Answers to Your Questions About COVID19 Vaccinations

Answers to Your Questions About COVID19 Vaccinations

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Bonjour,

I am Valérie Allusson, Chief Medical Officer at Mountainside Medical Center and a member of the Board of Directors here at the YMCA of Montclair. Thank you to everyone who submitted questions on our “Ask the Doctor” portal. Today, I am answering questions from our community about COVID-19 vaccine contraindications, or conditions where one should not receive the vaccine due to risk of harm

1. I had Guillain-Barre I believe as a result of taking the swine flu shot many years ago. I am extremely afraid any other flu shot might cause a similar reaction and therefore have not taken any shots since then. What is your opinion, please, on my possibly taking the Covid vaccine in light of this information?

I understand your concern as Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) can be very scary and debilitating. To date, no cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) have been reported following vaccination among participants in the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials (Pfizer and Moderna trials). I advise you to speak to your primary care physician to make the decision that is best for you.

It is known that there is a low or negligible risk of re-developing GSB after a flu shot. While there is a small risk of GBS associated with influenza vaccination, if you have had GBS, carefully discuss the pros and cons of the flu vaccine with your doctor.

2. Should babies be vaccinated?

The COVID-19 vaccines have only be tested on non-pregnant adults. At this time it is not recommended to vaccinate any children under 16 years of age. We will need to wait for separate clinical trials studying children’s responses to the vaccines. In addition, adults are at a much higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 illness than children.

3. I have an allergy to the flu vaccine. I was wondering if I can get the Covid vaccine? It is not a contra-indication to receive COVID 19 vaccine. It is however a precaution and you should speak to your primary care physician. Your physician will counsel you about the potential risks of developing a severe allergic reaction and balance these risks against the benefits of vaccination. Deferral of vaccination and/or consultation with an allergist-immunologist may be considered.

CDC considers a history of the following to be a contraindication to vaccination with both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines:

  • Severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) after a previous dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine or any of its components
  • Immediate allergic reaction of any severity to a previous dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine or any of its components (including polyethylene glycol [PEG])
  • Immediate allergic reaction of any severity to polysorbate (due to potential cross-reactive hypersensitivity with the vaccine ingredient PEG)

I invite you to continue sending questions regarding health your interest here. I look forward to answering your questions.

Thank you and stay well,

Valérie Allusson, M.D.

YMCA of Montclair Plans Open House For Early Learning Center

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A Virtual Open House has been rescheduled for Thursday, February 25 at 6:30pm for families to learn more about the Geyer Family YMCA Early Learning Center. Families with children 3 months to 4 years old are encouraged to attend. Attendees will be able to virtually tour the facility, meet teachers, and ask questions.

The Geyer Family YMCA Early Learning Center offers affordable childcare. Capacity and certain activities like language and swim will be limited while COVID guidelines are in place. The YMCA Early Learning Center strictly follows public health and CDC guidelines for childcare.

The Center features:

-Experienced, nurturing staff
-Large, bright, and open classrooms
-Full gymnasium and on-site warm pool (pool is temporarily closed due to COVID)
-Open year-round; 7:30 am-6:00 pm Mon-Fri
-Staff background checks and secure entrance
-Inclusive environment with respect for cultural diversity
-Coming Soon in 2021: Outdoor inclusive playground.

The YMCA Early Learning Center utilizes The Creative Curriculum®, a developmentally appropriate, comprehensive curriculum centered around exploration and discovery in an environment that is nurturing, responsive, and intentional. To learn more about the Early Learning Center visit https://www.montclairymca.org/early-learning-center/.

The Y is committed to helping everyone achieve their potential. Financial assistance is available.

Registration for the Virtual Open House is required. To register, complete our registration form; you will then be directed to register on Zoom. For more information contact Justine Biendon, Early Learning Center Director at jbiendon@montclairymca.org.

 

YMCA of USA Statement on Yesterday’s Events at the U.S. Capitol

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“The Y has a long, proud history of encouraging participation in our nation’s democracy. The storming of the U.S. Capitol yesterday – a mob action spurred by divisive rhetoric, disinformation and bad faith – was an affront to this important work and our core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. I condemn it in the strongest terms possible, and I hope those who incited violence and broke the law are held accountable and that peace prevails. My thoughts and prayers are with those who lost their lives or were injured and their loved ones.

“I take some comfort that the election certification rioters hoped to disrupt continued and was completed. I am grateful for the resolve of the elected officials and civil servants who discharged their duties undeterred and honored our nation’s democratic values in support of the Constitution. Our democracy held, but yesterday was a stark reminder that it is fragile, and preserving it requires people of courage, character and good faith. People of all ages, races, genders, backgrounds and political perspectives. People who believe in the promise of this nation and are willing to work purposefully to fulfill it.

“A thriving democracy takes all of us. We cannot allow the anti-democratic sentiment that fueled yesterday’s events – so much of it grounded in hate and tribalism – to gain strength. We must work toward common ground characterized by equity, decency and truth.

