The bottom line is that the more often you use the tests, the better, said Dr. Michael Mina, an epidemiologist at Harvard and a proponent of rapid testing. (Dr. Mina advises Detect, Inc., a diagnostics company working on a rapid molecular test.) If you want to spend time with a medically vulnerable person, you should take a test a few days before seeing them, and then take another test on the day of the visit. Think about, How do I test as close as possible to the thing that Im doing? Dr. Mina said. When I go visit my parents, I always bring rapid tests with me. Right before I walk in the door, I use the test in my car.
Most of the time, a positive result means you have the coronavirus, particularly if you have symptoms. But false positives do happen. Recently, Ellume, an Australian company, recalled nearly 200,000 test kits because of concerns about a higher-than-expected rate of false positives.
If theres reason to doubt a positive result, take another test, preferably from a different manufacturer or at a testing center. People hosting large events, like weddings, and using the tests to screen guests should have a few extra tests on hand from a different brand for those guests who test positive. You can be confident in the result if the second test is negative, Dr. Mina said.
It would be really rare for someone to have a true positive and then have a second test show a false negative result, he said. If youre having a dinner, you may as well just cancel dinner if someone tests positive. But if its a high consequence event, like youre having a wedding and flying somewhere, and youre going to screen a few hundred people, you may get a false positive and want to test again.
Although supplies are expected to improve in the coming weeks, the tests can be difficult to find right now. Try the websites of stores like CVS, Walgreens, Costco or Walmart or check with a local drugstore. I recently searched the CVS website for a friend in New Jersey and found BinaxNow tests at a store about 30 minutes away. When he arrived, he found the shelves stacked with tests.
A word of warning: Make sure you search by brand name. If a store is sold out of a rapid test, the website may direct you to a different type of test, called a home collection test, that requires you to mail the sample to get the result. But hold out until you find a rapid test. The fact that they are rapid, Dr. Gronvall, of Johns Hopkins, said, is what makes them a really great test to make sure somebody is not infectious at that moment.
LONDONCoronavirus infections among schoolchildren in the U.K. have pushed daily caseloads to stubbornly high levels, a setback that underscores how Britain now trails many of its European neighbors on vaccination after staking out an early lead.
The U.K. began vaccinating teenagers in August, far later than in the U.S. and Europe, and decided to drop almost all public-health restrictions during the summer, amid optimism that vaccines had checked the fast-spreading Delta variant.
RICHMOND, Va. -- The health department reported 18,831 more people tested positive for COVID-19 out of the +272,437 total tests processed over the past week. That brings Virginia's total number of coronavirus cases to 888,159.
As of Friday's update, 37,264 (+553 from the Friday before) people had been hospitalized and 13,075 (+269) people had died as a result of COVID-19-related illnesses, according to updated Virginia Department of Health (VDH) data.
