Category: Covid-19 Vaccine

Researchers have made significant progress in understanding the impact of the COVID-19 virus on dermatologic conditions, including hair loss, pemphigus, urticaria, and rare diseases.Recent studies have shed light on the potential associations and manifestations post-COVID-19 infection or vaccination.

This week,Dermatology Timesis highlighting recent COVID-19 research affecting skin, hair, and nailsin recognition of 4 years since the start of the pandemic.

One study investigated the relationship between COVID-19 and telogen effluvium (TE) in Saudi Arabia. Conducted through a cross-sectional design from March to September 2022, it involved 392 participants with confirmed COVID-19 infections. Data were collected via online questionnaires. Results indicated that hair shedding post-COVID-19 affected 60% of participants, with various onset times and durations. Women with a history of TE and antiviral treatment for COVID-19 were identified as having more significant risks for hair shedding. Limitations of the study included lack of clinical evaluation by dermatologists. The study emphasized the importance of recognizing COVID-19-related hair shedding and highlighted the need for further objective assessment studies. It aimed to contribute to medical literature on COVID-19, urging healthcare providers to be vigilant and considerate of potential cutaneous manifestations in patients. The study proposed future research to explore the association between COVID-19 and chronic TE and suggested enhanced clinical evaluation methods for a more precise understanding.1

Various cutaneous reactions have been reported following COVID-19 vaccination globally. A registry-based study highlighted delayed large local reactions as the most common, with mRNA vaccines showing distinct reactions compared to viral vector vaccines. Three cases of pityriasis rosea (PR) and PR-like eruptions following COVID-19 vaccination were described in Oman Medical Journal. Two patients received Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccines, while the third received the Oxford-AstraZeneca viral vector vaccine.2

Case 1 involved a 19-year-old male presenting with PR-like eruption after the first dose of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Case2was a woman experiencing PR after the first Pfizer-BioNTech dose, with a milder recurrence post-second dose. Case 3, a man in his seventies, developed PR-like eruption following the second dose of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.Cutaneous reactions post-COVID-19 vaccination are diverse, including PR and PR-like eruptions. These reactions can occur with both mRNA and viral vector vaccines. Mechanisms may involve immune dysregulation and viral reactivation. Diagnosis and management rely on clinical presentation and histopathological examination. PR and PR-like eruptions post-COVID-19 vaccination are rare but possible. Vigilance in monitoring skin reactions following vaccination is crucial. Further studies are needed to understand the relationship between vaccination and cutaneous reactions, especially regarding viral reactivation.

Despite documented safety profiles of COVID-19 vaccines, vaccine hesitancy persists among individuals with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs), especially due to limited data on long-term safety. This study aimed to assess delayed adverse events (DAEs) occurring over seven days post-vaccination in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and other rheumatic and non-rheumatic autoimmune diseases (rAIDs and nrAIDs) compared to healthy controls (HCs). Data were collected via the COVAD-2 online survey from over 150 centers in 106 countries between February and June 2022. Logistic regression analysis, adjusting for confounders, compared adverse events among groups.3

Among 7203 participants, SLE patients reported higher rates of major DAEs and hospitalizations compared to HCs. They also experienced more severe rashes compared to individuals with rAIDs and higher hospitalization rates compared to those with nrAIDs. Differences in adverse events were observed between vaccine types, with Moderna recipients experiencing more hospitalizations. SLE patients without autoimmune multimorbidity reported fewer minor DAEs compared to those with comorbid nrAIDs.SLE patients had a higher risk of hospitalization post-vaccination compared to HCs. Close monitoring of SLE patients post-vaccination can aid in early detection of adverse events, informing patients, especially those with multiple autoimmune conditions, and providing necessary support.

