Howard G. Smith, MD, AM
PENTA Medical Network
617-488-9699
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HealthNews RoundUp - 4th Week of October 2021
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REPORTS
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Moderna CoVid Vax Is Safe & Effective For Young Children
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/5QsJHn20Clg
Ninety-nine percent of children 6 to 12 years of age receiving the Moderna CoVid vaccine produced protective antibodies to the virus. The antibody levels were comparable to those triggered in young adults by vaccination indicating a very strong anti-CoVid immune response.
Moderna reports this data from the randomized, blinded, placebo controlled KidCOVE study involving 4,753 children in the 6 to 12 year group. The children were given 2 doses of Moderna vaccine one month apart, and these doses were 50 ug each. This is one-half of the doses used for adult immunization and the same dose used for the boosters in adults. Antibody levels against CoVid were measured one month following the second vaccine dose.
The vaccine was well-tolerated by the children with a safety profile similar to that observed for adults and adolescents. The majority of adverse events were mild or moderate including fatigue, headache, fever, and injection site pain. Monitoring for side effects will continue for 12 months after the second shot.
Meanwhile, 2 other groups of young children continue to enter the study to provide sufficient numbers for analysis including those 6 months to under 2 years and those 2 to 6 years of age.
#moderna #vaccine #CoVid #children #sideeffects
moderna , vaccine, CoVid , children, sideeffects
Fully CoVid-Vaccinated Persons Do Trigger Spreader Events
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/Z5oopP1-PhE
The Delta CoVid variant triggered a huge spreader event on Cape Cod in association with this year’s 4th of July holiday. A comprehensive epidemiological evaluation of those infected by researchers at Harvard and MIT determined that the majority of those infected and spreading the infection were fully immunized against CoVid.
Genetic analyses were obtained from the viruses infecting 467 persons of the 1,098 outbreak cases associated with multiple 4th events including many indoors. The data showed that the super-spreader was powered by 40 individual sources of Delta CoVid yet 83% of the outbreak cases were attributable to a single person spreading CoVid during 25 separate transmission events most involving vaccinated persons as both secondary spreaders and victims.
The bottom line: even if fully-vaccinated you can contract CoVid and spread it if you don’t mask and distance, particularly indoors.
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.10.20.21265137v1.full.pdf
#CoVid #superspreader #vaccine #mask #distancing #indoor
CoVid, superspreader, vaccine, mask, distancing, indoor
Pfizer Data On Child CoVid Vaccination Presented to the FDA
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/dk1FqpAEIQg
Let’s take a look at the data submitted by Pfizer to the FDA in support of an Emergency Use Authorization for Pfizer vaccine use in children 5 to 12 years of age. Pfizer studied 2250 children 1518 of whom were vaccinated and 750 of whom served as placebo controls. An additional 2250 children were studied to add additional safety data.
The vaccinated children received 10 ug of mRNA, one-third the adult dose, twice 3 weeks apart. Their levels of anti-CoVid antibodies were comparable to those elicited from vaccinating young adults 16 to 25 years of age. A supplemental analysis of sera from 38 randomly selected vaccinated children showed equivalent potency against the Delta variant compared with the original CoVid strain.
The real-life vaccine effectiveness during the tine of Delta was 90.7%. There were no cases of severe CoVid and no cases of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome, MIS-C. This indicates a high level of protection for children without an undue risk of side effects.
The safety data showed mild to moderate reactions during the first 2 days after vaccination. The most common local reaction was injection site pain and the most common systemic reactions were fatigue, headache, muscle pain, and chills. There were no cases of myocarditis.
https://www.fda.gov/media/153409/download
#CoVid #pfizer #children #vaccine
CoVid, pfizer, children, vaccine
Getting Kids To Eat Healthier
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/Ys4riTzDrug
Replacing half a child’s meal with fruits and vegetables is the magic formula for significantly increasing their consumption of these healthier foods. Penn State nutritional scientists now demonstrate the utility of this simple formula.