Scroll down for complete city/county-by-county breakdown of COVID-19 cases in Virginia
These localities saw the biggest jumps (100 or more) in COVID-19 cases last week (Oct. 2-8):
Central Virginia
Chesterfield 38,072 ( +704 )Henrico 33,230 ( +442 )Richmond City 23,145 ( +341 )Hanover 11,257 ( +233 )Louisa 3,022 ( +116 )
Hampton Roads
Virginia Beach 48,362 ( +682 )Chesapeake 27,861 ( +403 )Norfolk 23,629 ( +321 )Newport News 19,864 ( +356 )Hampton 14,554 ( +215 )Portsmouth 12,213 ( +220 )James City 6,714 ( +168 )Suffolk 10,518 ( +180 )
Northern Virginia
Fairfax 89,473 ( +862 )Prince William 53,386 ( +581 )Loudoun 33,175 ( +310 )Spotsylvania 14,266 ( +332 )Stafford 15,332 ( +273 )Arlington 18,046 ( +212 )Alexandria 13,850 ( +148 )
Additional Localities:
Frederick 11,045 ( +314 )Roanoke City 11,583 ( +258 )Augusta 9,836 ( +260 )Roanoke County 11,242 ( +260 )Bedford 9,485 ( +220 )Lynchburg 11,435 ( +238 )Pittsylvania 7,696 ( +192 )Smyth 4,493 ( +191 )Washington 7,192 ( +191 )Shenandoah 5,995 ( +171 )Wise 4,883 ( +171 )Rockingham 8,930 ( +156 )Fauquier 6,636 ( +151 )Campbell 6,852 ( +146 )Henry 6,129 ( +141 )Montgomery 11,458 ( +135 )Danville 6,020 ( +131 )Salem 3,224 ( +128 )Warren 4,680 ( +126 )Albemarle 7,709 ( +123 )Botetourt 3,586 ( +118 )Franklin County 5,724 ( +116 )Russell 3,555 ( +113 )Wythe 4,255 ( +106 )Page 3,201 ( +102 )Pulaski 3,861 ( +102 )Harrisonburg 8,027 ( +101 )Carroll 3,686 ( +100 )Culpeper 6,196 ( +100 )
City/County-by-County Breakdown of Cases (Oct. 2-8)
Accomack 3,892 ( +76 )Albemarle 7,709 ( +123 )Alexandria 13,850 ( +148 )Alleghany 2,014 ( +53 )Amelia 1,332 ( +22 )Amherst 4,178 ( +61 )Appomattox 2,304 ( +46 )Arlington 18,046 ( +212 )Augusta 9,836 ( +260 )
Bath 429 ( +9 )Bedford 9,485 ( +220 )Bland 1,037 ( +14 )Botetourt 3,586 ( +118 )Bristol 2,191 ( +27 )Brunswick 1,741 ( +33 )Buchanan 2,230 ( +69 )Buckingham 2,577 ( +51 )Buena Vista City 1,207 ( +32 )
Campbell 6,852 ( +146 )Caroline 3,702 ( +83 )Carroll 3,686 ( +100 )Charles City 653 ( +3 )Charlotte 1,203 ( +27 )Charlottesville 5,175 ( +59 )Chesapeake 27,861 ( +403 )Chesterfield 38,072 ( +704 )Clarke 1,296 ( +23 )Colonial Heights 2,492 ( +57 )Covington 731 ( +2 )Craig 501 ( +25 )Culpeper 6,196 ( +100 )Cumberland 690 ( +9 )
Danville 6,020 ( +131 )Dickenson 1,518 ( +64 )Dinwiddie 2,993 ( +72 )
Emporia 851 ( +10 )Essex 1,169 ( +24 )
Fairfax 89,473 ( +862 )Fairfax City 638 ( +4 )Falls Church 530 ( +8 )Fauquier 6,636 ( +151 )Floyd 1,341 ( +24 )Fluvanna 2,506 ( +54 )Franklin City 1,569 ( +49 )Franklin County 5,724 ( +116 )Frederick 11,045 ( +314 )Fredericksburg 2,949 ( +61 )
Galax 1,451 ( +14 )Giles 2,131 ( +48 )Gloucester 3,722 ( +81 )Goochland 1,910 ( +34 )Grayson 1,965 ( +31 )Greene 2,106 ( +69 )Greensville 1,837 ( +19 )
Halifax 3,677 ( +99 )Hampton 14,554 ( +215 )Hanover 11,257 ( +233 )Harrisonburg 8,027 ( +101 )Henrico 33,230 ( +442 )Henry 6,129 ( +141 )Highland 165 ( +4 )Hopewell 3,595 ( +59 )
Isle of Wight 4,263 ( +99 )
James City 6,714 ( +168 )
King and Queen 592 ( +11 )King George 2,477 ( +81 )King William 1,812 ( +38 )
Lancaster 1,038 ( +17 )Lee 3,538 ( +85 )Lexington 1,525 ( +19 )Loudoun 33,175 ( +310 )Louisa 3,022 ( +116 )Lunenburg 1,025 ( +20 )Lynchburg 11,435 ( +238 )