The study presents a case of a 73-year-old woman developing pemphigus 2 weeks after contracting COVID-19, shedding light on the limited data regarding pemphigus incidence post-COVID-19 infection. The patient presented with blistering eruptions on multiple body parts post-COVID-19 diagnosis, prompting further investigation. Biopsies indicatedfeatures of pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP), with subsequent negative malignancy findings. Treatment with prednisone and mycophenolate mofetil led to complete remission at 9 months follow-up.4

COVID-19 has been linked to autoimmune diseases, possibly through molecular mimicry and immune dysregulation mechanisms. Reports suggest a time lag between COVID-19 and pemphigus onset, possibly due to aberrant immune responses triggered by the virus. Interestingly, the patient exhibited features of both PV and PNP, suggesting a complex autoimmune response influenced by COVID-19. This case underscores the need for vigilance regarding autoimmune manifestations post-COVID-19.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the widespread use of face masks has led to an increase in dermatoses, including reports of Koebner phenomenon, especially in patients with psoriasis. However, there has been limited documentation of mask-induced pemphigus lesions. This study presented 2 cases of patients with pemphigus developing new or persistent lesions on their noses, the area most irritated by mask usage.The first case involved a 56-year-old man with pemphigus vegetans, who developed nasal lesions four months after the pandemic began, coinciding with increased mask usage. Treatment with oral methylprednisolone and azathioprine resulted in mild improvement. The second case was a 47-year-old man with pemphigus vulgaris, exhibiting erosive lesions on the nose and oral mucosa, exacerbated by prolonged mask wearing. Despite treatment, nasal lesions persisted, indicating a possible mask-induced Koebner phenomenon.5

While previous reports linked pemphigus lesions to trauma or light exposure, the consistent occurrence of nasal lesions in these cases highlights the role of mask-related minor traumas. Despite being rare, the potential for Koebner phenomenon in pemphigus patients necessitates consideration, especially amidst pandemic conditions with widespread mask usage.

This retrospective study analyzed data from the Cosmos database to investigate the incidence and mortality of Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN) in patients with COVID-19. Among 10,675,070 patients diagnosed with COVID-19, 270 developed SJS/TEN within 8 weeks. The mean age was 50, with 54% female, and most were White (70%). The incidence of SJS/TEN was twice as high in COVID-19 patients compared to those without (2.5 vs. 1.2 cases per 100,000 individuals, p < .001). The 8-week mortality rate among SJS/TEN patients with COVID-19 was significantly higher than in those without (8.5% vs. 6.8%, p < .001).6

The study suggested a link between COVID-19 infection and increased risk of SJS/TEN, possibly due to virus-induced drug hypersensitivity. Antibiotic use in COVID-19 treatment may contribute, as many implicated antibiotics are commonly prescribed. However, further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms fully.

Research published in the Indian Dermatology Online Journal suggested a potential link to pyoderma gangrenosum (PG). This study presented 3 cases of PG on the breast, discussing the overlapping inflammatory cytokine profiles seen in PG and COVID-19. Increased pro-inflammatory cytokines observed in both PG and COVID-19, including TNF-, IL-1, IL-6, and IL-8, suggest a possible connection. COVID-19 vaccination can trigger autoimmunity and hyperinflammation, similar to mechanisms seen in PG pathogenesis. However, no reported cases of PG on the breast have been linked directly to COVID-19 infection or vaccination.7

While surgical interventions precede many cases of breast PG, none of the reported cases occurred post-COVID-19 infection or vaccination. Although PG may independently associate with COVID-19, further research is needed to confirm this connection conclusively. Investigators suggested that patients with dysregulated immune systems, including those vaccinated for COVID-19, should undergo extended follow-up for potential PG development. Monitoring for PG, even in non-vaccination sites, is crucial as it could exacerbate COVID-19 severity.

Earlier this year, the JAAD Case Report featured 7 patients developed chronic urticaria (CU) following mRNA-1273 COVID-19 booster vaccination. The median onset of urticaria was 11 days post-vaccination, lasting up to 16 months in some cases. While most patients were treated with antihistamines, symptom resolution occurred in only three cases. Notably, 2 patients received BNT162b2b (Pfizer-BioNTech) booster without exacerbating CU, suggesting a potential approach for future vaccinations.8

Although causation between COVID-19 vaccines and CU remains uncertain, previous literature suggests a correlation, with Moderna vaccines more frequently linked to delayed-onset CU compared to Pfizer. However, most patients tolerated subsequent vaccinations well, emphasizing the importance of shared decision-making regarding future doses. While the retrospective nature of this report limits definitive conclusions, the ability of some patients to tolerate alternative vaccineswarrants consideration in vaccine discussions. However, the necessity of such changesremains unclear, requiring further study. This case series contributes to understanding cutaneous reactions to COVID-19 vaccines and highlights the need for ongoing vigilance and research in this area.

