Program:
Jim Evans introduced our speaker, Dr. Dan Kalla, ER physician at St. Paul's Hospital and author.
Dan Kalla was born, raised, and still resides in Vancouver, Daniel spends his days (and sometimes nights) working as an Emergency Room Physician in a major teaching hospital. In his ‘off’ time, he writes and manages a dual career. He is the author of ten books, which have been translated into eleven languages to date, and his Shanghai trilogy has been optioned for feature films. His latest book, Lost Immunity, is currently available. It tackles the subject of vaccine hesitancy; a timely topic in today's climate.
The author, Daniel Kalla, applies 20+ years of medical experience to imbue his stories with genuine authenticity. His goal is twofold: to inform while entertaining. He produces engrossing novels with an intensity that matches the challenge of his other role as an ER physician at a major downtown teaching hospital. His medical thrillers focus on themes that lie at the heart of his professional life, delving into topics as diverse as pandemics, superbugs, addiction, DNA evidence and patient abuse. His most recent trilogy – The Far Side Of The Sky, Rising Sun Falling Shadow and Nightfall Over Shanghai – tells a little-known but amazing historical chapter of the Second World War, when 20,000 Jews fled Germany to find shelter in only one city: Shanghai, “The Paris of the East”. In his latest novel, Lost Immunity, Daniel tackles the issue of vaccine hesitancy and the potential impact on a global outbreak, applying his real-life experience working on the frontlines through the COVID pandemic. [source: https://danielkalla.com/]
With his last novel, Lost Immunity, he doesn't think he has tackled a more relevant topic. Though that may be arguable given the topics of some of his past books, e.g., The Last High.
We have not seen the likes of COVID-19 in most of our lifetimes with 3.4 million dead and it is thought to be widely underreported. The truth is we have no idea what the long term effects will be for those who have recovered from the disease.
Vaccines teach your immune system how to react when they encounter the disease. When thinking of herd immunity, think of viruses as rain drops. If only a few are vaccinated they are wearing rain coats, while if the majority are vaccinated then combines it creates an umbrella. This will protect the minority who are not vaccinated for one reason or another. Since no vaccine is 100% effective it is necessary to vaccinate more than 70% of the population to achieve her immunity.
No program has had such a successful success rate at fighting disease and preventing death, especially among children. Think small pox, polio.
COVID vaccines, especially the mRNA ones have been really successful so far. An example is the UK was in terrible shape in January with 1500 deaths per day; in less than 4 months of the vaccine program this reduced to 4 per day. In Israel it has been seen as well -- from 8450 deaths per day to 74 per day during the same period. Some local examples are the targeted communities -- care homes, vaccines have virtually irradicated outbreaks. The same is true on the east side and in indigenous communities.
Side effects from vaccines are concerning for some. The mRNA vaccines have not had any deaths related to them in 15 million doses given. The AstraZeneca vaccine has had some major side effects of rare clotting complication. It has killed 4 Canadians which amounts to <1 in 500,000 doses given. This is safer than Tylenol. It needs to be put into perspective. Most side effects are very mild that passes within 24 hours.
Vaccine hesitancy has been around for even longer than vaccines have been around interestingly. The small pox vaccine was the first one developed. Anti-vaxers existed then and the arguments that were put forward back then are still those cited today. The hesitancy mushroomed when a bad study was made public linking measles vaccine with autism. The author of the study has since rescinded the work, it was realized that he falsified the evidence, was paid by pharmaceutical companies, and has been criminally charged. The WHO has listed vaccine hesitancy as one of the biggest threats to global health.
It is all of our responsibility to sway the hesitant. Listen to their concerns and provide good information sources. It is vital that everyone who can, does get vaccinated to ensure we have herd immunity.
A concern has come out questioning how good the vaccines can be given the speed they were put out. It really has not been that quick. The mRNA vaccine has been worked on for the last 20 years pioneered by Hungarian-born biochemist Katalin Karikó, who had to fight to be accepted by her industry as is typical for most women scientists. As a result of this work, when COVID hit they, Pfizer and Moderna, were able to act very, very quickly.
Dan closed by reading the 1st chapter of Lost Immunity setting up the scene and the characters. It is placed in Seattle and tackles the fight against an extremely dangerous meningitis disease. From all accounts a good read.
Interesting links:
- Listen to Dan Kalla's interview on CBC's The Current with Matt Galloway, April 3, 2020, following the release of his book, The Last High, about the opioid crisis. During his interview he discusses the COVID crisis. CLICK HERE
- Read Vancouver Sun's article, March 24, 2020, CLICK HERE
- Kalla's books to purchase on Indigo, CLICK HERE
- Kalla's books to purchase on Amazon, CLICK HERE
As District Governor, Bala Naidoo initiated the usage of Rotary Club Central to create a “bottom up approach” to arriving at a Club and District Annual plan. He believes that what gets measured gets done and this helps each successive DG & Club President create a living plan to help their Leadership Teams operate in a synchronized way moving forward!