Madison 940 ( +29 )Manassas City 4,942 ( +68 )Manassas Park 1,262 ( +3 )Martinsville 1,955 ( +25 )Mathews 866 ( +16 )Mecklenburg 3,260 ( +95 )Middlesex 914 ( +21 )Montgomery 11,458 ( +135 )
Nelson 1,274 ( +32 )New Kent 2,215 ( +66 )Newport News 19,864 ( +356 )Norfolk 23,629 ( +321 )Northampton 1,110 ( +24 )Northumberland 1,147 ( +11 )Norton 527 ( +22 )Nottoway 2,505 ( +24 )
Orange 3,481 ( +96 )
Page 3,201 ( +102 )Patrick 1,937 ( +46 )Petersburg 5,118 ( +73 )Pittsylvania 7,696 ( +192 )Poquoson 1,271 ( +42 )Portsmouth 12,213 ( +220 )Powhatan 2,687 ( +83 )Prince Edward 2,830 ( +48 )Prince George 4,783 ( +89 )Prince William 53,386 ( +581 )Pulaski 3,861 ( +102 )
Radford 2,832 ( +20 )Rappahannock 538 ( +18 )Richmond City 23,145 ( +341 )Richmond County 1,676 ( +34 )Roanoke City 11,583 ( +258 )Roanoke County 11,242 ( +260 )Rockbridge 2,008 ( +35 )Rockingham 8,930 ( +156 )Russell 3,555 ( +113 )
Salem 3,224 ( +128 )Scott 2,874 ( +88 )Shenandoah 5,995 ( +171 )Smyth 4,493 ( +191 )Southampton 2,331 ( +49 )Spotsylvania 14,266 ( +332 )Stafford 15,332 ( +273 )Staunton 3,279 ( +58 )Suffolk 10,518 ( +180 )Surry 575 ( +10 )Sussex 1,507 ( +24 )
Tazewell 5,453 ( +77 )
Virginia Beach 48,362 ( +682 )
Warren 4,680 ( +126 )Washington 7,192 ( +191 )Waynesboro 3,351 ( +69 )Westmoreland 1,726 ( +39 )Williamsburg 1,105 (+23)Winchester 3,618 ( +34 )Wise 4,883 ( +171 )Wythe 4,255 ( +106 )
York 5,211 ( +99 )
VDH
Who's getting sick
The coronavirus first most impacted people aged 50 to 69, which currently accounts for 23.1% of cases in Virginia.
However, people in their 20s now account for 19% of cases in the state.
Additionally, people aged 30 to 49 are 30.9% of cases, data show.
And stats show children and teens account for 18.5% of cases.
More women have been infected by the virus at 458,540 cases versus the 423,094 cases reported in men. No gender was reported for 6,525 cases in the Commonwealth.
WTVR
Virginians age 12+ are eligible for COVID-19 vaccine. Pre-registration is no longer required, so go to Vaccine Finder to search for specific vaccines available near you or call 877-VAX-IN-VA (877-275-8343).
Have You Been Fully Vaccinated?
People are considered fully vaccinated:
Virginia Department of Health
How to Protect Yourself and Others When Youve Been Fully Vaccinated
COVID-19 vaccines are effective at protecting you from getting sick. Based on what we know about COVID-19 vaccines, people who have been fully vaccinated can start to do some things that they had stopped doing because of the pandemic.
Were still learning how vaccines will affect the spread of COVID-19. After youve been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, you should keep taking precautionslike wearing a mask, staying 6 feet apart from others, and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spacesin public places until we know more.
These recommendations can help you make decisions about daily activities after you are fully vaccinated.
They are not intended for healthcare settings.Click here for more information from the Virginia Department of Health.