References

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COVID-19 Impacts on Hair Loss, Pemphigus, Urticaria, and Rare Diseases - Dermatology Times

CHARLESTON, W.Va.The West Virginia Department of Health (DH) is informing all West Virginians ages 65 and older they are eligible for an additional dose of the updated COVID-19 vaccine, following the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) recentrecommendation.

As the data consistently shows, those who are older and immunocompromised are the most vulnerable to the severe effects of COVID-19, said Secretary Sherri Young, DO, MBA, FAAFP. It is for this reason we encourage those individuals to strongly consider getting an additional dose.

West Virginias Pan Respiratory Dashboardshows only 36 percent of West Virginians over the age of 61 are up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccines. The dashboard shows that more than a hundred West Virginians died from COVID-19 in the last year, with the average age of those individuals being 73.

Under current recommendations, those 65 and older can receive an additional dose of the vaccine at least four months after the previous shot. The updated vaccine targets both the original strain of the virus and newer variants, offering broader protection.

To find updated COVID-19 information and the nearest vaccination location, visitCOVID-19 Vaccine (wv.gov).

The West Virginia Department of Health (DH) seeks to advance the health and well-being of all West Virginians promoting healthy behaviors, working to mitigate public health crises, and increasing access to health-related resources and information.

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West Virginia says you can now receive additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine - WTRF

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Louisiana debates civil liability over COVID-19 vaccine mandates, or the lack thereof - El Paso Inc.

In a cohort study comparing veterans diagnosed with COVID-19 with those not diagnosed, all participants reported a substantial loss of day-to-day functioning.1

The World Health Organizations clinical case definition of post COVID-19 condition specifies that an impact on everyday functioning is essential to the diagnosis. However, many studies describing the high burden of symptoms and accumulation of new diagnoses following COVID-19 infection have failed to capture function, wrote authors of the study.

Post COVID-19 condition, more commonly known as long COVID, is when an individuals symptoms persist, or new symptoms arise, 3 months after an initial COVID-19 diagnosis.2

Researchers aimed to compare the daily functions of veterans both infected and not infected by COVID-19 starting 18 months after self-reporting their diagnosis. When they reported their infection, researchers quickly found a comparator participant without COVID-19 to secure the closest match to the infected individual.1

Participants were sent a survey to record levels of pain, fatigue, activities of daily living, mobility, and overall quality of life. Results of this study were published in the JAMA Network Open.1

Using data from the United States Veterans Affairs (VA), 186 veterans who tested positive for COVID-19 were included in the study (mean age 60.4; 90.4% men). They were then matched with the exact number of comparators (mean age 61.1; 90.4% men), totaling 372 participants in the entire sample.

Older veteran saluting | image credit: Lydia - stock.adobe.com

In this cohort study, veterans reported high rates of ongoing fatigue, pain, and disability after the COVID-19 pandemic, regardless of history of COVID-19. There were no statistically significant results between these symptoms and COVID-19 illness, wrote the authors.

Indeed, results of the survey were staggered and there was no correlation to COVID-19 infection and reduced daily functioning.1

Regarding daily activities, veterans with COVID-19 reported a mean of 3.4 limitations and 37.3% reported 4 or more limitations. Their matched comparators reported a mean of just 3 limitations and 30.2% reported 4 or more limitations.1

However, of veterans diagnosed with COVID-19, just 51.1% reported moderate, severe, or extreme pain 18 months after infection, compared with 65.7% of those not infected.1

Participants were also asked about their overall quality of life on a scale of 1 to 100; the higher the score, the closer they were to the everyday functionality experienced prior to the pandemic in 2020.

Of the veterans in the COVID-19 cohort, 44.9% reported they could do less than 75% of what they felt they could do at the beginning of 2020, in contrast with 35.3% of their comparators, wrote the authors.

READ MORE: Vaccines to Watch in 2024

Reporting that there were no statistically significant results observed in the study, researchers concluded that the pandemic as a whole, whether individuals were infected with COVID-19 or not, had adverse effects on the population.

These data are consistent with an interpretation that the COVID-19 pandemic has had adverse effects outside of solely infectious or post-infectious mechanisms, wrote the authors.1 Other adverse effects may have been due to psychological, behavioral, social, policy, and economic mechanisms.

While researchers did not find a significant difference between veterans infected and their comparator cohort, they were still sure to point out study limitations and the need for further research on the effects of long COVID.

