COVID-19

Although there have been many challenges and concerns during the pandemic, experts said there are also lessons to be learned and implemented once the pandemic is over.

The CDC recommends that patients with cancer and COVID-19 have a conversation with their health care provider or care team to discuss the individual level of risk based on the patient’s current condition, treatment, and the level of transmission within their community.

APhA commended President Biden’s signing of the executive order in a press release, noting that adequate drug supply would be critical to ensuring pharmacists’ ability to provide care to patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Amesh Adalja, MD, FIDSA, FACP, FACEP, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, discusses how Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine provides effective support in prevention of severe disease and hospitalization.

It has taken both time and effort to address the equitable allocation of COVID-19 vaccinations, and in communities such as Prince George’s County in Maryland, significant effort has been made to address barriers to access.

In the LinkedIn Live session, “The Road Toward Vaccine Equity Webinar,” Walgreens highlighted their efforts toward helping fill the important gaps in care that address the unique concerns of minority communities.

As a majority of advanced pharmacy practice experiences need to include direct patient care, immunizing provides students an opportunity to provide this care along with consultation around the COVID-19 vaccine and adverse effects.

Approximately 2 million doses of Johnson & Johnson's single-dose COVID-19 vaccine are ready to ship and supply is expected to sharply increase, with up to 20 million doses available by the end of March.

In voting in favor of the recommendation, 22 committee members unanimously agreed that the benefits of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine outweigh its risks.

The flexibility could allow for easier storage and increased accessibility of the vaccine.

Pharmacy Times® interviewed Amesh Adalja, MD, FIDSA, FACP, FACEP, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, on how the proposed EUA for Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose vaccine may impact the COVID-19 vaccine distribution and administration process.

Pharmacy Times® interviewed Kenneth Thorpe, PhD, the former deputy assistant secretary at the HHS during the Clinton administration, on how pandemic preparedness lessons from COVID-19 may help to tackle the antimicrobial resistance health crisis.

Study findings illustrate the need for better communication between health care providers and patients experiencing concerns during the pandemic.

The vaccine has been shown to induce mucosal immunity in the nasal cavity, which may be effective in blocking transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

The current surge peaked on January 11, 2021, but took just 5 days to decrease by 10%, compared to 22 days following the first peak in April 2020.

SARS-CoV-2 belongs to a family of human coronaviruses, most of which are characterized by increased transmission in cooler, less humid months and decreased transmission in warmer, more humid months.

Pharmacists can play an important role in educating the public about the safety of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines.

Study findings suggest that enhanced cleaning and disinfecting policies are effective at reducing the spread of COVID-19.

In a CDC press briefing, experts said the vaccine’s single-dose approach will enable more mobile units and pop-up events to vaccinate hard-to-reach populations.

A global phase 2/3 study of opaganib in patients with severe COVID-19 is set to be expanded, following FDA review of the data from the phase 2 study of the drug and RedHill Biopharma’s receipt of its recommendations.

The FDA could issue an emergency use authorization as soon as this weekend for the single-shot COVID-19 vaccine.

The estimate is based on a new analysis of out-of-pocket costs for influenza-related hospitalizations in 2018 that were paid by people with Medicare Advantage plans, which are Medicare plans run by private insurance companies.

Investigators found significant decreases in heart rate among patients with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome who received ivabradine for 1 month.

Researchers in Australia analyzed data from 57 studies with an overall sample size of 587,280 individuals. Approximately 350,000 people in the pool had been infected with COVID-19 from Asia, Europe, and North and South America.

Although challenges around COVID-19 vaccine production and delivery have been addressed and improved in recent months, problems have continued in the implementation of a national vaccination program.

Should workers be required to receive immunizations to protect public well-being?

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a significant decline in the volume of overall heart surgeries, as well as an increase in deaths following coronary artery bypass grafting, according to research.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection rate among pregnant women was estimated to be 70% higher than in similarly aged adults in Washington state.

This week on Pharmacy Times, there are a number of important topics that will be covered and posted throughout the week.

High levels of humidity promote mucocilliary clearance, which is a defense mechanism that removes mucus and potentially harmful particles from the lungs.