Health and Safety

Plessen Healthcare is pleased to announce that as of Wednesday, September 22, 2021, the Plessen Vaccine Center has begun to offer booster shots of the Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty) mRNA vaccine to the following groups:

• Patients who are 65 years of age and older
• Healthcare workers
• First Responders

Only patients who received the Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty) vaccine are eligible for booster vaccines at the Plessen Vaccine Center at this time.

The Pfizer-BioNTech received full FDA approval in patients aged 16 and older on August 23, 2021, and is now commercially known as the Comirnaty vaccine. The vaccine continues to be approved via emergency use authorization (EUA) in children aged 12 through 15 years.

When Can I get a COVID-19 Vaccine Booster?

Booster shots are administered at least 6 months following your second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty) vaccine.

Where Can I Get the Booster Shot?

Patients who fit the criteria above can proceed to the Plessen COVID-19 Vaccine Center located in the Sunny Isles Annex next to the Social Security office and across from the WAPA Business Office. Vaccines are administered Monday through Friday from 8 am to Noon. No appointment is necessary.

Why Do I need a Booster Dose?

While the COVID-19 vaccination remains the most effective way to reduce the risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death, public health experts have seen a reduction in protection against mild to moderate disease as a result of the highly contagious Delta variant.

A booster shot will help to increase your immune response and thus maintain a higher level of protection against variants of the COVID-19 virus, including Delta.

Can I get the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine booster if I received the one-dose Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen (J&J/Janssen) vaccine?

No. The one-dose Janssen vaccine (Johnson & Johnson) uses a different technology and is not an mRNA vaccine. At this time there is not enough data to support combining vaccines. Boosters of the Janssen vaccine will likely be available in the near future. Plessen Healthcare follows the vaccine protocols set forth by the CDC and the US Virgin Islands Department of Health.

What is the Difference Between Boosters vs. Additional Third Dose?

Some patients who are moderately to severely immunocompromised may not develop enough (or any) protection when they get a vaccination. For this reason, it may be advised for those patients to receive a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty) or Moderna mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 28 days following their second dose.

If you have questions regarding whether or not you should receive a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccination, please contact your healthcare provider to discuss.

Plessen continues to administer a third dose vaccine to patients who are immunocompromised. Patients who may be immunocompromised due to illness or medication, will need to present a prescription from their healthcare provider for the third shot.

For further information on COVID-19 vaccination boosters, please refer to The CDC’s “COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shot” information page: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html

To learn more about the COVID-19 Vaccine including myths and misconceptions visit: https://plessenhealthcare.com/myths-facts-covid-19-vaccines/

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At Plessen Healthcare, our multidisciplinary team is committed to providing the highest quality of care for our patients. We work to improve clinical outcomes through educating, empowering, and guiding every individual on their health care journey and providing an experience that improves the quality of life and well-being. We call this the “Plessen Way”.  Sign Up for Plessen News & Healthcare Tips

As the Delta variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus commonly known as COVID-19 continues to spread, vaccination against the COVID-19 virus has become even more important. We know that there is a lot of confusion, misinformation, and questions regarding the virus and the vaccine, so we want you to know facts About COVID-19 and the vaccines. We have compiled answers based on the available science. Plessen Healthcare encourages all persons aged 5 and older to be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus.

Vaccines help to introduce a small piece of COVID-19’s material into our bodies. This allows our immune system to develop a fighting mechanism against the virus, antibodies. When your body has an immune response at the ready, it helps you fight off the virus when you may be exposed to it.

When more people in our community are vaccinated or have recovered from the virus, we begin to develop population immunity. This makes it harder for the disease to spread and can protect those who may not be able to get vaccinated, like young children and newborns or those allergic to a vaccine.

The federal government continues to provide the vaccine free of charge to all people living in the United States, regardless of their immigration or health insurance status. Vaccines are available for free at COVID-19 Vaccine Center in Sunny Isles on St Croix, US Virgin Islands.

Find a vaccine location near you https://www.vaccines.gov/

If you have questions or concerns regarding the COVID-19 vaccination, have an underlying medical condition, or are taking medicines that weaken your immune system, we recommend that you reach out to your medical care provider. New and existing Plessen Healthcare patients are encouraged to call us at 340-715-7720 for an appointment or to set up a Telehealth visit via phone or video application.

Key Takeaways

• The Delta variant is currently the most predominant strain in the United States with more than 83% of cases confirmed as Delta.
• Delta has been confirmed in the United States Virgin Islands as of July 2021
• The Delta variant is as contagious as chicken pox, and far more contagious than the flu and colds
• Vaccinated and Unvaccinated individuals can both get the virus and transmit the virus.
• Unvaccinated person are 3 times more likely to catch the virus and 10 times more likely to have severe illness requiring hospitalization and possibly death.
• Vaccination remains the most important strategy to prevent severe illness and death.
• Masks should continue to be worn in indoor public settings and at large gatherings regardless of vaccination status to prevent the transmission of COVID-19.

