BY ANDY GARDNER

North Country This Week

CANTON – St. Lawrence County’s Board of Health president offered five of what he described as compelling reasons to get vaccinated for those undecided or hesitant to the COVID-19 vaccine.

Dr. Andrew Williams spoke during the Monday, May 3 Board of Legislators meeting.

He said the county is making good progress with overall vaccination numbers. He said that availability and access aren’t the biggest obstacles to herd immunity. It’s hesitancy.

He said the risk of complications from the coronavirus is far greater than complications from the vaccine, which are mild to moderate and generally wane in a day or so.

The vaccine, Dr. Williams said, leaves the body after 72 hours, whereas the virus can stay in one’s system for up to three months. He said the vaccine also does not change one’s DNA. It sends a message to cells near the injection site to create a spike protein, which the body’s immune system uses to create antibodies.

The doctor said 95% of medical doctors, both in St. Lawrence County and nationwide, “reviewed the evidence and decided ourselves to get vaccinated.” 

If enough people get vaccinated, the population reaches what’s called “herd immunity,” meaning society at large can reopen and people can avoid “crippling social isolation.”

He said a recent study suggests “if we successfully reach herd immunity, we can save about 125,000 American lives.”

The final reason, Dr. Williams said, is what’s called “Long Hauler Syndrome” or “Post-COVID Syndrome.” That’s when people who catch and survive the illness experience new or worsened chronic medical conditions, such as heart trouble, diabetes and neurological or mental health conditions.

He pointed to two other studies, one of which was conducted by Washington University School of Medicine study on veterans. He said part of that study showed participants had a 60% increased risk of death over the six months post-infection compared to the general population.

The other study, conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Georgia, looked at patients between one and six months following a COVID-19 diagnoses who were not hospitalized because of it.

“Two out of three of these people in the period of time ... required some kind of medical attentions, often for a brand new problem,” he said.

First dose vaccinations for Pfizer will be ending at the SUNY Potsdam Mass Vaccination Site on Friday, May 7. They still have numerous appointments available daily until that time. Appointments can be made by visiting https://am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/ Walk-ins are also being accepted. Beginning May 8, the SUNY Potsdam site will be offering the Johnson & Johnson vaccine on a walk-in basis.

Coronavirus vaccinations are offered at clinics, with more information available at https://www.stlawco.org/covid-19-daily-update-center#pods

If you or someone you know is homebound and is interested in receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, call Public Health at 315-386-2325.

To be added to a contact call list when appointments become available, go to https://stlawco.org/Departments/PublicHealth/CovidContactList

COVID-19 testing is done through local hospital systems by appointment only. Call the numbers below between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. if you have symptoms or feel you should be tested:

St. Lawrence Health System: 315-261-6240

Claxton Hepburn Medical Center: 315-713-6655

Clifton-Fine Hospital: 315-848-8049

Community Health Center of the North Country in Canton: 315-379-8132

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