Since all data came from the VA with just 2 cohorts of 186 participants, researchers stated that the results should not be generalized to the population. They also mentioned that a greater sample size could assess differences in sex since the studys female population was just 9.6% in both cohorts.

These data cannot rule out the possibility that COVID-19-confirmed viral infection may be associated with disability among some individuals who had COVID-19, they continued.1

Researchers concluded the study by identifying the need for more research on both post-COVID-19 condition and the non-physical burdens associated with the pandemic.

Future work with larger samples is needed to validate the estimated associations, the authors concluded.1

READ MORE: Disparities in Digital Health Portal Use Persist Beyond the COVID-19 Pandemic

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Veterans Reported Loss of Everyday Functioning After COVID-19 Pandemic - Drug Topics

A study by Oregon Health & Science University shows that COVID-19 vaccination timing can slightly and temporarily alter menstrual cycle length, especially when given in the cycles first half. These findings aim to reassure and inform about minor changes, highlighting the need for more research on menstruations significance for health and fertility.

Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have confirmed a link between the timing of COVID-19 vaccination and slight, temporary changes in the length of menstrual cycles.

The study, published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology, found that individuals receiving a COVID-19 vaccine during the first half of their menstrual cycle are more likely to experience cycle length changes than those receiving a vaccine in the second half.

Building on prior work from the same research team that first identified an association between COVID-19 vaccines and menstrual cycle length, this study furthers understanding of how the timing of vaccination is associated with this change.

Understanding these changes on a population level allows us to more effectively counsel patients about what to expect with a COVID-19 vaccine, said Alison Edelman, M.D., M.P.H., the studys lead author and professor of obstetrics and gynecology and division director of Complex Family Planning in the OHSU School of Medicine. We hope this work helps validate the publics experiences and ease fears and anxiety around vaccination.

With data from nearly 20,000 users of the FDA-cleared birth control application Natural Cycles, researchers sought to determine whether the timing of COVID-19 vaccination is associated with changes in menstrual cycle length. Individuals in the cohort analysis granted researchers permission to use their de-identified data.

Researchers compared three groups: individuals vaccinated in the follicular phase, the first phase of the menstrual cycle when the body collects follicles, or small sacs that have the potential to release an egg for fertilization during ovulation; individuals vaccinated in the luteal phase, the second part of the menstrual cycle starting after ovulation; and an unvaccinated control group.

Analysis shows that individuals who were vaccinated in the follicular phase experienced, on average, a one-day increase in cycle length when compared with their pre-vaccination cycle average. Changes typically resolved in the cycle after vaccination.

While there is now a large body of evidence demonstrating that the COVID-19 vaccine is associated with temporary menstrual cycle disturbances, the exact biological mechanism for these changes is still unknown.

We are constantly learning about how our bodies work together, but we do know the immune and reproductive systems interact closely with one another, Edelman explained. Based on this relationship, it is certainly plausible that individuals may see temporary changes in their menstrual cycle due to the immune response that vaccines are designed to produce.

Experiencing an unexpected change in menstrual cycles can be alarming. Researchers emphasize that these findings shouldnt be a cause for concern, but should provide reassurance that, if changes in cycle length occur with vaccination, they are likely to be small and temporary. Individuals who notice prolonged changes in menstruation are encouraged to seek guidance from their clinician.

Since the studys data were gathered from individuals with regular menstrual cycles pre-vaccine, the team emphasizes that additional research is needed to establish whether observed differences vary in some people who experience irregularities in their cycle. Additionally, researchers hope to better understand how other aspects of the menstrual cycle are affected by vaccination, such as menstrual-related symptoms and menstrual flow.

Historically, menstruation has not been prioritized in scientific and medical research, which leaves individuals who menstruate with a lot of unanswered questions, especially when they are experiencing something thats not normal for their body, Edelman said. Menstruation is a key indicator of fertility and overall health, so understanding these changes is very important to us as reproductive health researchers and to our patients.

Reference: Timing of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccination and Effects on Menstrual Cycle Changes by Alison Edelman, Emily R. Boniface, Victoria Male, Sharon Cameron, Eleonora Benhar, Leo Han, Kristen A. Matteson, Agathe van Lamsweerde, Jack T. Pearson and Blair G. Darney, 27 February 2024, Obstetrics and Gynecology. DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000005550

Research reported in this publication was funded by the National Institutes of Healths Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and Office of Research on Womens Health under award number HD089957.

