What is long-haul COVID and who does it affect?

Long-haul COVID, or post-COVID syndrome, refers to persistent symptoms after an acute infection, including brain fog, heart problems, and lethargy. Surprisingly, it significantly affects younger individuals under 50, including teenagers and people in their 20s, even those who experienced mild initial symptoms and were not hospitalized.

How should death certificates mentioning COVID-19 be interpreted?

Dr. Seheult explains that a death certificate lists the most proximal cause of death, followed by underlying conditions. If COVID-19 causes pneumonia and then acute respiratory distress syndrome, those complications should be listed, with COVID-19 inciting them. The CDC's statistic that only 5% of death certificates mention only COVID-19 does not mean COVID-19 wasn't the primary cause; rather, it often directly caused other listed conditions like pneumonia or respiratory failure.

Is the spike protein in COVID-19 vaccines dangerous like the virus's spike protein?

Dr. Patrick clarifies that the spike protein in vaccines is structurally different from the SARS-CoV-2 viral spike protein. Vaccines contain a modified 'pre-fusion' spike protein that cannot elongate and fuse with cell membranes, unlike the viral version. Studies showing the danger of the viral spike protein do not apply to the vaccine's spike protein. Furthermore, natural infection exposes the body to thousands of viral spike proteins replicating throughout multiple organs, making the risk from infection much higher.

How reliable is the VAERS data for determining vaccine adverse events like deaths?

VAERS data must be interpreted carefully. Reporting requirements were expanded during the pandemic to include all serious adverse health events or deaths post-vaccination, even if causality is not suspected. Dr. Seheult demonstrates that the reported number of deaths in VAERS is significantly lower than the expected background death rate by chance alone for the vaccinated population, suggesting underreporting rather than a high rate of vaccine-related deaths. Scientists at the CDC and FDA analyze this data by stratifying it by age, gender, and ethnicity to identify genuine signals above background noise, as was done for myocarditis and blood clots.

Why is it concerning when people attribute a death or illness to the vaccine without scientific evidence?

It's human nature to connect proximate events, but medical decisions and public health policies must rely on epidemiological studies and statistics. While tragic individual cases can create hesitancy, broad conclusions require comparing reported events against expected background rates across large populations and ruling out confounding factors. Dr. Patrick points out that millions die daily from other causes unrelated to vaccines.

What is Antibody-Dependent Enhancement (ADE) and is it a concern with COVID-19 vaccines?

ADE occurs when antibodies bind to a virus but fail to neutralize it, instead enhancing the infection and causing more severe disease. This was a concern with an RSV vaccine in the 1960s. However, current COVID-19 vaccines are designed using a 'pre-fusion' spike protein, preventing the formation of 'post-fusion' antibodies linked to ADE. Real-world data from countries like Israel show unvaccinated individuals consistently have more severe COVID-19 cases, directly refuting ADE in vaccinated populations.

Do COVID-19 vaccines affect human fertility or pregnancy outcomes?

No, current data suggests COVID-19 vaccines do not negatively impact fertility or pregnancy outcomes. Phase three trials showed no significant differences in pregnancies or miscarriages between vaccinated and control groups. Follow-up studies, including one in the New England Journal of Medicine, confirmed miscarriage rates within the normal range. Studies have also found no effect on embryo implantation or male sperm parameters.

Are mRNA vaccines a type of gene therapy that alters our DNA?

No, mRNA vaccines are not gene therapy and do not alter our DNA. Dr. Patrick explains that DNA resides in the cell's nucleus, protected by a nuclear membrane. mRNA, lacking a nuclear localization sequence, cannot enter the nucleus. Additionally, it would need reverse transcriptase to become DNA and integrase to incorporate into our genome, neither of which are present from the vaccine. It's a protein-making technology, not a DNA-altering one.

Can Ivermectin effectively prevent or treat COVID-19, making vaccines unnecessary?

