Interview with Dr. IV Mirus about Covid-19 booster shots and Ivermectin

Alex (Daily Moth): Hello Dr. IV Mirus!

Dr. IV Mirus: Hi!

Alex: How are you doing in the Dallas area? I just saw some numbers that said there were 3,800 new cases in Dallas on Tuesday. How are you doing, what are you seeing at the hospital? Between those who are vaccinated and those who are unvaccinated? What are your observations?

Dr. Mirus: Yes, right now, it’s obvious that Dallas is overwhelmed. Texas is overwhelmed with the coronavirus. We are in another serious wave of infections. Right now hospital resources and staff are clearly overwhelmed. We are trying to do the best we can to help people. But what I’ve noticed so far, and I have the evidence and data to back it up — for those who show up to the hospital with Covid-19 infections, there is a clear difference between the two groups. For the unvaccinated, they typically have more severe illnesses, pneumonia, and other breathing problems. Most of them can be discharged home, but some in the group have to stay in the hospital because they need more oxygen to help them breathe. While for the group that is vaccinated, when they show up to the hospital and are found positive with Covid-19 — I’m seeing more and more of them being infected — but they all have been sent home. I don’t have to keep them in the hospital because they don’t have breathing problems. It is true that they have a fever and body aches and don’t feel well, but their oxygen levels are solid. They don’t need additional oxygen support. That means they don’t have to stay in the hospital. In the University of Texas Southwest hospital where I work, 93% to 98% of all coronavirus patients are unvaccinated. So there’s a clear difference between those who have to stay and those who can go home.

Alex: So you can see the difference in the body’s ability to recognize and fight the virus. You did explain to me in the past that a vaccine is like showing a picture to inform what’s bad, so the body will be ready. Now, this leads me to the next question about booster shots. It is the “third shot.” There is a lot of discussion — I’ve read several articles that say Pfizer and Moderna both said there is data that supports the need for a booster shot because the vaccine efficacy may reduce over time. But there are other scientists who have published statements saying a booster shot is not needed, that the vaccines are strong enough. So how are you looking at all of this?

Dr. Mirus: That topic is a big discussion right now in the scientific community. The FDA, CDC, and the White House are all talking about whether booster shots are needed or not. It is true that there were some recent published studies that said booster shots are not needed. But there were two recent publications by Pfizer and a third from Israel in which all three said booster shots are necessary. What these studies found is that every two months, the vaccine efficacy rate reduces by 6%. So for example, in the first week up to two months, there is a 96% efficacy of preventing infection. But after two months up to four months, the rate is down to 90%. Then after four months, the rate goes down to 83%, 84%. That means the vaccines, over time, become less and less effective in preventing infection. So it makes sense that we need booster shots, but we have two different opinions from scientists. One group says that the two vaccines, Pfizer and Moderna, are effective in preventing serious infections. Yes, people still do get infected, but the symptoms are minimal. So is a third shot necessary? The second group says that if someone is infected, they can spread it to others. That’s why you need a third shot. So it’s still a hot discussion.

Alex: So, if someone asks you, how do you give a good response? I guess you have to wait for the CDC’s final guidance? What helps you to make a decision about that?

Dr. Mirus: Right, we follow the data. We follow the science. We don’t want to get ahead and say “We need boosters now!” Let us research the data first. If there are more reports and consensus that booster shots are a good idea, then let’s do it. But don’t jump the gun. We have to research first. The CDC and the FDA will meet at the end of this week to discuss this. So I hope there will be more advice after the meeting. We’ll see what they agree on.

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Alex: Now, this is another topic. I’ve seen it pop up on social media — a different drug called Ivermectin. It seems to be popular among those who are against vaccines or those who haven’t received a vaccine. It seems to be used as a treatment for those who contract the coronavirus or something. The drug, if I understand it right, is used on horses and livestock. But it’s also used in humans? Can you share your perspectives on Ivermectin?

Dr. Mirus: Well, I think this is hydroxychloroquine part two, right? I mean, it goes back to when the coronavirus pandemic first began last year. There was research in a lab with Ivermectin, which is used to deworm dogs or horses. It can be used on humans for lice and scabies. That type of medicine. But this study was done in a lab, not on humans. Will this medicine prevent viruses from going into cells? The researchers applied two to three times the dose that you would typically take orally. That’s a lot of medicine that was applied. It did show that it prevented the virus from entering cells, but it’s impossible to check this on humans. You can’t take that much Ivermectin because it will cause health problems such as liver failure. There is no data, no good quality evidence that shows Ivermectin will prevent a Covid-19 infection. So, don’t take it. Talk with your doctor. Don’t experiment on yourself.

Alex: You said it is hydroxychloroquine part two. You know, people may try to come up with various solutions, but that can be dangerous to the body. So you’re not advising anyone to take Ivermectin? Obviously?

Dr. Mirus: Right. There’s no data, no evidence. Don’t experiment on yourself. You have no idea what will happen. We know about the vaccines based on research that has gone on for many years — one year — it’s been looked at. It looks good. So that’s not experimental.

Alex: Understood. Do you want to add anything related to this: coronavirus, vaccines, medicine? Anything you want to add?

Dr. Mirus: We are now overwhelmed with patients who are coming to the hospital. Most of them who are admitted have not been vaccinated. Many people say, “I’m unvaccinated, that’s my decision.” That’s right, it is your decision, but that decision seriously affects other people. What I mean is when people come in and stay in the hospital because they are severely ill with the coronavirus, it means other sick people who have strokes, heart attacks, those who need cancer surgery treatment, have to be put on hold. They have to wait because we have to take care of those who haven’t received vaccines and become sick. That’s the problem. We don’t have enough resources, beds, or personnel to take care of them all. How do we prevent this? Get the vaccine. It’s obvious and the safe answer. So if you are hesitant about getting the vaccine or not, l strongly recommend getting the vaccine. It helps you and it also helps other people too.

Alex: That’s the same advice from day one. Before — in the past we talked about the hope and excitement for a vaccine, and now the vaccines have actually rolled out, and we’re trying to encourage people to get vaccinated. It’s a constant. I think that’s all the questions I have for now. I look forward to the next time we have a chat. Thank you very much Dr. IV Mirus!

Dr. Mirus: Thank you for having me. Take care.