The researchers tested two strategies for increasing fruits and veggies in 53 pre-schoolers 3 to 5 years of age. The first was simply ADDING 50% more fruits and veggies to their standard meals. The second was REPLACING half of what’s on their plates with fruits and veggies.
When the kids’ consumption was tabulated, the addition strategy increase fruit consumption by 33% and vegetable consumption by only 24%. Replacing let’s say half the Mac and cheese on the plate with fruits and veggies boasts fruit consumption by 38% and vegetable consumption by 41%. For veggies that’s a 70% increase in consumption by the children.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/10/211018105923.htm
#nutrition #fruits #vegetables #parenting #children
nutrition, fruits, vegetables, parenting, children
Heavy Exercise May Ultimately Paralyze You
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/IgGZzDbDMRk
Intense, consistent physical activity at work may nearly double your risk of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the progressive loss of your ability to control your muscles that is better known as Lou Gehrig Disease. German investigators studied 393 persons diagnosed with ALS who completed detailed questionnaires about their physical activity at work and play during each decade of their adult lives. Controls were 791 age and gender-matched persons without ALS.
Exercise was categorized as heavy if it was sweat-producing playing sports or doing heavy, physical work. Light activity included walking and recreational cycling. The tabulated data showed that heavy occupational work exercise increased ALS risk by 1.97 times but physical activity of all intensities during leisure produced no additional risk.
Know that ALS is a rare disease, but this study raises a more important question. Is the human nervous system subject to overuse? It’s another argument for moderation, especially in the workplace. Rather than toting those heavy crates, use power assists. Use teamwork to share physical stresses.
https://n.neurology.org/content/early/2021/10/20/WNL.0000000000012829
#als #amyotrophiclateralsclerosis #overuse #exercise #strain
als, amyotrophiclateralsclerosis, overuse, exercise, strain
CDC Booster Recommendations
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/n-fNckTsLvo
Let’s look at the latest CDC guidelines regarding who should receive booster doses and which vaccine should they get.
Who needs a booster shot?
A 3rd shot should be given as a booster for those who received complete vaccination with an mRNA vaccine, either Moderna or Pfizer, at least 6 months earlier and;
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are 56 years or older;
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18 years or older in a long-term care facility;
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50-64 years of age with cancer, stroke, chronic heart, kidney, lung or liver disease, diabetes, obesity, pregnancy, smoking habit, tuberculosis, or significant mental health disorders.
A 2nd shot as a booster should be given to all those who received complete vaccination with the
Johnson & Johnson-Janssen vaccine at least 2 months earlier. That’s it. Any of the vaccines may be used.
Immunocompromised persons more than 28 days following initial vaccination with either Moderna or Pfizer should immediately receive a 3rd shot consisting of a full 100 ug dose of Moderna or a 30 ug dose of Pfizer.
Which booster shot to receive?
Clinical trials show that each booster shot including a full dose of Pfizer, a half dose of Moderna, or a full dose of the J&J significantly increases anti-CoVid immunity as measured by antibody levels. One study of mix and match strategies showed that both work and any of the vaccines would produce the same or higher level of anti-CoVid immunity.
Discuss your options with your provider. Each vaccine has slight associated risks for the booster as they did for the initial vaccination: Pfizer and Moderna - myocarditis more frequent in men and younger adults; J&J - thrombosis with platelet depletion for women 18-49 and Guillain-Barré syndrome for men 50-64. If you are in these groups, the CDC recommends consideration of an mRNA booster with Moderna or Pfizer.
The CDC just added several recommendations for those moderately or severely immunocompromised. Those 6 months or more after their 3rd shot or booster should consider a 4th shot or 2nd booster.
These are the CDC booster guidelines as of October 26, 2021.
#CoVid #vaccine #booster #cdc #pfizer #moderna #jandj
CoVid, vaccine, booster, cdc, pfizer, moderna , jandj
How Protective Are CoVid Vaccines Over Time?