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COVID-19 Vaccination's Timing Linked to Menstrual Cycle Changes - SciTechDaily

On the website of the meat-by-mail company Good Ranchers, potential customers learn about the companys heritage Easter ham, and also something else: Good Ranchers promise that its products are mRNA-free.

Avoid unknown vaccines in store-bought meat, says the company, which advertises on The Glenn Beck Program, among others.

Told about the Good Ranchers marketing, Dr. Paul Offit, a Philadelphia pediatrician and expert in infectious diseases and vaccines, laughed.

You just made my day, he said. I cant imagine thats what they really mean. Do they really mean theyre trying to avoid messenger RNA?

Messenger RNA, discovered in the 1960s, is a molecule present in all living cells that instructs the body on how to make proteins. In most cells of your body, you have about 200,000 pieces of messenger RNA converted in the cytoplasm to the enzymes and proteins necessary for life. Its because of messenger RNA that we make insulin or hemoglobin or any other proteins that we need, Offit said.

But the mRNA that high school students learn about in biology class has been villainized in recent years because of controversy over COVID-19 vaccines, two of which Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech employ the technology.

Last year, two Iowa lawmakers introduced a bill that would ban the use of mRNA vaccines in the state, and in January, the surgeon general of Florida issued a similar statement.

Such concerns are dismissed as ignorance or hysteria by most medical and government officials, who see mRNA vaccines as a breakthrough, for both humans and animals.

As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains the technology, To trigger an immune response, many vaccines put a weakened or inactivated germ into our bodies. Not mRNA vaccines. Instead, mRNA vaccines use mRNA created in a laboratory to teach our cells how to make a protein or even just a piece of a protein that triggers an immune response inside our bodies. This immune response, which produces antibodies, is what helps protect us from getting sick from that germ in the future.

While the CDC intended to reassure Americans about the safety of mRNA vaccines, the language created in a laboratory is possibly the worst choice of words in this context, given that two-thirds of Americans believe COVID-19 itself was created in a laboratory.

That, Offit said, is one of the most persistent myths that arose during the pandemic, the other being that the COVID-19 vaccine causes COVID-19. (You could argue that the measles vaccine, which is a live, weakened form of the virus, can cause a weakened form of the disease, which rarely happens. But a single protein (used in the COVID-19 vaccine) is not going to cause the disease, he said.)

A third of Americans go even further in their distrust of health officials, believing that the COVID-19 vaccine definitely or probably caused the death of otherwise healthy people. And for many of them, the term mRNA has become synonymous with bad things being foisted on an oblivious public including our food.

In this context, Good Ranchers and other meat-by-mail businesses are not making a statement of fact in advertising mRNA free meat since all mammal cells contain mRNA but marketing their product to the small but growing number of people who distrust not just the COVID-19 vaccine, but vaccines in general.

A survey conducted last fall by the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania found growing shares of people who believe that vaccines cause autism and that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, in particular, cause cancer. Some people even believe that the COVID-19 vaccines could be causing highly aggressive forms of cancer that have been dubbed turbo cancer, although an immunology expert at Johns Hopkins has said there is zero basis for such claims.

There is, however, plenty of chatter on social media about the perceived threat of mRNA, and plans to use mRNA vaccines in animals in the future has given rise to speculation that if Americans wont take the COVID-19 vaccine, their government will sneak it into our burgers and bacon. The Associated Press has issued fact checks denying that COVID-19 vaccines are in the food supply and that farmers are using mRNA vaccines in cattle. But a number of businesses are, like Good Ranchers, using their vaccine-free herds as a selling point.

Rafter W. Ranch in Simla, Colorado, for example, says on its website: Will the unintended consequences of mRNA injections in livestock be worse than MRSA and Cdiff, the most prominent superbugs created by antibiotic resistance? Nobody knows. Nature often doesnt issue its progress report immediately. It takes awhile. Just like it takes awhile to know whether your parenting skills yielded kids that dont go to jail.

The article goes on to encourage people who support Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the presidential candidate who has questioned COVID-19 vaccines, to refuse to take their grandchildren to McDonalds.

The ranch sells beef, chicken, lamb and eggs directly to consumers; you can even order the meat from an entire cow for just under $4,000.

Agriculture Department figures show that more than 90% of cattle on feedlots receive vaccinations of some kind.

