On the frontlines of COVID fighting fears and misinformation

The resurgence of COVID-19 in Mississippi because of the Delta variant and the state's low vaccination rate is straining the healthcare system with 28 ICUs now at capacity. Shutterstock

Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting

Dr. Dan Edney

With COVID-19 cases climbing into the thousands from the Delta variant and deaths once again reaching double digits, the Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting asked Dr. Dan Edney for his insights as chief medical officer for the state Department of Health and a clinician. Edney is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians.

What are your worst fears about the rise of the Delta variant?

My worst fear is of the healthcare system reaching the breaking point as we nearly did in January and there being no ICU beds throughout the state again. This is followed closely by allowing the virus too much opportunity for transmission which increases likelihood of further mutation. I am very concerned how the Epsilon variant would behave should we allow COVID to keep mutating.

Since you are a clinician, what concerns have your patients raised about getting the vaccine and how successful have you been in allaying their fears and getting them to agree to the vaccine?

I've heard all the ones out there, but the most common concerns are regarding potential long-term complications, that the FDA has not fully approved them yet, and the infertility issue. Sharing the science of vaccines regarding complications occurring within the first few weeks and not showing up years later is helpful. Explaining how the Emergency Use Authorization process works to eliminate red tape and expedite clinical work but not eliminate any safety steps and that full approval requires more time to complete the red tape helps. Patients then can understand that full approval has no impact on whether they are safe or not but is simply the final step in the review process. Bottom line is the FDA thinks they are safe and effective and continues to allow their use as we are doing. Being able to explain how we have monitored fertility rates throughout the pandemic and have seen no impact on fertility either positively or negatively is very helpful. The American College of OB/GYN recommends the vaccine be given to women including all stages of pregnancy and for breastfeeding moms. I have heard all three of these issues earlier today and had these actual conversations with patients today. Overall, I'm running about 40% success rate with one-on-one education and another 40% who are at least willing to think about it based on the information I supplied to them. The remaining 20% are very resistant, but I have seen with continued education and encouragement at each visit that even some of those will change their mind. Having these conversations shows patients that we care about them and their families.

You've mentioned the important role physicians play in getting patients to get the vaccine. CBS news recently interviewed a COVID patient at St. Dominic Hospital who said one doctor advised her not to get the vaccine because of her heart condition while another told her she should because of that condition. How much education of physicians still needs to be done to avoid this conflicting information?

In my experience talking to physicians, most of us are up to speed on the vaccination issue. Our main recommendation regarding those who are vaccine hesitant is to speak to their physician about it. The fact that 96% of U.S. physicians are vaccinated (and our families) clearly speaks to our opinion of safety and efficacy. As in any profession, there are outliers with some physicians being against vaccination but if they do choose this stance, it is not based on medical science.

Because of the state's rural nature and the lack of transportation in these areas, how can we reach people to get the vaccine?

MSDH will do literally whatever is needed to get vaccine to anyone in Mississippi. The Mississippi State Department of Health now offers vaccine at our county health departments, and we provide drive-through testing outside many county health departments. This is all on our website. We have COVID Community Vaccination Partners who are willing to go to any situation to administer vaccine. We have mobile "Pop-Up" units traveling all over the state to provide access to vaccine. We are working with communities to support vaccination events in their local areas however they need it. The agency is also actively signing up medical providers to administer vaccine to their patients. Also, vaccine is being given at pharmacies all over the state including Wal-Mart, Kroger, CVS, Walgreens, and at many local independent pharmacies. Go to www.vaccine.gov to find locations and vaccine types. Access is no excuse not to be vaccinated. Contact us at MSDH for assistance.

How has the Delta variant further magnified health disparities in Mississippi — specifically that lack of health insurance means many Mississippians have no family doctor or local pharmacy to turn to? What is the answer for this population?

One glaring disparity is that too many Mississippians do not have easy access to a doctor's visit to have these conversations and then feel comfortable being vaccinated. Receiving COVID care is less difficult as there is coverage for everyone needing treatment for acute COVID including in the physician's office by insurance or through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. However, the complications of "Long COVID" and the exacerbation of other health problems such as diabetes, heart disease and stroke do impact the uninsured far worse than others. COVID is clearly already making these disparities worse.

If a Mississippian came to you and said he didn't want to get the vaccine because it hadn't been tested enough, how would you respond?

There have been over 1 billion doses of vaccine given worldwide, over 300 million doses given nationwide and over 2 million doses given statewide (over 1 million fully vaccinated in Mississippi) with the complication rates being extremely rare. The administration of these vaccines is being monitored more intensely than any others in history and are being proven safe and effective. In our opinion, they are no longer experimental. We have an incredible amount of data to prove their safety.

This story was produced by the Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting, a nonprofit news organization that seeks to inform, educate and empower Mississippians in their communities through the use of investigative journalism. Sign up for our newsletter.