“Bringing people together is what the Y does best. We will continue to do our part to help people from all walks of life find common ground and promote civil society. And we will continue to invest in young changemakers and look to them for leadership. One of the great joys of my job is spending time with young people from across the country who participate in the Y’s Youth and Government program, which teaches them to value good-spirited debate, servant leadership and the power of public policy to improve lives. The program’s motto – “Democracy must be learned by each generation” – is particularly relevant right now. Young people are the primary source of my hope for the future, and time spent with our Youth and Government participants always confirms the wisdom of my optimism.

“Today is a new day. The Y looks forward to partnering with the new Administration and the new Congress in the weeks and months ahead to advance funding and policies that support our work to strengthen communities. Because at its best, our democracy is capable of this and much more.”

 

KEVIN WASHINGTON
President and CEO
YMCA OF THE USA

MLK Day Brave Space Community Dialogue

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Edited to add: To listen to the audio of this event, click HERE. The singing at the end of the audio is by the Philippine Madrigal Singers performing the prayer of St. Francis.

To view the short video “History in the Making: The YMCA and Civil Rights” click HERE.

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We invite you to the first 2021 Brave Space Community Dialogue on the eve of MLK Day, Sunday, January 17, from 7-8pm.

We will reflect on the day that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. came to speak in Montclair in 1966. Individuals who were there on that historic day will share their remembrances.

We will also dialogue on the present and its impact on the future of our community.

The discussion will be led by YMCA of Montclair’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee Chair Dr. Laura Quiros, Ph.D., LMSW.

We thank YMCA of Montclair Board Member Dr. Shirley A. R. Lewis for her assistance with this program.

The event is free, and all are welcome—register by clicking HERE.

 

Message Regarding Membership Fee Restoration

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Dear Valued Member,

In two weeks, we will say goodbye to 2020. It is an understatement to say that this year has been challenging. I am hopeful that better days lie ahead in 2021. The news that multiple pharmaceutical companies have developed vaccines with high efficacy rates gives us a reason for optimism.

Here at the YMCA of Montclair, we have worked hard to be there for our members in new and different ways, from blood drives to food drives to remote learning support. Recently, we have launched a YMCA of Montclair On-Demand fitness library to be accessed at home and look forward to offering group swim classes in January. We are HERE FOR YOU.

Since July, the Y has offered a phased re-open for our members. In September, we opened our doors at 25% capacity and offered limited capacity classes, gym equipment use, and lap swim. We’ve implemented a registration system and app to help our members access our Y while adhering to rigorous COVID practices and protocols.

Our members who have returned are confident in our safety measures and happy to be back on their journey to a healthier self in an environment that puts safety first.

For these many months, a majority of our members have been on hold. We want to continue to be HERE FOR YOU. As we enter 2021, it is now time for our Y to address membership overall.

For those members who have already activated your membership, no action is required. And, as a special thank you for re-activating in 2020, we are locking in your membership rate until 2023. Thank you for staying with us!

For those members who remain on hold, we will return to our standard membership draft on January 15, 2021. Please carefully review your options below:

  • If you are ready for your membership to be reactivated, no action is required. In fact, we are so excited to have you back that we will also lock in your membership rate until 2023.
  • If you are not ready to return to the Y but want to continue your membership on hold, our customary hold policy will apply and you will be charged $10 a month for up to six months. Please contact membership to confirm your hold status by email membership@montclairymca.org or call 973-744-3400 no later than January 8. Thank you for staying with us and we look forward to seeing you soon.
  • If you do not plan on returning to our Y you must contact membership no later than January 8 to opt-out. Email us at membership@montclairymca.org or call 973-744-3400. We will miss you and hope to see you again.

We look forward to seeing you soon. Our cardio, circuit, and weight rooms, spin bikes, group exercise classes, personal training, and, of course, our pools are HERE FOR YOU.

Thank you for staying with our Y during this difficult year. Our community remains stronger together. I look forward to seeing you back at the Y in 2021!

Sincerely,

Buddy Evans
President and CEO

COVID19 Vaccination

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Bonjour,

I am Valérie Allusson, Chief Medical Officer at Mountainside Medical Center and a member of the Board of Directors here at the YMCA of Montclair. I am excited to announce that the Y and I, along with my colleagues at the hospital, have collaborated to bring you Ask the Doctor, a monthly column providing you with health information.

Today, I will be answering questions on COVID-19 vaccination.

COVID-19 Vaccination:

How effective and safe is the COVID-19 Vaccine?

Pfizer and Moderna have developed a vaccine that is administered in two doses. Both companies show that after the second dose, the vaccine is 95% effective, with no significant side effects. The vaccines have the ability to prevent COVID-19, but also prevent severe cases of COVID-19.

When will the vaccines be available?

Both Pfizer and Moderna have applied for an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). After approval from the FDA, the CDC will provide a framework on which groups to prioritize. The first groups who will receive the vaccines will be nursing home residents and healthcare workers. It is expected that vaccines will be made available to this priority group, including the Mountainside Medical Center, before month’s end.

Will people still need to wear a mask, social distance, and wash hands after being vaccinated?

Yes. It is recommended you continue wearing a mask, social/physical distancing, and washing your hands until the general population is vaccinated.

I invite you to send your questions regarding health topics of your interest here. I look forward to answering your questions.

Thank you and stay well,

Valérie Allusson, M.D.