loss of smell or taste, shortness of breath, and other symptoms for many months.

Trending Clinical Topic: PASCAs questions about the condition continue, a new acronym for what has been called "long COVID" was recently introduced and is this week's top trending clinical topic.reference.medscape.com

But there is also encouraging news that vaccination for Covid 19, with the mRNA vaccine, seems to help decrease or removes symptoms of PASC

Some With Long COVID See Relief After VaccinationAdvocacy groups and physicians see symptoms improve after vaccination of patients with long-lasting COVID-19.www.medscape.com

Those patients with long term symptoms have been also called "long haulers" and the Washington Post has an article today reporting help with symptoms in patients who are vaccinated.

Some long-haul covid-19 patients say their symptoms are subsiding after getting vaccinesLittle is known about the people who suffer debilitating symptoms for months, and even less about why the vaccine may be helping somewww.washingtonpost.com

Interesting articles, and encouraging news for long haulers, or folks with PASC.

One more reason to give serious consideration to getting vaccinated for Sars Cov 2.

Anyone thinking that having had Sars Cov 2 infection, proven Covid 19, gives them immunity to reinfection is destined to be a bit disappointed, as a Danish study reports that there is only about an 80% level of protection for most folks and barely 47% infection for folks over 65 years of age post Covid 19 - as opposed to almost 97 % prolonged immunity to infection by Sars Cov 2 after the mRNA vaccine two injection series. The level of immunity/safety becomes even more important with the more infectious, more lethal variants stalking the world.

COVID-19 Virus Reinfections Rare, but Riskiest After Age 65Researchers in Denmark report the first large-scale study on SARS-CoV-2 reinfection rates, adding evidence to previous anecdotal reports.www.medscape.com

That right there is heartening information!

I received my second Pfizer shot 22 hours ago; so far only mild ache in the arm and a couple hours of feeling "unwell" overnight. It was disappointing however that the vaccination site was not busy at all. Lines were short and wait times minimal. It is difficult to understand why everyone is not clamoring for this life-saving and economy-restoring modern miracle.

I hope you're feeling back to normal quickly, as my wife and I experienced.

And NOW this -

EU regulator declares AstraZeneca vaccine safe, but experts fear damage has been doneThe European Union's medicines regulator has concluded that the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine is safe to use after several EU countries suspended their rollouts following reports that it could be linked to blood clots.www.cnn.com

Note at the bottom of the above page, the graphic displaying how many countries have been using the AZN vaccine

And remember the AstraZeneca vaccine was developed in the UK, but manufactured in the EU, and that might contribute to some political issues.....

Jan. 30, 2021 vaccine and world newsThe coronavirus pandemic has brought countries to a standstill. Meanwhile, vaccinations have already started in some countries as cases continue to rise. Follow here for the latest.www.cnn.com

Note that slowing the rate of vaccination for large populations can potentially lead to fatal consequences from Covid 19........

AZN's vaccine has several advantages over other vaccines in affordability, storage, and distribution. It is significantly cheaper, does not require deep freeze storage like the Pfizer vaccine, and it is easily transported, and these advantages are very important in much of the world. No - 70ªC freezers needed

AstraZeneca's Covid vaccine might seem less effective than its peers - but it has some advantagesAstraZeneca's vaccine appears to have an advantage when it comes to storage, affordability and distribution, Jefferies analysts said.www.cnbc.com

And much of it is actually made in the EU too -

AstraZeneca COVID vaccine's complex EU supply chain | DW | 02.02.2021The firm has blamed production woes in the EU for not delivering as many doses of its COVID vaccine as it had promised. These are some of the companies involved in the production of the AstraZeneca vaccine in the EU.www.dw.com

The vaccines are medical miracles for most of us, but for publically elected "federal" officials, they have the potential to affect their careers as well........

If there is ever a time for elected officials to look beyond politics and devote their efforts to "the common good" it would seem to be when facing a global pandemic. Scientists and public health experts have provided the tools needed to "put this behind us" and "open our countries again" but officials are bending to political winds instead of illuminating a clear path forward.

I’m getting my vaccine today even though I am pretty sure I got it last year. Reading this makes me feel better about getting the vaccine. Thanks for sharing!

Just as I have been suspecting for a while -

Once again the experts are trying to limit enthusiasm - but really, the fact is that the vaccine are incredibly effective at preventing Covid disease, and most likely, transmission as well.

Underselling the VaccineAnd what else you need to know today.www.nytimes.com