No, the available high-quality evidence does not support Ivermectin as a replacement for vaccines. While some in vitro studies showed efficacy at very high concentrations, human dosing results in much lower levels. Meta-analyses have shown moderate certainty for reduced death but low certainty for other benefits, often complicated by co-treatments and high parasitic infection rates in study populations. Sensationalizing Ivermectin's benefits without robust randomized controlled trials is misleading and dangerous, especially as it encourages unapproved veterinary forms.

Do COVID-19 vaccines stop the transmission of the Delta variant?

Vaccines still reduce overall transmission by preventing a percentage of infections. While initial viral loads in breakthrough infections can be similar to unvaccinated individuals, vaccinated people clear the virus faster. Real-time data shows vaccinated individuals have lower viral loads at any given time and are less likely to infect others. Therefore, vaccines reduce both overall and onward transmission, although efficacy against infection has decreased with the Delta variant compared to earlier strains.

Do vaccines cause selective pressure that makes the virus more deadly or virulent?

The selective pressure on viruses is primarily to become more transmissible, not more virulent (deadly). Although virulence can incidentally increase with transmissibility, viruses generally don't benefit from killing their hosts quickly. Unvaccinated individuals, who allow greater viral replication for longer periods, contribute more to the potential for new variants to emerge. There is no evidence of human vaccines causing more virulent strains; vaccine 'escape immunity' is a different phenomenon where variants evade vaccine-induced antibodies.

Why was the COVID-19 vaccine development process so fast compared to traditional timelines?

The process was accelerated but not rushed in terms of scientific rigor. Key steps like phase 1, 2, and 3 trials were not skipped but were run concurrently. Governments provided significant funding to remove financial risks for companies, allowing them to build manufacturing facilities while trials were ongoing. This mirrored wartime production efforts. Furthermore, mRNA technology is not new; it has been researched and clinically tested in humans for over 20 years for various applications, including other infectious diseases and cancer immunotherapy.

Are COVID-19 vaccines still effective against hospitalization and death with the Delta variant?

Yes. While the Delta variant has reduced vaccine efficacy in preventing infections, vaccines are still highly effective at preventing hospitalization and severe disease. Data from the UK's third (Delta) wave clearly shows a decoupling of infection rates from death rates compared to previous waves where vaccines were not widespread. This indicates vaccines are still holding up well in preventing the most severe outcomes, although some waning efficacy in the elderly or those vaccinated longest may necessitate boosters.

COVID-19 Vaccines and Ivermectin with MedCram and Dr. Roger Seheult

FoundMyFitness

Science & Technology5 min read144 min video

Sep 17, 2021|220,449 views|4,234|847

moderna vaccine pfizer vaccine coronavirus update ivermectin covid coronavirus latest delta variant vaccines covid delta moderna vaccine effectiveness pfizer vaccine side effect covid delta variant india covid delta vaccine roger seheult md medcram

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Key Moments

TL;DR

COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, with benefits outweighing risks, especially with the Delta variant. Concerns about side effects, fertility, and Ivermectin are addressed with scientific data.

Key Insights

The Delta variant poses a greater risk to younger individuals, increasing hospitalization rates compared to earlier strains.

COVID-19 infection carries a higher risk of severe outcomes like myocarditis and blood clots than vaccination.

The spike protein in vaccines is modified to remain in a pre-fusion conformation, unlike the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, mitigating certain risks.

VAERS data should be interpreted with caution, considering it's a reporting system for hypotheses, not definitive conclusions, and requires epidemiological analysis.

Current data suggests COVID-19 vaccines do not negatively impact fertility or pregnancy outcomes.

mRNA vaccine technology is not new and has been researched for decades, with accelerated development due to government support and manufacturing advancements.

While vaccines primarily prevent severe illness and hospitalization, they still offer some protection against infection and reduce overall transmission.

Ivermectin's efficacy for COVID-19 is not definitively proven; robust clinical trials are needed, and its use should not replace vaccination.

