Work needed on better targeted Covid-19 vaccines - Asia News ... asianews.network
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$270000 in grants to providers will fund COVID-19 vaccination ... McKnight's Senior Living
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COVID Remains a Leading Cause of Death in the U.S. WebMD
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Infectious Diseases
Featured Experts:
Updated January 4, 2022
Yes. The two mRNA vaccines, Pfizer and Moderna, authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are very safe and very good at preventing serious or fatal cases of COVID-19. The risk of serious side effects associated with these vaccines is very small.
Lisa Maragakis, M.D., M.P.H., senior director of infection prevention, and Gabor Kelen, M.D., director of the Johns Hopkins Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response, answer questions about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccines.
To help catch risks or safety concerns, the CDC and FDA monitor possible safety issues with the COVID-19 vaccines. This ongoing work has led to revised recommendations for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and information about rare side effects tied to the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
At Johns Hopkins Medicine, we offer Pfizer and Moderna vaccines throughout our vaccine clinics.
This review process continues to monitor vaccine safety. Potential risks of COVID-19 vaccines are reviewed and weighed against the benefits of protection that the vaccines offer as well as the known, serious risk of harm due to COVID-19.
If you received a Johnson & Johnson vaccine more than three weeks ago, you do not need to watch for side effects related to blood clots.
If you received the J&J vaccine within the last three weeks, you should watch for possible symptoms of TTS and get medical help immediately if you have any of the following:
According to the CDC, anyone who has a severe allergy (e.g., anaphylaxis) to any of the mRNA vaccine ingredients should not receive this vaccine. The CDC says people with allergies to certain foods, insects, latex and other common allergens can safely receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Those with a history of severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to injectables or other vaccines should discuss the vaccination with their doctor, who can evaluate and assess their risk.
The relatively quick development of these vaccines does not mean safety measures were skipped. There are several reasons why the COVID-19 vaccines were developed faster than other vaccines:
Safety is always a top priority as federal agencies work with vaccine manufacturers and independent scientific organizations to develop, study, authorize and approve new vaccines. Here are some of the steps taken for COVID-19 vaccines, as well as other vaccines:
Learn more from the CDC about the safety steps for the COVID-19 vaccine.
The CDC continues to monitor the spread of COVID-19 and makes recommendations for wearing face masks, both for those who are fully vaccinated as well as people who are not fully vaccinated.
The CDC also recommends that masks and physical distancing be required when going to a doctors office, hospital or long-term care facility, including all Johns Hopkins hospitals, care centers and offices.
Johns Hopkins Medicines mask safety guidelines have not changed, and we still require everyone to wear masks inside all of our facilities.
You cannot and will not get COVID-19 from any of the vaccines. The COVID-19 vaccines do not have any virus or other infectious material in them.
What about the safety of COVID-19 vaccination for diverse groups of people?
The FDA and other reviewers closely consider diverse populations and include them in the trials. The clinical trials for the first two COVID-19 vaccines included members of underrepresented minorities and older age groups, and people with conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and heart and respiratory conditions.
Yes, we recommend that everyone who is eligible get vaccinated with one of the currently authorized mRNA COVID-19 vaccines: Pfizer or Moderna. We view both as highly effective in preventing serious disease, hospitalization and death from COVID-19 (including disease caused by the very contagious delta and omicron variants of the coronavirus), and we believe that their benefits outweigh their risks.
At Johns Hopkins Medicine, we offer Pfizer and Moderna vaccines throughout our vaccine clinics.
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The Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccineshave received full approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Lisa Maragakis, M.D., M.P.H., senior director of infection prevention, andGabor Kelen, M.D., director of the Johns Hopkins Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response, explain what that means.
Review for full FDA approval is a normal step in the process ofmaking a vaccine available for the public.
Full FDA approval takes place when enough data demonstrate that the vaccines are safe and effective for most people who receive them, and when the FDA has had an opportunity to review and approve the whole vaccine manufacturing process and facilities. After many months of studies and more than 500 million COVID-19 vaccines being given in the U.S., the FDA has a lot of information on how safe and effective the vaccines are in protecting people, how well they work to prevent severe coronavirus disease, and how the vaccines are safely and consistently manufactured.
Not every vaccine is granted an emergency use authorization before full approval. The FDA authorized three COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson) to answer an urgent need to protect people from the coronavirus pandemic, which was (and continues to be) a public health emergency.
And not every authorized vaccine becomes fully approved. For example, in December 2021, due to potential blood clots following administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, the CDC updated its recommendations. The CDC noted that the two mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna are preferred over the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which remains available for those who prefer it and for use in certain circumstances.
Full approval is granted when, over time, the FDA has amassed even more scientific evidence to support use of the COVID-19 vaccines, showing that the benefits of the vaccine are greater than its risks, and that the vaccines can be manufactured reliably, safely and with consistent quality.
Hundreds of millions of COVID-19 vaccine doses have been given to people in countries all over the world.
People who get the vaccines are encouraged to report any problems, including any severe side effects. A cooperative effort between the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the FDA, the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) collects and analyzes reports from people who received a vaccination and who experienced an adverse event, such as a severe side effect, after getting the shot.
