According to new trial data, Johnson & Johnson’s one-shot COVID-19 vaccine appears to provide more protection against worrisome virus variants than initially reported. The vaccine was developed in a collaboration between Johnson & Johnson and BIDMC, led by Dan Barouch, MD, PhD (Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, BIDMC).

New analyses show Johnson & Johnson’s one-dose vaccine works well.

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A research team at BIDMC led by James E. Kirby, MD (Clinical Microbiology, BIDMC) and Ramy Arnaout, MD (Clinical Microbiology, BIDMC) has developed a mathematical model to estimate the false negative rate for COVID-19 tests.

Beth Israel Deaconess researchers build tool to estimate false negative COVID-19 test rates

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Advisers are set the meet this week to discuss the recommendation of the Johnson & Johnson one-shot vaccine for emergency use authorization. Dan Barouch, MD, PhD (Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, BIDMC) noted the process needs to be accelerated for vaccine rollout in the United States and throughout the world.

Local doctor who assisted in development of J&J vaccine says having another option is critical

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Dan Barouch, MD, PhD (Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, BIDMC) noted that the urgency of the COVID-19 pandemic, combined with advances in funding and technology, enabled the vaccine to be a global effort.

How to have a conversation with someone who’s hesitant about the Covid vaccine

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Kevin P. Hill, MD (Addiction Psychiatry, BIDMC) shared how people with substance use disorder have been hit especially hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and what the Division of Addiction Psychiatry at BIDMC is doing to address this problem.

The stress and worry that came with the pandemic have proved to be a stern test of the coping strategies for those with substance use disorder.

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Sharon Wright, MD, MPH (Infectious Disease, BIDMC) speaks about the latest COVID-19 headlines, including the pace of the vaccine rollout, what the FDA Advisory Committee takes into consideration as they consider a vaccine candidate for emergency use authorization, whether COVID-19 could be a season virus, as well as the sobering milestone of 500,000 lives lost during this pandemic.

Mass. doctor on COVID-19 case, hospitalization drop

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As the pandemic stretches toward the one-year mark, with about half a million deaths in the U.S. alone, some healthcare workers are staying creative to cope with stress or to share a message of hope with their community. During the pandemic, Michael Gibson, MD (Interventional Cardiology, BIDMC) created about ten paintings, including one painting that was auctioned off to support healthcare workers.

Healthcare workers are turning to art to cope. Here are some of their projects

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The Gazette recently contacted experts to ask about a few surprising, unanticipated positives that have emerged midst pandemic. In the area of health care delivery, almost 90 percent of the visits at BIDMC’s primary care practice had to switch to telephone or video interviews which makes for fully open and transparent communication even more important.

Various innovations, rise of women leaders, greater collaboration between scientists, clinicians, to name few

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As Massachusetts and several other states prioritize vaccine distribution to residents with cancer, heart disease, obesity and other medical concerns, many are still trying to figure out if they qualify as criteria with these diseases remain unclear. Sean Levy, MD (Pulmonary Disease, BIDMC) noted some eligible risk factors like smoking are open to interpretation.

Do I Qualify? Vaccine Confusion For Patients With Multiple Serious Medical Conditions

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The state has been criticized for its inoculation work, absorbing complaints about logistical hurdles and cumbersome technology. Edward Ullman, MD (Emergency Medicine, BIDMC) noted the only way to address those complaints is to take the criticism, listen to it and figure out how to make it better.

The latest Fenway faithful want it now. They want it fast

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In the fight toward herd COVID-19 immunity, Dan Barouch, MD, PhD (Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, BIDMC) spoke to the importance of vaccine-induced T cell responses, particularly for resistant variants that might partially evade neutralizing antibodies.

How soon will COVID-19 vaccines return life to normal?

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Roger Shapiro, MD (Infectious Disease, BIDMC) is among four Boston-area doctors who spoke with GBH News about what to expect when getting either the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines.

What To Expect After Getting A COVID-19 Vaccine

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Epidemiologists said the U.K. coronavirus variant may be the dominant strain of the virus in the United States by March. Dan Barouch, MD, PhD (Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, BIDMC) noted even more worrisome is the variant from South Africa as it’s not only more contagious but it’s also partially resistant to antibodies.

The microbiology lab at Massachusetts General Hospital is joining ramped-up efforts underway through the state and the Broad Institute to identify variants in Massachusetts communities.

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Experts now urge N95 marks or double-masking as more-transmissible variants are set to dominate the viral landscape. Dan Barouch, MD, PhD (Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, BIDMC) spoke to the virus variants spreading across the U.S.

In shift, experts now urge N95s or double-masking as variants set to dominate viral landscape.

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Dan Barouch, MD, PhD (Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, BIDMC) discussed how fast vaccine development can proceed when there is a true global emergency and sufficient resources.

Antifragility On Steroids: Embracing Disruption As The New Norm.

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During a year when many hospitals in the U.S. were overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients, other kinds of medical care dropped off sharply. In a recent study, BIDMC researchers found that deaths from two kinds of heart disease increased in several states in the months after the pandemic began relative to 2019.

Missed Doctor Visits Have Created Covid’s Shadow Health Crisis.

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Dan Barouch, MD, PhD (Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, BIDMC) answered questions about the COVID-19 vaccine candidate, developed in a collaboration between Johnson & Johnson and BIDMC.

Dr. Dan Barouch, the director of Beth Israel's Center for Virology and Vaccine Research who led design efforts for the vaccine alongside Johnson & Johnson, answers questions around the new vaccine.

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Last year, the Singing Surgeons, Elvis Francois, MD (Orthopedics, BIDMC) and Dr. William Robinson released an EP of inspirational cover songs to raise money for COVID relief. Now, they have recorded new music to raise awareness for American Heart Month.

The Singing Surgeons Are Making Music Again – This Time For Heart Health Awareness.

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Researchers think that combining two vaccines could strengthen immune responses by harnessing the best features of each. Dan Barouch, MD, PhD (Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, BIDMC) noted it’s possible that responses might be better than what either vaccine can achieve on its own but that remains to be proven experimentally for COVID-19.

Combining different coronavirus shots could speed immunization campaigns — and even boost immune response.

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This op-ed by Westyn Branch-Elliman, MD (Infectious Disease, BIDMC) and Kathryn Stephenson, MD, MPH (Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, BIDMC) for US News & World Report, presented the debate about reopening K-12 schools for full in-person learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, and argued how waiting until it’s “safe enough” is clearly defined, the benchmark may be elusive – and remain just around the corner for the foreseeable future.

Opening schools with zero risk may not be possible for a long while. So how long will we let our kids suffer and fall behind?

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