Merit Family,

Happy New Year! I hope you all had a safe and healthy holiday season. Although 2020 has passed, many of our challenges will continue into 2021. In this newsletter, I want to provide an update on how the COVID-19 vaccine rollout is progressing across the globe.

It seems that many still have lingering questions and concerns about the vaccine. To help clear up misinformation, I have included a section explaining how particular types of vaccines work.

VACCINE ROLLOUT UPDATES

The biggest vaccination campaign in history has begun. More than 17.5 million doses in 38 countries have been administered, according to data collected by Bloomberg. Delivering billions more will be one of the greatest challenges ever undertaken.

Vaccinations in the U.S. began Dec. 14 with healthcare workers. So far, 6.25 million doses have been given. A vaccine by AstraZeneca and University of Oxford received its first major authorization by the U.K. on Dec. 30. China has also cleared Sinopharm’s vaccine for general use, with the goal of vaccinating 50 million people there by early February.

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has now been cleared for use across North America, Europe, and the Middle East, and vaccination campaigns have begun in at least 38 countries. The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines were both found to reduce coronavirus infections by 95% in trials of tens of thousands of volunteers.

Once we are vaccinated, it is still important to wear masks, avoid gathering, and practice social distancing.  Experts stress that until we see a significant reduction in transmission, illnesses, and deaths, we should still abide by these guidelines. 

NEW APPROACHES TO VACCINES 

Understanding the Moderna and Pfizer Vaccines

Both the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines utilize messenger RNA (mRNA) to produce an immune response. The mRNA vaccine is a new type of vaccine used to protect us from COVID-19, but the technology around mRNA is not new. Unlike many vaccines that trigger an immune response by putting a weakened or inactivated virus into our bodies, mRNA vaccines instead teach our cells how to make a protein—or even just a piece of a protein—that triggers an immune response inside our bodies. That immune response, which produces antibodies, is what protects us from getting infected if the real virus enters our bodies.

Here are more facts about mRNA vaccines: 

• They cannot give someone COVID-19. The mRNA vaccine does not use the live virus that causes COVID-19.

They also do not affect or interact with our DNA in any way. The mRNA in the vaccine never enters the nucleus of the cell, which is where our DNA (genetic material) is kept. The cell breaks down and gets rid of the mRNA soon after it is finished using the instructions needed to create the protective proteins. COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are rigorously evaluated for safety. The mRNA vaccine has been held to the same safety and effectiveness standards as all other types of vaccines in the U.S. Researchers have been studying and working with mRNA vaccines for decades.

Learn more about mRNA vaccines here. 

Understanding the AstraZeneca Vaccine 

The vaccine by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford takes a different—but similar—approach. Rather than utilizing mRNA to instruct the body on how to produce antibodies, this vaccine carries a gene from a modified common cold virus to effectively “trick” your body into creating antibodies against COVID-19. 

Here are more facts about the AstraZeneca vaccine:

• The altered virus can’t make you sick. Like the mRNA vaccine, the AstraZeneca vaccine does not contain a live virus. It simply contains the portion of the virus that triggers a response in the immune system. 
• This vaccine is easier to transport and store than mRNA vaccines. This means that the vaccine will be easier to distribute, especially to rural or underdeveloped areas. 

Learn more about the AstraZeneca vaccine here.

There is no “best” option when it comes to any of the three vaccines. Each vaccine has been rigorously tested, and although they may differ when it comes to transportation, storage, and administration, you can feel confident in their ability to protect you. 

HEALTHY RECIPE OF THE WEEK

To help you get through the season in a COVID-19-friendly way, in each newsletter I’ll provide a new healthy recipe to try. This week? Brown Rice and Black Bean Burritos Looking for an easy, healthy lunch? Try this recipe for brown rice and bean burritos. Loaded with fiber and protein, these burritos will keep you full all afternoon. Get the details here.

SILVER LINING STORY

It seems like every day (COVID-19 or no) we’re bombarded with frightening and worrisome news. But the truth of the matter is, good things are happening all around us—we just have to look

Man Uses Life Savings to Open “Rice ATM”

This week, our Silver Lining Story comes from India, where Ramu Dosapati has used his life savings to open a “Rice ATM” to help his community have access to food and other essential items. Dosapati was inspired when he met a woman at the store spending a significant portion of her own salary to buy staple foods, like rice and chicken, for migrant workers. He soon decided to cash in his retirement fund—nearly $75,000 U.S. dollars—to create a food pantry. 

Since the project launched this past April, word of Dosapati’s generosity has made the rounds. With support from a number of outside sources now pouring in, he says he hopes to keep resources flowing for those in need for a long time to come. Read more about his efforts here. 

UPDATE ON COVID-19 AT MERIT

We’ve now identified 423 cases of COVID-19 among the Merit family of approximately 5,900 (328 in the United States, 40 in Mexico, 21 in Ireland, nine in Sales-EMEA, seven in Brazil, five in The Netherlands, three in France, three in Sales-LAM, three in Sales-APAC, two in Indonesia, and two in South Africa). Employees are recovering at home or at the hospital. Many employees who have recovered have returned to work.

All facilities have implemented stringent COVID-19 protection measures to prevent any spread of the virus among Merit employees.

The Merit Care Clinic is now offering a rapid COVID-19 test for people having symptoms. Please call the Merit Care Clinic to see if you’re eligible for this type of testing.

Please visit the Merit Metro (for employees who have Merit email addresses) or www.merit.com/covid-19-response-resource-page/ for the most updated information on Merit and COVID-19.

Please stay safe. Please stay positive (and keep smiling from 6 feet). I look forward to sharing more information with you soon.

Regards,

Dr. Nicole Priest, MD

Merit Medical Chief Wellness Officer

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