As a result, we now have even more evidence that the two FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines are safe for most people who receive them, and that they work well to help prevent severe coronavirus disease, hospitalization or death.
Like other fully approved vaccines used to help prevent illnesses, the FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines can cause temporary aches, pains and fever in some people, but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.
For over a century, FDA-authorized and approved vaccines have prevented potentially serious diseases such as measles, influenza and whooping cough. Vaccinations have helped reduce and prevent deadly outbreaks of smallpox and polio. The approval system for vaccines uses scientific data and exacting standards to ensure safe and effective vaccines. These review process includes:
Learn more aboutCOVID-19 vaccine safety and side effects.
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Full FDA Approval of a COVID-19 Vaccine: What You Should Know
Johns Hopkins Medicine and community partners are working together for vaccine and health equity. Watch our collection of videos addressing vaccine equity.
Johns Hopkins Medicine y las organizaciones locales anan esfuerzos para que la poblacin tenga acceso a las vacunas y a servicios mdicos adecuados. En estos vdeos abordaremos la igualdad de acceso a las vacunas.
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COVID-19 Vaccination Information and Updates - Johns Hopkins Medicine
The development of the COVID-19 vaccines did not cut corners on testing for safety and efficacy. The vaccines were made using processes that have been developed and tested over many years, and which are designed to make and thoroughly test vaccines quickly in case of an infectious disease pandemic such as COVID-19. The vaccines themselves were extensively tested by independent scientists, and more than 100 million people in the U.S. have been safely vaccinated.
The vaccines do not contain live coronavirus, and you cannot and will not get COVID-19 from getting vaccinated. After the shots, you might experience a sore arm, a mild fever or body aches, but this doesnt mean you have COVID-19. These symptoms, if they happen at all, are temporary, usually lasting only a day or two. They signal a natural response as your bodys immune system learns to recognize and fight the coronavirus. On the other hand, getting COVID-19 can make you seriously ill, with symptoms that linger for months or even longer. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccine safety.
The COVID-19 vaccines work with your immune system so your body will be ready to fight the coronavirus if you are exposed to it including coronavirus variants such as delta. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, getting the vaccine is a powerful step in taking charge of your health. When given as directed, the FDA-authorized vaccines can prevent severe COVID-19 illness and death.
COVID-19 affects everyone, so scientists made sure clinical trial participants for the vaccines were diverse. The clinical trials for the first two COVID-19 vaccines included Black (about 10% of participants) and Hispanic (about 20% of participants) people, older age groups (about 25%), and people with conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and heart and respiratory conditions. The U.S. study participants for the one-shot COVID-19 vaccine were 15% Hispanic/Latinx; 13% Black/African American; 6% Asian and 1% Native American.
The CDC says people with allergies to certain foods, insects, latex and other common allergens can get a COVID-19 vaccine. If you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to a vaccine, be sure to discuss that with your doctor, who can evaluate you and assess your risk. However, if you are severely allergic to any of the coronavirus vaccines ingredients, you should not be vaccinated.
Generations of health inequities have caused Black and Hispanic/Latin Americans and other communities of color to be overrepresented in severe COVID-19 cases and deaths. People of color are vulnerable to COVID-19 risk factors, and are more likely to be working front-line, essential jobs that cannot be performed from home, increasing their chances of being infected. Getting vaccinated can provide protection for you and those you love.
A study published in August 2021 indicates that if you had COVID-19 before and are not vaccinated, your risk of getting reinfected is more than two times higher than for those who were infected and got vaccinated.
While evidence suggests there is some level of immunity for those who previously had COVID, it is not known how long you are protected from getting COVID-19 again. Plus, the level of immunity provided by the vaccines after having COVID-19 is higher than the level of immunity for those who had COVID but were not subsequently vaccinated.
Getting vaccinated provides greater protection to others since the vaccine helps reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Older people and those living with chronic medical conditions such as heart disease and diabetes are more likely to experience severe even fatal cases of COVID-19 if they catch it. The more people who receive the coronavirus vaccines, the sooner vulnerable people can feel safe among others. Also, since every COVID-19 infection gives the coronavirus a chance to mutate, being vaccinated helps prevent variants.
After over a year of coronavirus pandemic closures, cancellations and postponements, everyone is eager to think about returning to work, school, sports, family celebrations and social activities. Though no one is sure when the pandemic will be over, every person who gets protection from the coronavirus by getting a vaccination helps us move closer to normal life.
Johns Hopkins Medicine agrees with and strongly supports the recommendations of the CDC and other organizations who recommend that all pregnant or lactating individuals, along with those trying to get pregnant, be vaccinated against COVID-19. Find out more about the vaccine and pregnancy.
People hesitate to get vaccinated for COVID-19 for many reasons, from personal views and fears to logistical problems getting to vaccine sites. But waiting too long to be vaccinated allows the coronavirus to continue spreading in the community, with new variants emerging. Severe COVID-19 can be very dangerous: The sooner you get vaccinated, the sooner you are protected.