Depend on CBS 6 News and WTVR.com for the most complete coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic.
RICHMOND, Va. -- In an effort to provide accurate, easy-to-read information on the COVID-19 pandemic and on-going vaccination efforts, WTVR.com will update this post weekly with statistics from the Virginia Department of Health.
COVID-19 IN VIRGINIA (Scroll to bottom for U.S. stats)
Positive COVID-19 Cases Since Start of Pandemic: 888,159 (+18,831 from last Friday)People Hospitalized Since Start of Pandemic: 37,264 (+553 from last Friday)COVID-19-Linked Deaths Since Start of Pandemic: 13,075 (+269 from last Friday)
Total Tests: 13,127,263 (+272,437 from last Friday)All Health Districts Current 7-Day Positivity Rate Total: 8.2% (Down from 9.0% last Friday)
People Vaccinated with at least One Dose: 5,830,729 (+46,370 from last Friday)% of Population with at least One Dose: 68.3% (Up from 67.8% last Friday) People Fully Vaccinated: 5,196,313 (+50,920 from last Friday)% of Population Fully Vaccinated: 60.9% (Up from 60.3% last Friday)
Click here for complete city/county-by-county breakdown of COVID-19 cases in Virginia
NOTE: This update data is provided from the Virginia Department of Health daily at 10 a.m. Officials said their cutoff for data is 5 p.m. the previous day. (Cases/testing data is now available Monday-Friday while vaccination data is updated seven days a week.) Get the latest charts and updated numbers from VDH here.
**Scroll down for week-to-week COVID cases comparison**
WTVR
VACCINATE VIRGINIA: Virginians age 12+ are eligible for COVID-19 vaccine. Register for the COVID-19 vaccine on the Vaccinate Virginia website or call 877-VAX-IN-VA (877-275-8343). You can also search for specific vaccines as well as which ones are available near you via the Vaccine Finder website.
VACCINE SUPPLY USAGE
COMPLETE COVERAGE: COVID-19 HEADLINES (App users, click here for a complete list.)
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9:30 PM, Oct 09, 2021
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WTVR CBS 6 Web Staff
9:03 PM, Oct 09, 2021
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3:14 PM, Oct 08, 2021
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National News
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9:27 AM, Oct 08, 2021
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8:06 AM, Oct 08, 2021
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3:41 PM, Oct 07, 2021
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3:04 PM, Oct 07, 2021
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2:34 PM, Oct 07, 2021
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4:50 PM, Oct 06, 2021
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3:49 PM, Oct 06, 2021
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2:48 PM, Oct 06, 2021
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1:57 PM, Oct 06, 2021
TRACKING COVID IN VIRGINIA: WEEK-BY-WEEK COMPARISON
Week of Oct. 4-8 Positive COVID-19 Cases : +18,831People Hospitalized: +553 COVID-19-Linked Deaths: +269
Week of Sept. 27-Oct. 1 Positive COVID-19 Cases : +19,463People Hospitalized: +579COVID-19-Linked Deaths: +295
Week of Sept. 20-24Positive COVID-19 Cases : +22,668 People Hospitalized: +718COVID-19-Linked Deaths: +269
Week of Sept. 13-17Positive COVID-19 Cases : +25,370 People Hospitalized: +718COVID-19-Linked Deaths: +233
Week of Sept. 6-10Positive COVID-19 Cases : +23,660People Hospitalized: +670COVID-19-Linked Deaths: +137
Week of Aug. 30 - Sept. 3
Positive COVID-19 Cases : +23,515People Hospitalized: +682 COVID-19-Linked Deaths: +130
Week of Aug. 23-27
Positive COVID-19 Cases: +20,573 People Hospitalized: +674 COVID-19-Linked Deaths: +122
Week of Aug. 16-20
Positive COVID-19 Cases: +16,253 People Hospitalized: +577 COVID-19-Linked Deaths: +48
Week of Aug. 9-13
Positive COVID-19 Case: +13,162 People Hospitalized: +465 COVID-19-Linked Deaths : +41
Week of Aug. 2-6
Positive COVID-19 Cases: +10,280 People Hospitalized: +292 COVID-19-Linked Deaths: +26
Hospitals, Clinics, County-run Sites
Skip to Make an Appointment
Skip to Make an Appointment
With the goal of making a COVID-19 vaccine available to all persons who choose to receive it, health care officials have developed a phased-approach to first make the vaccine available to high-risk health care workers, skilled nursing and long-term care facilities, and first responders. Vaccinations began on December 16, 2020 in San Bernardino County and are continuing.
