There’s a lot going on in the world of medicine and I’m deeply engaged in clinical work and ongoing research with my colleagues in Qatar, Israel, and that other far flung foreign land of which I have little cultural understanding: Connecticut. Meanwhile, here are two big stories I’ve been watching this week.
Thank you so much for your question on Spring Boosters to Dr. Califf concerning immune compromised and older folks. Sadly, his answers were evasive and generalized, a politician’s response. But YOU did press for specifics and many appreciate that. But for people like myself, severely immune compromised, the problem is specific, immediate, and complex. In 3 weeks, I’m due my disease modifying drug for Progressive MS, Ocrevus. Since it suppresses my immune system (B cells) I must get the COVID booster 2-4 weeks BEFORE the Ocrevus, otherwise I have to wait 12 weeks AFTER the Ocrevus infusion (Brigham MS Center recommendation). That could mean 11 months with no booster since it’s already been over 7 months since my last booster. And “Nearly one month out from the end of the public health emergency in the U.S., hospitalizations are on the rise in 16 different states, and a new omicron subvariant (Omicron XBB.1.16) has been spotted in 18 states. https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/public-health/covid-19-hospitalizations-up-in-16-states-1-month-out-from-end-of-phe.html. I use myself as an example, but this is typical of many people like myself. We are already overwhelmed with catching up on healthcare visits and procedures delayed by COVID. My only other option is to delay my MS treatment as the neuro problems flare. My breathing muscles are impacted and I’m in a wheelchair. I still have a job (part time), I work for my city Commission on Disability (volunteer) and state orgs to help those disabled folks who are not fortunate enough to be white middle class and have med insurance as I do. It is not only a matter of our short life expectancy, but also quality of life. I wish I was 71 and in good enough health to have such a demanding job as FDA Commissioner. Thanks again for your part.
Any idea what’s happening with novavax vaccine? Will it be available in the US as an alternative to the RNA vaccines? Could there be added benefit to mixing and matching?
As a Colorado Veterinarian, we have had a requirement for opioid training since 2019.
(CO Statute 12-30-114, C.R.S.) "...as a condition of renewing, reactivating, or reinstating a license on or after October 1, 2019, to complete up to four credit hours of training per licensing cycle in order to demonstrate competency regarding: Best practices for opioid prescribing, according to the most recent version of the division's guidelines for the safe prescribing and dispensing of opioids; recognition of substance use disorders; referral of patients with substance use disorders for treatment; and the use of the electronic prescription drug monitoring program created in part 4 of article 280 of this title 12."
I don’t know what vet med is like (maybe better?!), but the amount of “random garbage”™️ MDs and DOs have to do is just crazy already. So anything that reduces it would be good.
Thank you so much for your question on Spring Boosters to Dr. Califf concerning immune compromised and older folks. Sadly, his answers were evasive and generalized, a politician’s response. But YOU did press for specifics and many appreciate that. But for people like myself, severely immune compromised, the problem is specific, immediate, and complex. In 3 weeks, I’m due my disease modifying drug for Progressive MS, Ocrevus. Since it suppresses my immune system (B cells) I must get the COVID booster 2-4 weeks BEFORE the Ocrevus, otherwise I have to wait 12 weeks AFTER the Ocrevus infusion (Brigham MS Center recommendation). That could mean 11 months with no booster since it’s already been over 7 months since my last booster. And “Nearly one month out from the end of the public health emergency in the U.S., hospitalizations are on the rise in 16 different states, and a new omicron subvariant (Omicron XBB.1.16) has been spotted in 18 states. https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/public-health/covid-19-hospitalizations-up-in-16-states-1-month-out-from-end-of-phe.html. I use myself as an example, but this is typical of many people like myself. We are already overwhelmed with catching up on healthcare visits and procedures delayed by COVID. My only other option is to delay my MS treatment as the neuro problems flare. My breathing muscles are impacted and I’m in a wheelchair. I still have a job (part time), I work for my city Commission on Disability (volunteer) and state orgs to help those disabled folks who are not fortunate enough to be white middle class and have med insurance as I do. It is not only a matter of our short life expectancy, but also quality of life. I wish I was 71 and in good enough health to have such a demanding job as FDA Commissioner. Thanks again for your part.
I believe we will soon convince Dr. Califf to go for a 6 month cadence for severely immunocompromised people.
Any idea what’s happening with novavax vaccine? Will it be available in the US as an alternative to the RNA vaccines? Could there be added benefit to mixing and matching?
I haven’t kept up with novovax data but I’ll try to check into it! Remind me if I don’t
As a Colorado Veterinarian, we have had a requirement for opioid training since 2019.
(CO Statute 12-30-114, C.R.S.) "...as a condition of renewing, reactivating, or reinstating a license on or after October 1, 2019, to complete up to four credit hours of training per licensing cycle in order to demonstrate competency regarding: Best practices for opioid prescribing, according to the most recent version of the division's guidelines for the safe prescribing and dispensing of opioids; recognition of substance use disorders; referral of patients with substance use disorders for treatment; and the use of the electronic prescription drug monitoring program created in part 4 of article 280 of this title 12."
This has not been an onerous burden for me.
I don’t know what vet med is like (maybe better?!), but the amount of “random garbage”™️ MDs and DOs have to do is just crazy already. So anything that reduces it would be good.