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COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Doses May Be available September: Joint Statement from HHS PUblic Health & Medical Experts
The CDC and FDA released a Joint Statement today indicating COVID-19 vaccine booster doses for all Americans possibly beginning as soon as September 2021. An excerpt is below: “We have developed a plan to begin offering these booster shots this fall subject to FDA conducting an independent evaluation and determination of the safety and effectiveness…
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My Most Dreaded Retirement Question
Yesterday somebody asked me “So what do you do now that you’re retired?” I have come to dread the question. I told him I write this blog. That seemed to surprise him a little. It sounded a little lame to me as I said it. I’m not sure it’s the right answer to this question…
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CDC Publishes Data Prompting the Mask Guideline change
Today the CDC posted the data supporting the change in the mask guidelines for the fully vaccinated. It’s in the July 30, 2021 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) describing the outbreak of several hundred new cases of the Delta variant COVID-19 infection in Barnstable County, Massachusetts following July 4th events. Those who were fully…
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What the Heck is a Shewhart Chart?
This is just a post from a retired psychiatrist who barely passed the statistics course in medical school, so take it with a big grain of salt. I found an article written by Rocco J. Perla about something called Shewhart control charts to monitor the course of pandemic fluctuations. I noticed it because of what…
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Listening to the CDC
Like everyone else, I groaned aloud about the revised CDC mask guidelines yesterday. I still trust the CDC guidance, and I’m sure many might disagree with me. I think some headlines overstate the CDC mask change. I don’t believe it’s a “reversal” per se. I think it’s common sense to wear a mask if you’re…
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Update on Advisory Committee On Immunization Practices Meeting July 22, 2021
Presentation slides for the ACIP meeting today are available here. Updates to clinical communication indicate that, while patients with a history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) are eligible for any of the authorized vaccines, they should discuss with their clinical teams the availability of mRNA vaccines given the association of GBS with the J&J vaccine. For…
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Vaccines and Shirt Pocket Flap Puckers
This morning I put on my shirt and noticed the pocket flap puckers for the umpteenth time. I also got a reminder about how difficult it is to keep fingernail clippings from zinging all over the bathroom. I did a quick web search and saw that both problems are perennial with no great solutions. There’s…
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Joint CDC and FDA Statement on Vaccine Boosters
See the Joint CDC and FDA statement on vaccine boosters here. Also read the CDC July 2, 2021 COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review here.
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Results of CDC Emergency Meeting Today on COVID-19 Vaccine Safety
The ACIP presentation slide sets available for June 23, 2021 regarding safety of COVID-19 vaccine including myocarditis and pericarditis and booster doses are here. Updated CDC recommendations for myocarditis and pericarditis following mRNA COVID-19 vaccination are here. Data does not support recommending booster doses currently although monitoring will continue.
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When Fully Vaccinated You Can…Reminder
The graphic below is from University of Iowa Health Care. It’s a reminder of what you can do after you’ve been fully vaccinated for COVID-19. You can review CDC guidance here.
Go Retire Psychiatrist 