Vaccine Locations and Registration
COVID-19 vaccines are available to people 12 and older who live and work in San Bernardino County.
Walk-ins are now available at County-operated vaccination sites. Walk-in individuals will not need to bring any additional information to the site, however be prepared to register on site, which will include answering health screening questions.
Walk-ins may experience longer wait times and availability may vary based on site demand.
Appointments are Park and Walk In.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccinations were introduced in the United States in December 2020. Initially, COVID-19 vaccines were made available to nursing home residents and healthcare workers but were then rolled out differently according to state, but mainly prioritizing the elderly.
Study: Associations Between County-level Vaccination Rates and COVID-19 Outcomes Among Medicare Beneficiaries. Image Credit: CameraCraft/ Shutterstock
The first vaccine types to be rolled out were the Pfizer and Moderna in December, of which two doses were required, several weeks apart. Following these, the Johnson and Johnson vaccine was made available in February 2021, which only requires a single dose.
The high efficacy of these vaccines was shown in the initial clinical trials in preventing severe COVID-19 and continued protection against emerging severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants. However, the effectiveness could be slightly lower.
The authors of a study available on ASPE* identified the associations between COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths among Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) beneficiaries and the fully vaccinated population at the county-level between January and May 2021.
When the COVID-19 vaccinations were first rolled out, weekly vaccination rates in January were less than 1% for the age groups 18-64 and 65+, but by the last week of May, the rates increased to a total of 47% and 80%.
Considering the risk of COVID-19 infection, among individuals who were 65 or older, a 10% increase in the COVID-19 vaccination rate was associated with an 11% decrease in the chance of infection, with an estimated reduction between 9-12%. For those aged between 18 and 64, a 10% increase in vaccinations was associated with approximately an 11% and 12% decrease in the odds of hospitalizations and deaths due to COVID-19.
Among Medicare beneficiaries, the rates of COVID-19 vaccinations were associated with an estimated 17-21% reduction in infections and an estimated 21-25% reduction in deaths across ethnic and racial groups.
Alaska Natives and American Indians displayed the largest reduction, with an estimated reduction in infections of 21% and a reduction in deaths of 25%, compared to 18% and 22% among White beneficiaries. White beneficiaries accounted for the largest estimated number of reductions in COVID-19 outcomes, who made up 81% of the study cohort.
Among Black beneficiaries, the authors estimated reductions of 29,000 infections and almost 4,600 deaths in the Medicare population, 29.000 infection and almost 5,000 death reductions in Hispanic beneficiaries, almost 7,600 infection and 1,400 reductions in Asian beneficiaries, and reductions of 2,000 infections and 400 deaths in Alaska Native and American Indian beneficiaries within the Medicare population.
Long-term nursing home residents are a group of individuals at a significantly high risk of serious health complications and death if they become infected with SARS-CoV-2. They are disproportionally affected by COVID-19.
For long-term nursing home residents, vaccine administration was associated with estimated reductions of almost 8,400 infections, 1,900 hospitalizations, and 2,200 deaths within the cohort study. When projected to the total Medicare population, it translates to an estimated reduction of almost all 21,000 infections, 4,900 hospitalizations, and 5,600 deaths.