Viruses naturally evolve for transmissibility, not necessarily virulence, and vaccines can contribute to a multi-layered defense strategy (Swiss Cheese Model).

THE EVOLVING THREAT: DELTA VARIANT AND VACCINE NECESSITY

The discussion emphasizes the increased risk posed by the Delta variant, particularly for younger, healthy individuals. Dr. Roger Seheult shares personal ICU experiences illustrating severe cases in patients in their 20s and 30s, previously uncommon. Data from Virginia shows younger populations are now hospitalized at rates comparable to older demographics, largely due to higher vaccination rates in the elderly and lower rates in the young. This highlights that COVID-19 is no longer solely a threat to the elderly, and even a small percentage of severe outcomes can overwhelm healthcare systems.

RISK ASSESSMENT: COMPARING INFECTION VERSUS VACCINATION

The conversation directly addresses concerns about vaccine safety, particularly regarding myocarditis and pericarditis. Data from Israel, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, indicates that the risk of myocarditis is significantly higher following SARS-CoV-2 infection than after Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination. While acknowledging a small signal of post-vaccination myocarditis, the relative risk for infection is substantially greater. Similarly, blood clots and strokes are presented as more probable outcomes of COVID-19 infection, even in mild or asymptomatic cases, than from vaccination.

LONG COVID AND UNSEEN DAMAGE: THE VIRUS'S WIDER IMPACT

Beyond immediate hospitalization, the long-term effects of COVID-19, known as Long COVID, are discussed. Dr. Rhonda Patrick highlights findings from a UK Biobank study where preliminary MRI scans showed brain atrophy in individuals who had mild COVID-19, not requiring hospitalization. These changes were observed in regions associated with memory, learning, and olfaction, suggesting significant neurological consequences. This underscores that the virus can cause lasting damage even in younger populations, independent of the severity of the initial illness.

DECODING DEATH CERTIFICATES AND SPIKE PROTEIN CONCERNS

The interpretation of death certificate data is clarified: COVID-19 is often the underlying cause that leads to secondary conditions like pneumonia or ARDS, not always listed as the sole cause. This explains why only a small percentage mention COVID-19 exclusively. Regarding spike proteins, Dr. Patrick explains that vaccines use a modified, stabilized pre-fusion spike protein, distinct from the virus's fusion-competent spike protein. This crucial difference means studies on the virus's spike protein cannot be directly extrapolated to the vaccine's spike protein, alleviating concerns about direct cellular damage from the vaccine component.

INTERPRETING VAERS DATA AND THE SWISS CHEESE MODEL

The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) is critically examined. It's explained that VAERS is a reporting system for hypotheses, not proof of causation. Mandatory reporting for COVID-19 vaccines, expanded due to emergency use authorization, leads to a significantly higher number of reports compared to pre-pandemic reporting, without necessarily indicating increased adverse events per vaccinated person. Dr. Seheult uses epidemiological calculations to show that reported deaths are far below expected background mortality rates, suggesting underreporting rather than vaccine-induced deaths. The 'Swiss Cheese Model' is introduced, advocating for multiple layers of protection, including vaccination, masks, and healthy lifestyle choices, rather than relying on a single measure.

FERTILITY, GENE THERAPY RUMORS, AND IVERMECTIN DEBATE

Concerns about vaccine impact on fertility are addressed with data from Phase III trials and subsequent studies showing no statistically significant differences in pregnancy or miscarriage rates between vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. The claim that mRNA vaccines are gene therapy is debunked by explaining that mRNA does not enter the cell's nucleus and lacks the necessary enzymes (reverse transcriptase, integrase) to alter DNA. The discussion on Ivermectin highlights that while some in vitro studies showed promise, human clinical trials lack robust evidence of efficacy, especially when used alone. Over-reliance on observational or poorly designed studies is cautioned against, emphasizing the need for high-quality randomized controlled trials.