What is the Delta variant?

A variant is a mutation of the originally identified “wild” virus. Variants of the COVID-19 virus have been named using the Greek alphabet. The official designation of the Delta variant first identified in India is B.1.617.2 – Delta is much easier to say. The first variant of the COVID-19 virus, originally identified in the UK is known as Alpha.

From our understanding of the current data, the Delta variant is one of the most contagious known viruses. It is as contagious as measles and chickenpox and far more contagious than the flu or colds. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that unvaccinated individuals are ten times more likely to develop severe infections requiring hospitalization or resulting in death than vaccinated individuals.

The Delta variant is currently the most predominant strain in the United States with more than 83% of cases confirmed as Delta. It has been confirmed in the United States Virgin Islands as of July 2021.

Doesn’t EUA mean the FDA has not approved the vaccines?

Not exactly. The vaccines available in the United States, Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Janssen, are authorized for use by the Federal Food & Drug Administration (FDA) under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). Emergency Use Authorization involves thorough evaluation and is only given when the product has shown through trial to be effective, and the potential benefits far outweigh the risks “as demonstrated by data from at least one well-designed Phase 3 clinical trial that demonstrates the vaccine’s safety and efficacy in a clear and compelling manner”, stated an FDA official.

This was the case with the COVID-19 global pandemic. Data shows that vaccines have been effective at slowing down the transmission of the virus where vaccines have been readily accessible, and they have been administered to high percentages of the population.

Why Hasn’t the FDA Approved the Vaccines Yet?

It typically takes at least 10 months for a vaccine or drug to be fully approved by the FDA. This entails a strict, thorough, and time-consuming process that involves submitting hundreds of pages of reports, including preclinical and clinical data, information about the manufacturing processes and facilities, vaccine safety reports, adverse reactions, side effects, and more. After all the required reports have been submitted, it takes an average of six months for FDA officials to review the documentation and data, inspect manufacturing plants, and then approve the drug.

While an EUA is not an FDA approval, the EUA status is only given by the FDA after thorough scientific evaluation. This assures the medical community that the vaccines meet rigorous standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality.

On July 16, 2021, The FDA formally accepted the Biologics License Application (BLA) for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine. Full FDA approval is anticipated for early Fall 2021 based on the request and a rolling approval process that began with the EUA in December 2020.

Learn more about The Path for a COVID-19 Vaccine from Research to EUA

How did they come up with the Vaccine so quickly?

The study of the COVID-19 virus is unique in that it caused a global pandemic shutting down countries around the world. This resulted in scientists worldwide focused on a common goal, combatting the virus, and sharing information. It also led to unprecedented funding for the research and development of the vaccine.

While mRNA vaccines are a new type of vaccine to protect against infectious diseases, the technology used in their development has been around for decades. Scientists at Moderna, BioNTech, and Pfizer have been studying RNA in relation to medicine and vaccines since 2005. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) have been researching coronavirus biology and vaccine development since 2014. With the global outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020, scientists were able to apply this existing research and technology to develop vaccines more quickly against the COVID-19 virus.

Janssen Pharmaceutica, a Belgium-based division of Johnson & Johnson, has been studying the use of Adenoviruses to deliver pieces of viral material for decades. They recently received approval for the general use of an Ebola vaccine using this technology. They are also running trials on other adenovirus-based vaccines against H.I.V. and Zika.

Learn more about Vaccine Development

Will the Vaccine Change My DNA?

No. The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines that contain genetic material contain mRNA. mRNA, or Messenger RNA, is a fragile genetic material that instructs your body to create various proteins.

In the case of COVID-19 vaccines, the mRNA comes from a piece of protein from one of the spikes on the coronavirus. The mRNA from the spike proteins causes an immune response in your body which results in your body producing antibodies. This is similar to what happens with natural infection. With these antibodies now present in your body, if you are exposed to the COVID-19 virus, your body can begin to fight off the virus immediately.

mRNA delivered by the vaccine never enters the nucleus of the cell, which is where our DNA (genetic material) is stored. After your body uses the mRNA from the vaccine to create antibodies, your cells break down the mRNA and get rid of it.

Learn more about mRNA vaccines

Will the Vaccine Give me COVID-19?

No. While some vaccines include weakened versions of a virus to promote an immune response, the COVID-19 vaccines do not. COVID-19 vaccines do not contain the COVID-19 virus. They contain only pieces of spike protein from the virus to activate an immune response. mRNA vaccines cannot give you the virus.

In the case of the Janssen vaccine, the gene for the spike protein is placed inside an Adenovirus (Adenovirus 26). Adenoviruses are common and infections typically result in colds or flu-like symptoms. The Janssen vaccine cannot give you the COVID-19 virus.

Is the Vaccine Safe for My Teen?