In comparison to community-based beneficiaries, long-term nursing home residents were less likely to be hospitalized, but this may be due to them already residing in a healthcare setting.
This study shows that among the Medicare population in early 2021, COVID-19 vaccinations were associated with thousands of fewer deaths. This was displayed via population-level regression-based estimates and is consistent with the evidence on the clinical effectiveness of the vaccines. The authors hypothesize that more Medicare beneficiaries are expected to be saved from hospitalizations and deaths related to COVID-19 as cumulative vaccination rates continue to rise.
*This content is in the process of Section 508 review. If you need immediate assistance accessing this content, please submit a request to Wafa Tarazi, (202) 260-1809, [emailprotected] Content will be updated pending the outcome of the Section 508 review.
Journal reference:
Free COVID-19 shots and saliva testing to be provided to residents
Union County, NJ The Union County Board of County Commissioners informs residents of the free COVID-19 vaccines and testing available at convenient pop-up clinics throughout the County during the month of October. The upcoming clinics will be held in Plainfield, Roselle Park, Union, Scotch Plains, Westfield, and Roselle.
Third doses and boosters of the Pfizer vaccine for eligible residents will also be available at the upcoming mobile clinics. To check eligibility for a third dose, visit: https://ucnj.org/covid19/covid-19-pfizer-booster-dose/.
In addition to free vaccinations, residents can also get a free COVID-19 saliva test at any of the pop-up clinics. Residents can also get vaccinated for COVID-19 at Union Countys permanent vaccine clinics. For an updated list of permanent sites, residents can visit: https://ucnj.org/covid19/vaccinations-page/. Vaccines are also available weekdays on a walk-in basis at the Union County Immunization Clinic located at 40 Parker Road in Elizabeth.
Due to variant strains of COVID-19, we strongly urge residents to get their vaccine as soon as possible, said Union County Commissioner Board Chairman Alexander Mirabella. Residents who are eligible for a third dose should also make an appointment as soon as possible for added protection.
Union County began offering pop-up COVID-19 vaccination clinics in local communities earlier this year, in order to reach vulnerable populations including seniors, homeless individuals, and others who would have difficulty traveling to a centralized vaccine site.
The Board of County Commissioners will continue to provide residents with opportunities for vaccination and testing, said Commissioner and Chair of the Public Safety Committee Sergio Granados. Easy access to vaccines and testing remains our focus as vaccination is key to keeping Union County residents safe as we continue to navigate COVID-19 and its variants.
The Countys pop-up program has now expanded to include all age-approved Union County residents. Currently, any resident age 12 and older is eligible for the Pfizer vaccine. Eligibility for the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines begins at age 18. Those who receive the first dose of a two dose vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) at one of Union Countys Mobile Vaccinations Clinics will receive instructions as to how and when to receive their second dose. Currently, third doses of the two dose vaccines are available for immunocompromised residents.
Any Union County resident can make an appointment at any of the following clinics, regardless of their home town:
Appointments at the pop-up clinics or permanent vaccine sites can be booked online by creating an account at ucnj.org/vax. Residents looking to visit the Immunization Clinic for a free COVID-19 vaccine can walk in Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Union County residents who are home-bound or have difficulty leaving the home can arrange for a home vaccination visit by contacting Union Countys service provider, Mobile Medical Services. Call 1-833-256-2478 during regular weekday business hours to speak with an operator, leave a voice message after hours to receive a callback, or email a callback request to vaccine@mmst.io. Messages are returned on the following business day.
For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Union County COVID-19 Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit, vaccination information, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.
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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.
Connect with Union County on social media.
The announcement comes the same day that Pfizer asked the U.S. government Thursday to allow the use of its COVID-19 vaccine in children ages 5 to 11.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. 70% of adults in North Carolina have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reported Thursday.
The announcement comes the same day that Pfizer asked the U.S. government Thursday to allow the use of its COVID-19 vaccine in children ages five to 11. Shots could come in a few weeks if regulators agree.