TRANSMISSION DYNAMICS AND THE T-CELL IMMUNE RESPONSE

The impact of the Delta variant on vaccine effectiveness against infection is acknowledged, but data still shows significant protection against hospitalization. Studies indicate that while peak viral loads might be similar in breakthrough infections, vaccinated individuals tend to clear the virus faster, suggesting reduced transmission. Furthermore, a study from the Netherlands indicated that viral particles shed from vaccinated individuals are less likely to be infectious. The importance of T-cell responses is underscored, as they provide protection against severe disease even when antibody levels wane or viral mutations lead to immune escape.

THE ACCELERATED DEVELOPMENT OF VACCINES AND FUTURE POTENTIAL

The perception of rushed vaccine development is addressed by explaining that while the timeline was accelerated, no steps were skipped. Government funding and risk mitigation (e.g., building factories while trials were ongoing) removed financial barriers. The mRNA technology itself is not new, with research dating back to the 1990s and numerous human trials conducted since 2001 for various therapeutic applications. This accelerated development, spurred by the pandemic, has opened doors for mRNA technology to potentially treat other diseases like cancer and genetic disorders.

Mentioned in This Episode

●Supplements

●Products

●Companies

●Organizations

●Books

●Studies Cited

●Concepts

●People Referenced

COVID-19 Risks: SARS-CoV-2 Infection vs. Pfizer Vaccine (per 100,000 persons)

Data extracted from this episode

Condition	Risk Difference (SARS-CoV-2 Infection)	Risk Difference (Pfizer Vaccine)
Acute kidney injury	150	0
Arrhythmia	166	0
Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT)	50	0
Pulmonary embolism	50	0
Myocardial infarction (heart attack)	25	0
Myocarditis/Pericarditis	15	3-5
Lymphadenopathy	0	78

Comparative Reported Deaths from VAERS vs. Expected Background Deaths (USA)

Data extracted from this episode

Population	Vaccinated Individuals (approx.)	Observed VAERS Deaths (approx.)	Expected Deaths by Chance (3.5 months average)
General US Population	166 million	5,000-15,000	421,000

COVID-19 Mortality Rates: Infection vs. Vaccination by Age Group (USA Data)

Data extracted from this episode

Age Group	COVID-19 Deaths (approx.)	VAERS Deaths (approx.)	Likelihood of COVID-19 Death vs. Vaccine Death
50 and older	584,000	5,000 (x3 reported = 15,000)	40 times more likely from COVID-19
40-49 years old	20,000	200 (x3 reported = 600)	33 times more likely from COVID-19
18-39 years old	10,000	200 (x3 reported = 600)	17 times more likely from COVID-19

Vaccine Efficacy Against Delta Variant (July 2021 Data)

Data extracted from this episode

Vaccine Type	Efficacy Against Infection (Pre-Delta)	Efficacy Against Infection (Delta)	Efficacy Against Hospitalization (Delta)
Pfizer	88-93%	41%	80-97%
Moderna	N/A	77%	80-97%

Common Questions

Dr. Seheult, a critical care intensivist, indicates that with the Delta variant, younger populations are being hospitalized at much higher rates than previously seen. Many young, unvaccinated patients in critical care units have few comorbidities. The risk of serious outcomes like hospitalization and long-haul COVID is significantly higher for young people with the Delta variant than with previous strains or the flu. Therefore, vaccines are increasingly relevant for this demographic.

Topics

COVID-19 Vaccines Delta Variant Vaccine Efficacy Myocarditis VAERS Spike Protein MRNA Technology Viral Transmission

Mentioned in this video

conceptDelta variant

A variant of SARS-CoV-2 that has rewritten understanding of COVID-19, causing higher hospitalization rates in younger populations and affecting vaccine efficacy for infection prevention.

drugPfizer-BioNTech vaccine

An mRNA COVID-19 vaccine discussed for its relative risks, including lymphadenopathy and a small signal for myocarditis and pericarditis.

supplementPolyethylene glycol (PEG)

A component of mRNA vaccines, part of the lipid nanoparticle formulation.