Animal vaccination, in other words, is not new. But some of the concern expressed about mRNA vaccines has involved the speed with which they seemingly came on the horizon, giving oxygen to conspiracy theories.

Although scientists had been working on mRNA vaccines for years, including one for Ebola, the COVID-19 vaccine that Pfizer developed was the first to receive full FDA approval. As such, the National Institutes of Health described it as decades in the making, although it wasnt perceived by many in the public that way.

Even as most medical experts consider the COVID-19 vaccinations a success, there are still many Americans who are skeptical for reasons ranging from the fact that they got vaccinated but got COVID-19 anyway, to their belief that the vaccines are sickening and killing people, ideas that have gotten traction through films such as Shot Dead and Died Suddenly.

While Died Suddenly is widely dismissed as positing a crackpot theory about global elites intentionally depopulating the world via COVID-19 vaccinations, its audience is not insignificant. The X account of the company that produced it has 690,000 followers and regularly criticizes mRNA vaccines and other COVID-19 containment policies. But you dont have to buy into the wildest theories about vaccines to believe that their efficacy and side effects are worth talking about, especially as new mRNA vaccines are touted for everything from the flu to HIV and yes, eventually for animal vaccines.

This helps to explain why some state legislators have proposed requiring disclosure of mRNA vaccination on meat labels, and mail-order businesses that offer what they say are safer and healthier products talk about the latest mystery meat coming to our supermarkets.

Good Ranchers did not respond to emails requesting an interview, but an article posted on its website earlier this month expressed concern about a USDA-approved vaccine called Sequivity that has been widely given to pigs since 2022 to prevent swine flu.

The article noted, correctly, that Sequivity is an RNA vaccine, not an mRNA vaccine, but then goes on to say, The introduction of mRNA vaccines in livestock holds many unknowns, especially regarding the long-term health effects of consuming meat from vaccinated animals. The lack of comprehensive, long-term studies on the potential health impacts for consumers is a glaring gap in the narrative supporting the technologys safety.

But David Verhoeven, an assistant professor of vet microbiology and preventive medicine at Iowa State University, said its virtually impossible for even trace amounts of animal vaccines to end up in food because of USDA requirements that the substance exit an animals body before it is slaughtered or milked. He also said that Sequivity, produced by Merck Animal Health, has been used for nearly two years without problems and has a history that dates to 2012, when it was first developed by Harrisvaccines.

The composition of the vaccine is closer to those made with an attenuated, or weakened, virus than the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, he said.

Its not an apples-to-apples comparison, at all, Verhoeven said. Sequivity has been licensed, its well-used, and so far, no one has turned into an mRNA monster. Further, Unlike COVID mRNA, which is designed to persist in the body longer than natural mRNA through alterations to the mRNA itself or through the type of lipid shuttle used Sequivity is designed to look and act like a natural virus vaccine and only last for a short duration.

He said that mRNA vaccines for animals are under development, but a few years away, and wrote last year for The Conversation: Between the mandatory vaccine withdrawal period, flash pasteurization for milk, degradation on the shelf and the cooking process for food products, there could not be any residual vaccine left for humans to consume. Even if you were to consume residual mRNA molecules, your gastrointestinal tract will rapidly degrade them.

Good Ranchers, however, argues that there are also significant ethical considerations that consumers who eat animal products should consider.

Beyond the manipulation of animal genetics, theres an overarching question about the necessity and naturalness of such interventions, the article on Sequevity said. Traditional animal husbandry practices, which emphasize the welfare and natural lifecycle of livestock, stand in stark contrast to this new frontier of genetic intervention. This pivot points to a broader discussion about the kind of future we envision for food production and the role of technology within it.

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What is mRNA and why is it coming up in meat advertising? - Deseret News

During the COVID pandemic, Lainie Chait was hesitant about getting vaccinated.

But with elderly parents living in a different state and travel restrictions in place, she decided it was the best course of action.

Ms Chait then spent the next two-and-a-half years fighting the consequences of that choice after her employer sacked her for getting the jab.

Now the Fair Work Commission has found her termination was unfair and has awarded damages of $8,000 against the Church of Ubuntu, which describes itself as a religious organisation with an associated independent wellness clinic.

Ms Chait said she was happy the matter was over because it was "extremely draining" and unnecessary.

