All COVID-19 – Page 10 – BIDMC’s COVID-19 Initiatives

Study shows booster shot after 6 to 12 months likely to provide best protection from COVID-19, Pfizer says

Pfizer and BioNTech have released initial data from a study on booster shots for their COVID-19 vaccine, saying a third dose delivered about six months after the second shot has shown neutralization titers are five to 10 times higher than after two primary doses. The FDA and the CDC will determine if and when booster shots will be allowed. Dan Barouch, MD, PhD (Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, BIDMC) told ABC News in late May that the pharmaceutical companies have an economic incentive and that a decision on booster shots should be made based on public health solely and not on economic incentives of the companies.

+ Read More

Developing a collaborative approach to post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection

In this Psychiatry Times feature by Elizabeth LaSalvia, MD (Psychiatry, BIDMC), Jason Maley, MD (Pulmonary Disease, BIDMC) and Matcheri Keshavan, MD (Psychiatry, BIDMC), the authors examine the long-term mental health effects of COVID-19, with one in three COVID-19 survivors having persistent neurological and/or psychiatric issues. BIDMC has recently launched the Critical Illness and COVID-19 Survivorship Program that aims to integrate care among pulmonary, critical care, sleep medicine, psychiatry, cognitive neurology, neurology, geriatrics, social work, and physical and occupational therapy clinicians.

+ Read More

Dr. Ashish Jha, other public health officials on why your kids should get COVID-19 vaccine

In an effort to ease tensions about getting children vaccinated this summer, during a virtual town hall for the cities of Somerville, Cambridge, Chelsea, and Framingham, Treniece Lewis Harris, PhD (Psychology, BIDMC) said that primary care doctors should have the training to listen to families about where they are coming from and to help educate them on the vaccine, and any other fears they may have.

+ Read More

Ask the doctors: Delta variant continues to spread

The Delta variant continues to spread and now makes up a quarter of all New England cases. Sharon Wright, MD, MPH (Infection Protection, BILH) and other experts joined WBUR to answer questions on viruses, vaccines, and variants.

+ Read More

You had the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine. Should you try to get a booster dose of Pfizer or Moderna?

Dan Barouch, MD, PhD (Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, BIDMC) discusses if it is necessary to receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot and if they increase immune responses.

+ Read More

J&J coronavirus vaccine appears to protect against Delta variant

Johnson & Johnson announced that its COVID-19...

+ Read More

Video: Boston doctor discusses whether fully-vaccinated need face masks on planes, trains

Preeti Mehrotra, MD (Infection Control, BIDMC) spoke to whether the CDC should update its face mask guidance for fully-vaccinated travelers and said that current vaccination rates, evidence of transmission on public transportation, and global vaccination rates for international travel should be evaluated when considering mask guidance updates.

+ Read More

Promising research into long-term effects of vaccine

A new study suggests the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines might offer protection for years even without a booster shot, but variants remain a wild card. The delta variant has now been identified in 49 states, and is especially dangerous to those who are not vaccinated. Dan Barouch, MD, PhD (Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, BIDMC) said data suggests that some level of immunity will be long lasting and how that translates into actual protection remains to be determined.

+ Read More

Calls rise for FDA to fully approve COVID-19 vaccines

Last week, major hospital systems in Boston, including BILH, announced COVID-19 vaccines will be a requirement for employees and as a condition of employment. Kevin Tabb, MD (CEO, BILH) explained that because some staff might feel more comfortable getting COVID-19 vaccine after it has been formally licensed by the FDA, the hospital system won’t require the vaccine until the emergency use authorization is lifted.

+ Read More

Recent Stories