personJason McLellan

A structural biologist at the University of Texas in Austin, credited for brilliant work in locking viral proteins into the pre-fusion conformation for vaccine development, preventing antibody-dependent enhancement.

studyPfizer safety study (rodents)

A study where rats were given a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine dose 10 times higher than humans, resulting in lipid nanoparticles with mRNA being found in other organs to a small degree, but not at human-equivalent doses in mice.

personVicki Male

A reproductive immunologist who maintains a Twitter account with updated data on pregnancy, breastfeeding, and fertility in relation to vaccines.

personRoger Seheult

Quadruple board-certified physician with teaching appointments at University of California Riverside and Loma Linda University School of Medicine, and co-founder of MedCram.

studyAmerican Society for Reproductive Medicine study

A study published in June that found neither SARS-CoV-2 infection nor COVID-19 vaccination affected embryo implantation.

productB-24 Liberator

A large four-engine plane produced at an accelerated rate by Ford during World War II, used as an analogy for rapid vaccine development.

organizationMedCram

A medical education platform co-founded by Dr. Roger Seheult, known for critically interpreting COVID-19 studies and breaking down complex medical science.

drugNovavax vaccine

A protein-based COVID-19 vaccine, mentioned in the context of containing the pre-fusion spike protein.

drugDexamethasone

An immunosuppressant medication, mentioned in the context of its use in hospitals for COVID-19 patients, which could potentially activate clinically silent parasitic infections.

organizationFoundMyFitness

A popular website and YouTube channel founded by Dr. Rhonda Patrick, known for its focus on science-backed health and immunity information.

conceptLong-haul COVID (Post-COVID syndrome)

Post-COVID syndrome characterized by lingering symptoms like brain fog, heart problems, and lethargy, affecting younger people and sometimes even those with mild initial infections.

drugModerna vaccine

An mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, given in 30 micrograms for human doses, and shown to have reduced efficacy against Delta variant infection but high efficacy against hospitalization.

conceptSARS-CoV-2 infection

The virus causing COVID-19, discussed in terms of its risks for acute kidney injury, arrhythmia, deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction, and myocarditis.

drugFluvoxamine

An antidepressant medication currently being studied in clinical trials for its potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in treating COVID-19.

drugAstraZeneca vaccine

A COVID-19 vaccine largely used in European countries like the UK, included in studies on viral load and transmission.

personKyle Allred

Host of the discussion and co-founder of MedCram.

drugCOVID-19 mRNA vaccines

Vaccines that use messenger RNA technology to instruct cells to produce spike protein, leading to an immune response; designed to present the spike protein in its pre-fusion conformation.

conceptAntibody-Dependent Enhancement (ADE)

A phenomenon where antibodies generated by a vaccine or prior infection non-functionally bind to a pathogen, leading to an exacerbated immune response and more severe disease, notably seen with an RSV vaccine in the 1960s.

studyTOGETHER trial (Brazil)

A platform study in Brazil designed to rapidly assess the efficacy of repurposed medications for COVID-19, which has stopped trials for several drugs but continues to study ivermectin and fluvoxamine.

studyREACT study (UK)

A real-time data aggregation study from the UK that found vaccinated individuals in breakthrough cases had lower viral loads at any given time compared to unvaccinated individuals.

drugLopinavir/Ritonavir

An antiretroviral medication combination, studied in platforms like the TOGETHER trial, which was stopped because it did not find any improvement in COVID-19 outcomes.

drugAzithromycin

An antibiotic often co-administered with Ivermectin in some studies, complicating the assessment of Ivermectin's individual efficacy.

personWilliam S. Knudsen

President of General Motors who, during World War II, coordinated the infrastructure plan to build the war machine for the United States, illustrating how accelerated production can be achieved with governmental support.

organizationMayo Clinic

A large US study involving 25,000 vaccinated and unvaccinated people, which found reduced vaccine efficacy against Delta variant infection but high efficacy against hospitalization.

supplementHydroxychloroquine

supplementIvermectin