PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Many people are still resisting the COVID-19 vaccine, opting instead to rely on treatment if they get sick. An Einstein Medical Center Montgomery chief medical officer said why she thinks that is not a good plan.
“The best prevention we have right now continues to be the vaccine," said Dr. Angie Nicholas.
“I really want to prevent people from getting into the hospital. I want to prevent people from getting sick. And what we're finding is if you are vaccinated, you have a significantly lower chance of getting into the intensive care unit, and of getting on a ventilator.”
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She said oral treatments, the anti-COVID-19 pills are on the horizon and current monoclonal treatments are helpful, but it’s not a simple process.
“The monoclonal antibody is an infusion, an IV infusion, which means that you have to come into the hospital. You have to get into a stretcher area or a chair area. You have to then get an IV in your arm," said Dr. Nicholas.
“You have to actually have the monoclonal antibody, which some hospitals don't have. You have to have a place that you can be that it can be given. Some hospitals don't have that place to be able to give it. So it is not easy.”
Additionally, the person getting the treatment has COVID-19 and is infectious, so extra precautions have to be taken to avoid spreading it.
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There is also the question about how well the treatment works against the omicron variant.
Dr. Nicholas said it’s not a surprise to see case counts climbing around the holidays, but she said that thanks to the vaccine and natural immunity, “I think we're less likely to see people get significantly ill, which is really the important thing.”
Dr. Nicholas said getting the vaccine can help avoid the need for treatments.
"I understand there's treatments," she said.
"But wouldn't you like to not need the treatment? Would you like to not need to quarantine?"
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