Board of Aldermen 01-12-2021 Page 12
Dr. Cappetta
Well | would it’s possible because viruses mutate and unfortunately the vaccines that we have for the
normal virus, the normal flu shot every year have to be looked at because of the ability of vaccines or
viruses to change how they make themselves up and therefore the one shot last year wasn’t good. A
couple of years ago we didn’t have one that was as effective than past flu shots. So | guess | also know
that Dr. Granok is on the line tonight, if he could comment about the efficacy of the vaccine. | don’t mean to
put you on the spot Dr. Granok but if you’re there, but that would be great.
Alexander Granok, M.D., Board of Health
Yeah | am here, you'll have to deal with the disembodied voice. Yeah so for the thought that this will last
for a year is based largely on mathematical models with how long antibodies persist in people’s
bloodstreams. So we really don’t know. | think an annual booster for that kind of virus especially when it’s
still prevalent in the world is likely. I’ve heard estimates that on a global scale, we won't be out of this
pandemic until probably 2023. So if the virus is present in the world, it is highly likely that we are going to
have to keep a certain high level of immunity in our communities. So | can readily see that boosters will be
needed. Whether that changes slightly from year to year, is not known at this point. But as | heard Dr.
Fauci describing within a week or so ago that the technology to bring this vaccine on-line is very robust. So
if they have to change the vaccine for next year, they can do it within a couple of months. So | think
boosters are likely because the virus is probably not going to go away by the end of this coming year.
Alderman Lopez
Thank you.
President Wilshire
Thank you. You all set Alderman Lopez?
Alderman Lopez
Well if ’'m wrong then any of the doctors in the room feel free to answer it, but | think one of the takeaways
from this is it easier to prevent an outbreak than to deal with one. So when things start to come up like, Uh
oh, we have a new version spreading and it is in this region, we should all be paying very close attention.
President Wilshire
OK, Dr. Storace you look like you have something to say.
Anthony Storace, D.M.D., Board of Health
Yeah | was just waiting for everybody else to get whatever off their chest. The one thing | wanted to
mention is, | got the vaccine today, my arm is still working so that’s good news there. | also would like to
comment on high regards for the New Hampshire National Guard who were administering; a good group of
guys there was only men there except for the nurse who wasn’t with the National Guard. They were really
instrumental in making people feel safe and | encourage everyone to get the vaccine.
Since the topic was brought up, we have three variants that are already in the United States, probably even
more; | heard as many as five. UK, South Africa and then | think Nigeria, the UK one you already all know
about, that’s shut down England, they believe that the vaccine that we have hopefully will be able to take
care of that. So the thing is even though you get the vaccine, the game isn’t over. You still have to wear a
mask, do the social distancing, even if it’s just to remind other people that that’s what they should do
especially if they haven’t had the vaccine.