In October 2021, Ms Chait was working for the Newcastle-based church and clinic, whichpromotes and sells alternative plant-based health remedies.

She said that at the time there had been "anti-vaccination mutterings" at the organisation, but no firm policy.

"I knew that if I wanted to see my parents, I needed to get the vaccine," she said."When my boss found out, I was fired."

The Church of Ubuntu argued in the Fair Work Commission that the COVID vaccine was against its "constitution and founding moral and ethical principles".

It described the NSW government's approach that encouraged everyone to get vaccinated as "enforced medical apartheid".

Ms Chait says she only became aware of the organisation's policy via a Facebook audio message from church President Barry Flutter which was submitted to the commission.

"Nobody can work for us if he's vaccinated. It's that simple. So, I don't know how you guys are gonna work that out but nobody can work for the Church of Ubuntu."

Ms Chait said she had supported the philosophy of providing customers with alternative treatment options.

"I was so aligned with their message to the world, but their position just seems hypocritical' she said.

"For a company to say that they are pro-choice but not accept my choice is very hypocritical."

Ms Chait's solicitor Mark Swivel said the lack of clarity from the organisation had been problematic from the outset.

"The employer had never made it clear that vaccination was an issue in terms of the policies of the organisation," he said.

"An employer, theoretically, could set out conditions of employment that vaccination was not permitted, but they didn't do that.

"There were no warnings, there was no counselling, no negotiation or consultation.

"There was just a simple decision, and her employment ended," he said.

The commission found Ms Chait had been dismissed before the church made its policy on vaccination clear and that its stance was "inherently unreasonable".

The Church of Ubuntu has not responded to an ABC request for comment.

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Church of Ubuntu loses unfair dismissal case after sacking COVID-vaccinated Byron Bay woman - ABC News

No matter how much we'd like to leave it in the dust, COVID-19 remains prevalent and potent. Tens of thousands of people still contract COVID per week in the United States. Hundreds die. And those who don't may still develop long COVID.

Pleas from public health officials for people to get a COVID vaccine or booster shot have been ignored by many people. About 80% of eligible Americans haven't taken any kind of COVID booster. Meantime, the virus continues to mutate, eroding the efficacy of the vaccine's past versions.

How to get more people to get the jab? Vaccine hesitancy, said infectious disease specialist William Schaffner, MD, is likely rooted in a lack of trust in authority, whether it's public health officials or politicians.

Schaffner, a professor of infectious diseases at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, and former medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, recommended five strategies physicians can try when discussing the importance of staying up to date on COVID vaccines with patients.

First and foremost, if doctors are feeling reluctance from their patients, they need to know "what they shouldn't do," Schaffner said.

When a patient initially doesn't want the vaccine, doctors shouldn't express surprise. "Do not scold or berate or belittle. Do not give the impression the patient is somehow wrong or has failed a test of some sort," Schaffner said.

Step back and affirm that they understand what the patient is saying so they feel reassured, even if they don't agree or it's based on falsehoods about the vaccine.

He said patients need to feel "the doctor heard them, it's okayto tell the doctor this." When you affirm what the patient says, it puts them at ease and provides a smoother road to eventually getting them to say "yes."

But if there's still a roadblock, don't bulldoze them. "You don't want to punish the patientlet them know you'll continue to hear them," Schaffner said.

Fear of side effects is great among some patients, even if the risks are low, Schaffner said. Patients may be hesitant because they're afraid they'll become one of the "two or three in a million" who suffer extremely rare side effects from the vaccine, Schaffner said.

In that case, doctors should acknowledge their concern is valid, he said. Never be dismissive. Ask the patients how they feel about the vaccine, listen to their responses, and let them know "I hear you. This is a new mRNA vaccineyou have concern about that," Schaffner said.

Doctors can segue into how there's little reason to wait for some elusive perfectly risk-free vaccine when they can help themselves right now.

"The adverse events that occur with vaccines occur within 2 months [and are typically mild]. I don't know of a single vaccine that has genuinely long-term implications," Schaffner said. "We should remember that old French philosopher Voltaire. He admonished us: Waiting for perfection is the great enemy of the current good."

Here's something that may seem obvious: Don't treat the vaccine as an afterthought. "Survey after survey tells us thisit has everything to do with the strength of the recommendation," Schaffner said.