With the rise of the Delta variant on St Croix, we have seen that the COVID-19 virus can have severely affect children in the same way as adults. Currently, the only proven factor in reducing the transmission, severe illness, and death of the COVID-19 is through vaccination.

As of July 2021, only the Pfizer vaccine is approved in patients aged 12 and older. Plessen Healthcare recommends COVID-19 vaccination for teens. At this time, we have seen very few reactions in teens vaccinated at the Plessen COVID-19 Vaccine Center on St Croix.

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At Plessen Healthcare, our multidisciplinary team is committed to providing the highest quality of care for our patients. We work to improve clinical outcomes through educating, empowering, and guiding every individual on their health care journey and providing an experience that improves the quality of life and well-being. We call this the “Plessen Way”.  Sign Up for Plessen News & Healthcare Tips

Use sunscreen daily to help prevent against premature aging and skin cancers 

Though we enjoy beautiful sunny weather year-round in the U.S. Virgin Islands, as the summer months approach, the sun’s rays are even stronger due to the Earth’s tilt. It’s a good time to take stock of your skincare practices, take an inventory of your sunscreen, and commit to practicing safe sun prevention. 

 There are four main forms of skin cancer:  Basal cell carcinoma, Squamous cell carcinoma, Merkel cell cancer, and Melanoma. Approximately 1% of skin cancers are classified as melanoma. However, melanoma accounts for most skin cancer deaths. People with lighter complexions are at the most risk of developing skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, whites are 20 times more likely to develop melanoma than African Americans. The lifetime risks of developing melanoma break down to 2.6% (1 in 38) for whites; 0.1% (1 in 1,000) for African Americans; and 0.6% (1 in 167) for Latinx.  Source: American Cancer Society 

Skin cancer can develop in anyone of any age or race. It’s important to keep an eye on any moles or pigmented areas on your skin for irregularities or changes.  

To help you spot skin cancer early, when it’s most treatable, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends that everyone learn the ABCDEs of melanoma: 

• A is for Asymmetry: One half of the mole does not match the other half. 
• B is for Border irregularity: The edges are ragged, notched, or blurred. 

• C is for Color that varies from one area to another. 
• D is for Diameter: While melanomas are usually greater than 6mm (the size of a pencil eraser) when diagnosed, they can be smaller. 
• E is for Evolving: A mole or skin lesion that looks different from the rest or is changing in size, shape, or color. 

Regular use of sun protection can help to prevent premature aging and reduce the risk of skin cancers. 

Sunscreen comes in two different forms: Physical blockers that deflect the sun’s ultraviolet rays like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide and Chemical blockers that the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Some of the chemicals typically used in sunscreens have raised concerns, though there is currently no clinical evidence that shows they are harmful to humans. The risks of sun exposure developing into skin cancer are well known and thus regular use of sunscreen is recommended. 

The recommended amount of sunscreen to use for an adult is approximately a shot glass–sized amount for the body and a teaspoonful for your face. 

Tips for Choosing Sunscreen and Protecting Your Skin 

• Choose Reef Safe Sunscreen. It’s the law in the USVI. Chemicals in regular sunscreen have been shown to cause significant damage to our delicate coral reefs. You don’t have to wear chemical sunscreen in the ocean to have an effect. Runoff from showering off sunscreen eventually ends up in our waters. 
• Choose a “Broad Spectrum” Sunscreen. This means that it filters out both UVA and UVB sun rays. 
• Choose SPF 30 or higher: The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that you select a sunscreen with an SPF rating of 30 or higher. 
• Water Resistant. Whenever possible choose a sunscreen that says that it is “water-resistant” which means it will stay sticky on sweaty skin or while you swim. Remember that even water-resistant sunscreen should be reapplied every 40-80 minutes. 
• Check for expiration. Sunscreens are required by the FDA to last for at least 3 years. Some sunscreens include an expiration date on the bottle. If yours doesn’t, use an indelible marker or label to mark the date of purchase on the bottle. You should be using your sunscreen liberally and often enough that it gets used up well before the three-year mark. 
• Wear a hat, sunglasses and regularly apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Reapply at least every two hours. 
• Avoid sitting in the direct sunlight. Whenever possible, choose a shady spot or carry a beach tent with you for cover. Try to avoid the direct sun for especially from 10 am to 4 pm. 
• Wear UV filtering clothing and hats. Choose rash guards and other clothing with at least 38-40 UPF (UPF = Ultraviolet Protection Factor) 

Prevention is the best cure. However, if you notice something irregular or concerning on your skin, be sure to have it checked out right away by a medical professional. Plessen’s Urgent Care is available seven days a week or you can make an appointment with your Primary Care Physician at Plessen Medical Center for evaluation. 

Disclaimer: 

Plessen Healthcare, LLC provides articles in our online library related to current health and wellness topics. Please make note of the date of the article or update as health information can change with updated science. Regardless of the date, no content on this site should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or another qualified clinician.