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/kzFG3OplOJk
After 7 months, overall vaccine effectiveness preventing any CoVid infection drops from a peak of 95-96% to 70% for Pfizer and 82% for Moderna. Over a 5 month period, vaccine effectiveness for the J&J vaccine drops from a peak of 79% to 64%. Public health investigators at the University of North Carolina tabulated state-wide data on over 10 million persons from December, 2020 to September, 2021.
Looking at protection against hospitalization and death from CoVid: for Pfizer the number dropped from a peak of 96% to 88% at 7 months; for Moderna, a peak of 98% to 92%; and for J&J, a peak of 90% to 80% after 5 months.
These vaccines are remarkably effective over time, but less so against the Delta variant which increased over the time of the study. Bottom line: you receive optimal protection, especially if you are in a high risk group, from a booster dose of CoVid vaccine.
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.10.25.21265304v1.full.pdf+html
#CoVid #vaccine #booster #pfizer #moderna #jandj
CoVid, vaccine, booster, pfizer, moderna, jand
Antidepressant Drug May Prevent Blindness
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/dVS7dUlRHo8
Those taking the antidepressant drug fluoxetine, branded as Prozac, have a significantly reduced risk of developing progressive age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in those over the age of 50. Researchers at the University of Virginia analyzed data from two health insurance databases covering more than 100 million persons after first studying the process leading to AMD and blindness in a mouse model.
The investigators, studying a group of already FDA approved drugs in the lab, showed that fluoxetine uniquely inhibits the inflammatory process leading to retinal degeneration due to its binding with an inflammatory molecule NLRP3-ASC. Armed with this laboratory data, they wanted to see if fluoxetine conferred any clinical benefits for patients with AMD.
Using insurance databases that pinpointed those over the age of 50 with AMD who were taking Prozac and those who were not, analysis revealed that taking fluoxetine significantly slowed the AMD degenerative process. Based on these results, the UVA ophthalmologists are looking forward to a clinical trial of fluoxetine in AMD patients.
https://www.pnas.org/content/118/41/e2102975118
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/10/211021120941.htm
#amd #maculardegeneration #blindness #fluoxetine #prozac
amd, maculardegeneration, blindness, fluoxetine, prozac
Pfizer Vax Effectiveness in Teens Against Delta CoVid
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/mvIBVSrazAI
The Pfizer CoVid vaccine was 90% effective in preventing any CoVid Delta variant infection in fully vaccinated teens 12 to 15 years of age. This from a collaborative study from Israel’s Clalit Institute and the Harvard Medical School that studied 94,354 vaccinated teens and compared their outcomes with an equal number of unvaccinated controls.
The study data shows a gradual development of effective Delta CoVid immunity as the teens received the 2 shots of Pfizer vaccine. Vaccine effectiveness against any Delta CoVid infection was 59% 2-3 weeks after dose 1, 66% 3 to nearly 4 weeks after dose 1, and 90% 1 to 3 weeks after dose 2. The vaccines ability to prevent a symptomatic Delta CoVid infection was 57% 2 to 3 weeks after dose 1, 82% 3 to nearly 4 weeks after dose 1, and 93% one to 3 weeks after dose 2.
This study gives reassuring evidence that 2 doses of at least one of our current CoVid vaccines effectively protects children against the Delta variant of CoVid. This provides an excellent rationale for vaccinating all children.
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2114290
#CoVid #vaccine #children #teens
CoVid, vaccine, children, teens
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CPSC Recalls
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Husqvarna and GASGAS Off-Road Closed Course Competition Motorcycles Are Recalled
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/I5lGJvvsZ6I
The CPSC and KTM, Husqvarna and GASGAS Motorcycles now recall Husqvarna and GASGAS Off-Road Closed Course Competition Motorcycles. The retaining “R” clips on the front brake caliper pin may fail and cause the front brakes to malfunction leading to a possible crash. About 1,840 of these motorcycles were sold in the US and 265 were sold in Canada. If you own one of these cycles, stop riding it and contact your authorized Husqvarna or GASGAS Motorcycles dealer to schedule a free repair. This repair involves inspecting the retaining “R” clips for correct mounting and making appropriate modifications. For more information, you can contact KTM, Husqvarna and GASGAS Motorcycle toll-free at 1-888-985-6090.
