COVID-19 Vaccine Roundtable Discussion
E. David Crawford, MD, Professor of Urology at UC San Diego and Editor-in-Chief of Grand Rounds in Urology, interviews Alan H. Bryce, MD, Medical Director of the Genomic Oncology Clinic at Mayo Clinic Arizona in Scottsdale, and Neil H. Baum, MD, Professor of Urology at Tulane Medical School, about the COVID-19 vaccine—how it works, its safety, and possible side effects. Currently, Pfizer and Moderna have each created a vaccine for the novel coronavirus, both of which are mRNA vaccines containing code for the protein found within the virus. Dr. Bryce describes how this portion of RNA causes cells to synthesize what is known as a “spike protein,” which then stimulates an immune response. He observes that side effects are typically mild and similar to what one could expect with a standard flu vaccine, notwithstanding rare, severe reactions. Dr. Baum then addresses the psychological manifestations associated with COVID-19, such as anxiety, fear of contracting or spreading the disease, PTSD, depression, and even suicide. It is important to note that these symptoms are also associated with burnout which, within the medical community, impacts urologists to a greater degree. Dr. Baum warns that the stress of being a frontline worker, decreases in income, and the shift from in-person to telehealth appointments and related “Zoom fatigue” may further increase burnout among urologists.
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