Doctors typically make strong treatment recommendations such conditions as diabetes or high blood pressure, but "when it comes to vaccines, they're often rather nonchalant," he said.

If a patient is eligible for a vaccine, doctors should tell the patient they need to get it not that you think they should get it. "Doctors have to make a firm recommendation: 'You're eligible for a vaccineand you need to get ityou'll receive it on your way out.' It then becomes a distinct and strong recommendation," he said.

In the opening of Charles Dickens's novel "Hard Times," the stern school superintendent, Mr Gradgrind, scolds his students by beating their brow with the notion that, "Facts alone are wanted in life. Plant nothing else and root out everything else."

The idea that facts alone can sway a vaccine-resistant patient is wrong. "It often doesn't happen that way," Schaffner said. "I don't think facts do that. Psychologists tell us, yes, information is important, but it's rarely sufficient to change behavior."

Data and studies are foundational to medicine, but the key is to change how a patient feels about the data they're presented with, not how they think about it. "Don't attack their brain so much but their heart," Schaffner said.

Schaffner has stressed with his patients that the COVID vaccine has become "the social norm," suggesting virtually everyone he knows has received it and had no problem.

Once questions have been answered about whether the vaccine works and its various side effects, doctors could remind the patient, "You know, everyone in my office is getting the vaccine, and we're trying to provide this protection to every patient," he said.

You're then delving deeper into their emotions and crossing a barrier that facts alone can't breach.

Lead by example and personalize the fight against the virus. This allows doctors to act as if they're building an alliance with their patients by framing the vaccine not as something that only affects them but can also confer benefits to a broader social circle.

Even after using these methods, patients may remain resistant, apprehensive, or even indifferent. In cases like these, Schaffner said it's a good idea to let it go for the time being.

Let the patient know they "have access to you and can keep speaking with you about it" in the future, he said. "It takes more time, and you have to be cognizant of the nature of the conversation."

Everybody is unique, but with trust, patience, and awareness of the patient's feelings, doctors have a better shot at finding common ground with their patients and convincing them the vaccine is in their best interest, he said.

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Getting Reluctant Patients to 'Yes' on COVID Vaccination - Medscape

Posted By: Jan Larson McLaughlin March 20, 2024

Wood County Health Department and Wood County Committee on Aging are hosting a COVID-19 vaccine clinic at the Wood County Senior Center, located at 140 S. Grove St. in Bowling Green, on March 25 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Appointments are limited and must be scheduled in advance. Call the Wood County Committee on Aging at 419-353-5661 for an appointment, available on a first-come, first-served basis. Both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are available.

Adults aged 65 and older are now eligible to receive an additional dose of the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine, which first became available in September 2023. The CDC recently recommended an additional dose for people 65 and older in recognition of the increased risk of severe disease from COVID-19 in older adults, along with the currently available data on vaccine effectiveness.

Participants with insurance are asked to bring their insurance card and insurance will be billed. No payment will be collected at the time of vaccination. People who do not have insurance or whose insurance does not cover the vaccine will not be charged.

The mission of Wood County Health Department is to prevent disease, promote healthy lifestyles and protect the health of everyone in Wood County. The Community Health Center provides comprehensive medical services for men, women and children. All patients are welcome, including uninsured or underinsured clients, regardless of their ability to pay, and most third-party insurance is accepted. For more information, visit woodcountyhealth.org.

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COVID-19 vaccine clinic offered by Wood County Health Department and Committee on Aging BG Independent News - BG Independent News

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Posted: March 18, 2024

People considered to have the highest risk for severe illness from COVID-19 can now make an appointment online for a spring dose of the vaccine.

The dose will be available from March 25 to May 31.

Those who are eligible to book for the vaccinationinclude:

Nova Scotia Health recommends people wait six months after their last COVID-19 shot or infection to get a vaccine dose, but a shorter interval of at least three months is allowed for the spring dose, the department said in a news release.

Nova Scotia Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Robert Strang said COVID-19 cases are steady in the province.

Those who didn't opt to get a fall or winter dose can still get oneeven if they aren't eligible for the spring campaign.

People who aren't eligible for the spring dose but who did get a COVID-19 booster shot during the fall or winter are "considered to be up to date," Nova Scotia Health said in its release.

In addition to booking the shot online, people can also make an appointment for the vaccinationby calling1-833-797-7772.

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High-risk groups can now book spring COVID-19 vaccination - CBC.ca