Thankfully, opioid overdose deaths are declining, but fentanyl continues to pose a persistent danger to drug users because of its unpredictable potency and formulation. Regardless of how fentanyl enters the U.S. or is distributed to users, all first responders are concerned about this dangerous drug as they serve their communities and are open to any solution that might end the tremendous human suffering of the ongoing opioid epidemic.
A new start-up, founded by JR Rahn, is researching a fentanyl vaccine. Rahn, according to Bloomberg.com, is a multi-millionaire working with researchers from Harvard University and the University of Houston to develop an opioid vaccine, which is probably years away from coming to market and likely faces a skeptical patient population.
Rahn’s company, Ovax, is proposing that the vaccine be made available to first responders. Bloomberg reported that Ovax wants to obtain an “emergency use authorization” from the FDA “within a few years” to vaccinate police officers, firefighters, paramedics and border patrol agents.
It is a persistent and sticky myth that first responders are at risk of a fentanyl overdose through on-duty exposure. Despite the videos, often distributed by police departments, of their police officers collapsing after touching fentanyl, inhaling fentanyl or even seeing fentanyl, the drug does not have this actual effect on first responders or bystanders.
After one of those videos went viral, Ryan Marino, medical director for toxicology and addiction at University Hospitals in Cleveland, told NBC News, “We have a lot of scientific evidence and a good knowledge of chemical laws and the way that these drugs work that says this is impossible.”
“You can’t just touch fentanyl and overdose,” Marino said. “It doesn’t just get into the air and make people overdose.”
Unlike many life-saving vaccinations, an Ovax vaccination is unnecessary. A route of exposure leading to overdose doesn’t exist. Instead of a vaccine, follow regular universal precautions of wearing exam gloves and – if there is a risk of large amounts of airborne fentanyl – wear a dust mask or N-95.
Finally, make sure you can differentiate the signs and symptoms of a narcotics overdose – lethargy, nodding, reducing responsiveness, blue lips, pinpoint pupils, dyspnea, apnea – from a sympathetic nervous system response to a stressor, like seeing fentanyl or another unknown powder. Treat opioid overdose with naloxone and ventilation. Treat the stress response by removing or moving away from the stressor, reassurance and coaching regular breathing. If the patient’s skin contacted fentanyl, wash the area with warm water and soap.
