COVID-19 vaccine and shadowing

[MantisTobaggon]

I'm scheduled to get vaccinated for COVID-19 in the coming weeks which I am looking forward to and am very thankful for. I am wondering, however, if this can be used to my benefit in reaching out to MDs/DOs to ask if I can shadow them. If they are still wary despite my being vaccinated, then when will shadowing opportunities make a return for premeds? Any thoughts on this from practicing physicians or those who work closely with them?

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[deleted1025488]

You can still carry the virus and be contagious even when vaccinated (apparently).

Not that this matters, though. There have been plenty of threads on here and elsewhere regarding premeds doing shadowing right now. Interestingly enough the admissions officers here seem to be supporting this too, shadowing during the height of a literal global pandemic, while also being MDs, but hey whatever right. Not like we are applying to a field that's relevant to this at all. Totally responsible! Go shadow!

Edit: sorry that sounded rude, if you're set on shadowing now I've heard private or smaller clinics (free even) are letting some kids in. I just had a soft spot for this topic because one of my friends was ignorant and didn't follow safety guidelines while shadowing in November and ended up getting like 15 people in the hospital sick plus literally all of his friends including me + their families, probably legitimately over 100 cases from that one kid shadowing in the ER during covid for some F'in reason. And the pandemic is worse now.

 

[MantisTobaggon]

You can still carry the virus and be contagious even when vaccinated (apparently).

Not that this matters, though. There have been plenty of threads on here and elsewhere regarding premeds doing shadowing right now. Interestingly enough the admissions officers here seem to be supporting this too, shadowing during the height of a literal global pandemic, while also being MDs, but hey whatever right. Not like we are applying to a field that's relevant to this at all. Totally responsible! Go shadow!

Edit: sorry that sounded rude, if you're set on shadowing now I've heard private or smaller clinics (free even) are letting some kids in. I just had a soft spot for this topic because one of my friends was ignorant and didn't follow safety guidelines while shadowing in November and ended up getting like 15 people in the hospital sick plus literally all of his friends including me + their families, probably legitimately over 100 cases from that one kid shadowing in the ER during covid for some F'in reason. And the pandemic is worse now.

Not to worry. No offense taken. I have heard that the virus can be carried by vaccinated people and wouldn't blame any doctors for being wary of letting students shadow them. Just curious if something like shadowing will ever make a comeback to the applications of premeds who don't have family members in medicine who can sort out shadowing opportunities for them. I've been able to volunteer in the clinical setting throughout the pandemic but don't know anyone who has been able to shadow. Currently I'm sitting on 0 total shadowing hours which I'll admit is my own fault for not shadowing as a freshman/sophomore, but I'm primarily concerned that this is an issue that even a gap year may not fix.

 

[KnightDoc]

Not to worry. No offense taken. I have heard that the virus can be carried by vaccinated people and wouldn't blame any doctors for being wary of letting students shadow them. Just curious if something like shadowing will ever make a comeback to the applications of premeds who don't have family members in medicine who can sort out shadowing opportunities for them. I've been able to volunteer in the clinical setting throughout the pandemic but don't know anyone who has been able to shadow. Currently I'm sitting on 0 total shadowing hours which I'll admit is my own fault for not shadowing as a freshman/sophomore, but I'm primarily concerned that this is an issue that even a gap year may not fix.

"Ever" is a pretty long time!

I think it's safe to assume that everything, including shadowing, will go back to "normal" when vaccinations reach a critical mass and herd immunity becomes a reality. Whether that will be this coming summer, fall, winter, etc. is certainly open to debate, but the Pandemic of 1918 ended, and shadowing returned after that, so I'd bet on it returning sometime before the end of time. Until then, you'll have to sit tight and maybe push back an application for a year if you are not in a position to check all the required boxes.

 

[Angus Avagadro]

It is my understanding the current data suggests that 5% of people vaccinated can get Covid, and results in a mild case. It is believed that these people can be contagious. More time and data will be needed for further guidance. This is why people are still asked to wear masks after vaccination.

If you examine the 1918 cdc info, I believe it took 2 yrs for the summer and winter spikes to die down.

 

[stickgirl390]

It’s my understanding that there has been no data stating whether you can or cannot spread covid while vaccinated, and the mask wearing is a precaution until that is determined.

If you guys have literature stating otherwise, please share. But “we don’t know” does not equal “you can still spread it”.

 

[xDNA]

I haven't been able to shadow still since the start of the pandemic. Just recently got my first dose of the vaccine, and immediately contacted the 3 physicians that has been helping me throughout this journey. 2 of them who work at teaching hospitals told me no. Their institutions still aren't allowing shadowing. The last guy hasnt gotten back to me yet, but he's in a private practice, so I'm hoping to finesse some hours that way. Finding a doc in private practice is the only suggestion I can think of outside of just delaying your app until you can get adequate hours.

 

[Angus Avagadro]

It’s my understanding that there has been no data stating whether you can or cannot spread covid while vaccinated, and the mask wearing is a precaution until that is determined.

If you guys have literature stating otherwise, please share. But “we don’t know” does not equal “you can still spread it”.

You don't need to do a double blinded randomized trial to suggest it is raining outside. Someone who has an active Covid infection has to be considered contagious. You can't have an active Covid infection and not be shedding viruses.. Wearing a mask after vaccination and taking precautions is logical and prudent until proven otherwise. We know that 2 current vaccines are 95% effective in preventing infection. That means 5%, or 1 in 20 people who are vaccinated can become infected. This turns out to be a lot of people.