"COVID-19 vaccines have proven to be our best tool for preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19," NCDHHS Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. said.
Seventy percent of North Carolinians have sought out reliable information and decided to protect themselves and others with tested, safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines," she explained. "If youre not vaccinated, its not too late. Just dont wait."
WCNC Charlotte answered some of your looming questions about the COVID-19 vaccine and booster shots here.
Visit MySpot.nc.gov for more COVID-19 information and updates and to find a vaccine location near you.
Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!
Epic's COVID-19 vaccine mandate for employees went into effect on Friday. The electronic health record vendor said that most workers had chosen to be vaccinated, but fewer than 0.5% had chosen to leave the company instead.
Given that there are about 9,600 people at company headquarters in Verona, Wisconsin, that equates to fewer than 50 employees quitting over the requirement.
"The vast majority of staff support vaccinations and understand it plays a critical role in the safety of everyone, including our customers and their patients," said Epic in a statement to Healthcare IT News.
Epic did not respond to questions about whether the employees in question had been offered severance.
Epic first announced the requirement at the beginning of August, along with the establishment of new mask-wearing policies.
At that point, it said, about 97% of the employees had already been vaccinated. Epic's competitor, Cerner, announced its own vaccine mandate this week, saying all U.S. employees must have received their shots by December 8.
"Although no vaccine prevents all infections, the COVID-19 vaccines have been proven safe and highly effective," said officials from Cerners pandemic task force in a note to employees Friday, as reported by the Kansas City Star. "Vaccination remains the most effective way of reducing the incidence and severity of the virus."
The companies' respective work-from-home policies at the companies are also markedlydifferent: Epic has brought the majority of employees back to the office, while Cerner has offered a hybrid in-person/remote-work environment, with the expectation of employees returning to offices in early 2022.
Kat Jercich is senior editor of Healthcare IT News.Twitter: @kjercichEmail: kjercich@himss.orgHealthcare IT News is a HIMSS Media publication.
Over 13,000 children across the country have enrolled in the trial for Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine, including 9-year-old Althea Madden from Kentucky.
"My visits they were very simple like my dad said ... a simple shot, a blood draw," Althea told local outlet WYMT. "There was also a nose swab and we did a couple of telemeds."
Althea's father, Dr. Jared Madden, an osteopathic specialist out of Manchester, and mother Kerri, made the decision to vaccinate their youngest daughter through the trial in an effort to protect her, to help with the research effort, and to encourage others that the vaccine is safe.
BIDEN TO PUSH COVID-19 VACCINE MANDATES FOR BUSINESSES IN ILLINOIS VISIT
Other families "may not know virology, they may not know immunology but they know Dr. Maddens kid had it," Jared said of the vaccine. "[I dont] have anything to gain, and if [my] daughter can do it, so can [another] child."
Moderna has been administering its coronavirus vaccine in children ages 6 months to 12 years as part of a Phase 2/3 study dubbed KidCOVE. The vaccine, which has already received emergency use authorization in the U.S., is currently only approved for adults ages 18 and older. The company expects data on the shot's efficacy among kids ages 5-11 in late fall or early winter, Insider reported.
PFIZER, BIONTECH REQUEST COVID-19 VACCINE EMERGENCY AUTHORIZATION FOR KIDS AGES 5 TO 11
Althea was vaccinated at a pediatrics office in Lexington, WYMT reported. Dr. George Fuchs, the principle investigator for a Moderna safety study at the University of Kentucky, calling the young trial participants inspiring.
"The kids really are heroes and the parents are too, its beyond words to describe how meaningful this is," Fuchs told the outlet.
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Althea received two injections over the summer, and has undergone blood tests to measure her antibody levels. Soon, she'll find out whether she received the vaccine or placebo, per local reports.
"It does not hurt. I was completely fine after I got the shot and there is nothing to be afraid of," she told WYMT.