#competitionmotorcycles #Husqvarna #GASGAS #brakes #crash #recall
competitionmotorcycles, Husqvarna, GASGAS, brakes, crash, recall
Recall On Lightform LF2 and LF2+ LED Projectors
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/Ziu12thexo0
The CPSC and Lightform have recalled Lightform LF2 and LF2+ LED Projectors. The projector’s fan may malfunction leading to overheating, fires, and burns. About 1,600 of these projectors were sold online at lightform.com and amazon.com. If you have one of these projectors, immediately stop using it. Contact Lightform by phone at 1-855-242-5066 or online at lightform.com for a free software update.
https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2022/Lightform-Recalls-LED-Projectors-Due-to-Fire-Hazard-Recall-Alert
#lightform #ledprojector #overheating #fan #fire #burns #recall
lightform, ledprojector, overheating, fan, fire, burns, recall
Recall On Better Homes and Gardens Essential Oil Infused Aromatherapy Room Spray with Gemstones
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/rVHJSoAkH8g
The CPSC and Walmart are recalling Better Homes and Gardens Essential Oil Infused Aromatherapy Room Spray with Gemstones. This product contaminated with Burkholderia pseudomallei, a reasonably rare bacterium that causes melioidosis, a nasty infection that may present as a pneumonia, encephalitis, septic arthritis, or dangerous hypotension. This infection may be fatal. About 3900 bottles of this aromatherapy room spray were sold by Walmart at stores nationwide and online at walmart.com.
If you bought this aromatherapy spray and it is unopened, do not open it and do not throw the bottle away. Wear gloves when handling this product. Double bag the bottle in zip top bags and place in a small cardboard box for return to any Walmart store for a $20 Walmart Gift Card. Wash any sheets, linens, or clothing with spray on them using normal laundry detergent and dry completely at a hot setting. Wipe down any surfaces exposed to the spray with an undiluted disinfectant. Wash your hands after cleaning up.
For more information, call Walmart at 1-800-925-6278.
#walmart #aromatherapy #infection #melioidosis #recall
walmart, aromatherapy, infection, melioidosis, recall
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FDA Recalls
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There is a Red, Yellow, and White Onion Mega Recall
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/PoYnub-BRgo
The FDA, Keeler Family Farms, ProSource Produce LLC, Everyplate, Hello Fresh, and Potandon Produce have recalled MVP, Big Bull, Peak Fresh Produce, Sierra Madre, Markon First Crop, Markon Essentials, Rio Blue, ProSource, Rio Valley, Sysco Imperial, and Green Giant red, yellow, and white onions as well as onions in Everyplate and Hello Fresh meal kits. These onions are contaminated with salmonella. This bacterium causes serious and possibly fatal infections in the young, elders, and those with weak immune systems. Even otherwise healthy individuals can experience gastroenteritis with diarrhea, fever, nausea, and vomiting, and the infection may progress into systemic sepsis. These onions have been sold in AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IA, IL, ID, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI, WV, and in the Ontario and Quebec provinces of Canada. If you purchased ANY red, yellow, or white onions do not consume them. Immediately discard them and decontaminate any surfaces that have come in contact with these onions. Those with questions may contact Keeler Farms at 1-575-652-5405, ProSource at 1-208-928-4959, Everyplate at everyplate.com/contact, HelloFresh at hellofresh.com/contact-page, and Potandon at 1-800-637-8084.
https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts
#onions #red #white #yellow #keeler #prosource #everyplate #hellofresh #greengiant #salmonella #gastroenteritis #sepsis #recall
onions, red, white, yellow, keeler, prosource, everyplate, hellofresh, greengiant salmonella, gastroenteritis, sepsis, recall
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