Author: Kate Smith

Johns Hopkins Infectious Diseases COVID-19 Grand Rounds

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Hosted by Drs. Michael Melia and Natasha Chida, COVID-19 Grand Rounds presents clinical cases, in-depth literature reviews, and infectious disease expertise within the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine to provide clinicians with relevant and timely information about the care of patients with COVID-19. All case presentations in this program have been standardized and quality assured in selection, presentation and discussion. Our goal is to publish and build a library of cases that will aid providers treating patients with COVID-19 in a rapidly changing landscape.    NOTE: COVID-19 Grand Rounds is an educational resource intended solely for healthcare providers. It is not to be Read More …

COVID-19 Vaccine Speed

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Will the speed of COVID-19 vaccine development reset industry norms?  New drugs and vaccines typically take several years to hit the market. In fact, the average time to develop a drug or vaccine has been eight to ten years — until recently. In a new analysis, McKinsey reviews what it took to shorten that timeline to less than a year. It examines the funding, operational, technological, and regulatory factors that allowed for fast development of Covid-19 vaccines, revealing which variables will remain relevant for future efforts — and which won’t.

Major Changes to COVID Restrictions

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WILMINGTON, Del. — Governor John Carney and the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) on Tuesday announced major upcoming changes to Delaware’s COVID-19 restrictions. Effective Friday, May 21:  All capacity restrictions inside restaurants, retail, other business establishments and houses of worship will be lifted.  Facilities will be able to use as much capacity as social distancing requirements will allow. Masks will still be required indoors to prevent spread of COVID-19.  Outdoors, Delawareans should follow masking guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Risk for COVID-19 spread increases in large crowds that include unvaccinated people. In those cases, CDC recommends that everyone Read More …

National Infant Immunization Week

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This week, April 24-May 1, 2021, is National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW).  NIIW is an annual observance to highlight the positive impact of vaccination on the lives of infants and children, and this year a priority is to ensure that families stay on track for children’s routine checkups and vaccinations, even during COVID-19.  As in-person learning and play become more common, on-time vaccination is even more urgent to help provide immunity against 14 diseases with recommended childhood vaccinations. Learn more

How to create pro-vaccine messaging

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Need some help creating pro-vaccine messaging? Want to encourage others to vaccinate? Check out our Best Practices page for updates from the experts! http://www.immunizedelaware.org/for-professionals/general-best-practice-guidelines-for-immunization/

Help Kids’ Safe Return to School

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COVID-19 disrupted both in-person learning and routine well-child visits for many children over the last year. Asa result, too many children have fallen behind on receiving recommended vaccines. We all want our kids to beback in school safely, and that means getting caught up on vaccines that were missed over the last year. Pfizer will likely submit for an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for vaccine use in ages 12-15 soon, Moderna and Johnson&Johnson will likely follow for ages 12-17 in time. It is time to push to get caught up with other vaccines now, since COVID-19 vaccines should not be Read More …

2021 State of the ImmUnion

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The report presents an overview of the current state of vaccine-preventable diseases in the U.S. and offers members of Congress ways to help ensure our country is stronger and more resilient in the face of emerging health threats.  Read more

Delaware COVID-19 Vaccine Information

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Governor John Carney and the Delaware Division on Public Health (DPH) on Tuesday announced an expansion of Delaware’s COVID-19 vaccination program.  On Wednesday, pharmacies in Delaware may begin vaccinating ​Delawareans aged 50+.  Also on Wednesday, health care providers, including hospitals, may vaccinate patients 16+ with high ​and moderate-risk medical condition​s. Providers who are NOT vaccinating may refer patients to hospital systems. Delawareans should contact their medical provider ​about vaccination opportunities. DPH has also encouraged providers to contact their highest risk patients directly to schedule vaccination appointments. Non-paid caregivers of Delawareans with high- and moderate-risk medical conditions may also qualify for vaccination through medical providers. On Tuesday, March 23, Read More …

CDC: Fully Vaccinated Guidance

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The CDC has recommended actions for persons who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. People are considered fully vaccinated if it has been two weeks or more since they have received: the second dose in a two-dose series (i.e. Pfizer or Moderna) the first dose in a single dose vaccine (i.e. Johnson & Johnson) These recommendations apply only to non-healthcare settings, and include  Visiting with other fully vaccinated people indoors without the use of masks/distancing; Visiting with unvaccinated people from a single household at low risk for severe COVID-19 indoors without masks/distancing; and Refraining from quarantine/testing following a known exposure. Read More …

Second-Dose Appointments Now Open

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Individuals who received their first dose of COVID-19 28 or more days ago (on or before January 29) from a pharmacy, medical provider, clinic or other source in Delaware and have not yet obtained a second dose may sign up for a Friday appointment at the ongoing vaccination event at Dover International Speedway operated by the State of Delaware and Federal Emergency Management Agency. Those in the new eligibility window should make their appointments for Friday, before 6 p.m. Thursday. This is a wider eligibility window than announced earlier this week. Those being vaccinated will need to demonstrate with their Read More …