Do your research: Your questions are important, and getting the right answers from reliable sources can add to your peace of mind. Talk to your family doctor and people you know who have been vaccinated and learn all you can about the COVID-19 vaccine so you can make the most informed decision about getting vaccinated.
Originally posted here:
Infectious Diseases
Featured Experts:
Updated November 9, 2022
As of Oct. 12, 2022, the new COVID-19 booster recommendations for people ages 5 years and older is to receive 1 bivalent mRNA booster after completion of a monovalent primary series or previously received monovalent booster dose(s); these recommendations replace all prior booster recommendations for this age group.
The CDC recommends a bivalent (containing components of both the original strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the omicron variant of the virus) COVID-19 booster for people ages 5 years and older. The bivalent vaccines, which offer better protection against COVID-19 caused by the omicron variant than the earlier, monovalent vaccines, have been authorized for use as a single booster dose administered at least two months after primary or booster vaccination. The monovalent COVID-19 vaccines will no longer be available for booster doses in patients over the age of 5. However, the monovalent vaccines will remain available for the primary vaccine series in all patients and for booster doses in patients younger than 5 years old.
Visit theCDCs COVID-19 vaccine and booster pagefor more details.
A COVID booster shot is an additional dose or doses of a vaccine given after the protection provided by the original shot(s) has begun to decrease over time. The booster helps people maintain strong protection from severe coronavirus disease.
After getting vaccinated for COVID-19, you might experience some temporary symptoms similar to those you might notice when you get a flu shot, such as a sore, swollen arm where you got the shot. You might run a fever and experience body aches, headaches and tiredness for a day or two. Chills, swollen lymph nodes can also occur.
These symptoms do not mean you are sick. They signal that your immune system is responding to the shots and building up protection against the coronavirus.
A COVID-19boosteris given when a person has completed their vaccine series, and protection against the virus has decreased over time. Depending on the original series you had, some details will vary. Please review theCDCs booster guidelinesfor detailsand talk to your health care provider if you are not sure if you meet these guidelines. Please note, if you receive the Moderna booster, you will receive half of the original Moderna dose.
Anadditional doseis administered to people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems. This additional dose is intended to improve immunocompromised peoples response to their initial vaccine series. Depending on the original series given, some details will vary. For more details, please review the CDCs information for moderately to severely immunocompromised people and talk to your health care provider if you are not sure if you meet these guidelines.
Get information and updates from Johns Hopkins Medicine.
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Booster Shots and Additional Doses for COVID-19 Vaccines What You ...
Infectious Diseases
Featured Expert:
Updated on May 18, 2022
Getting vaccinated for COVID-19 is an important way to protect yourself from potentially serious effects of the coronavirus. Likewise, getting regular mammograms as your doctor recommends can keep you safer by catching breast cancers early, when they might be easier to treat.
There is no connection between the COVID-19 vaccine and breast cancer. But what should women know about how the COVID-19 shots might affect the results of their mammograms?Lisa Mullen, M.D., a radiologist who specializes inbreast imaging, offers some perspective and answers your questions.
Mullen says, Lymph nodes under the arm where a person has gotten a vaccine can become enlarged as part of the normal immune response to the vaccine.
Not all vaccines cause swollen lymph nodes, but ones that cause a more intense immune response, such as the COVID-19 vaccine, some shingles vaccines, and others, are more likely to affect them. The COVID-19 vaccine is a new type of vaccine, and people are reacting strongly to it, Mullen says. That heightened immune response is normal and expected.
She adds that even the yearly flu shot can affect the lymph nodes. Every year, flu vaccine season corresponds with breast cancer awareness month, so some patients are getting mammograms when they have enlarged nodes due to the flu shot.
That being said, the Society of Breast Imaging and the Johns Hopkins breast imaging division do not recommend a delay between receiving the vaccine and scheduling your screening mammogram.
During the winter of 2021, the Society of Breast Imaging released conservative guidelines related to COVID-19 vaccines and screening mammograms. The recommendations based on the limited information available at that time included a four- to six-week delay between receiving a vaccine and getting a screening mammogram, as well as other suggestions for management of enlarged lymph nodes.
Since that initial release, multiple studies have been published about this topic. It is now understood that enlarged lymph nodes from a COVID-19 vaccine can be seen over a long period of time, up to several months. After reviewing the new information, the Society of Breast Imaging released updated guidelines in February 2022. The new recommendation is no delay between a vaccine and a screening mammogram.
At Johns Hopkins Medical Imaging, your health and safety are our top priority.
During the scheduling process and before your exam, you may be asked if you have received a COVID-19 vaccine, the date you received it, and in which arm it was given.
The most important thing patients should understand is that there is no danger of breast cancer associated with the COVID-19 vaccine, and you should plan on getting your vaccines as soon as you are eligible, Mullen says.
Were doing our best to educate patients and avoid unnecessary recalls, tests and anxiety. We want patients to rest assured that a temporary enlargement of the lymph nodes after the COVID-19 vaccine just means the immune system is doing its job.
Get information and updates from Johns Hopkins Medicine.
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