The Med & Mic™ 03.16.22

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MED NEWS blog post from Dr. Maria ON Speaking, LLC

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Potential Second Booster for Seniors

A second booster of the COVID-19 may be coming for people 65 and older. Pfizer has asked the FDA to grant authorization for the extra shot for this group. “We know already that their immune systems don't work quite as well and that they are at higher risk for severe disease,” says vaccine researcher Dr. Anna Durbin in an NBC News report. Pfizer is presenting data from Israel. For the people who got a second booster, the rate of infection was decreased two-fold, and the rate of severe illness was decreased four-fold with a second booster, compared to those who only had one booster.

Nearly One in Four COVID Cases is Omicron BA.2

The CDC estimates 23% of COVID cases as of March 12 are from the highly contagious subvariant of Omicron, BA.2. In New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Rhode Island, BA.2 makes up 39% of cases. The week prior, only 14% of cases were BA.2. More from Reuters.

Omicron was Tough On Babies

During the Omicron wave, 63% of children who were hospitalized had no other health conditions. The rate of hospitalization of infants younger than 6 months increased six times over what was seen with Delta. During the two waves babies in this age group accounted for 44% of hospitalizations for children 0 to 4 years old. “This group can receive protection through passive transplacental transfer of maternal antibodies acquired through vaccination,” says COVID-tracker Kristin Marks, PhD, in an article from MedPage Today. Monthly intensive care admissions for children were up 3.5 times during Omicron compared to Delta.

Breast Calcifications May Herald Cardiovascular Disease

Arterial calcifications noted on mammograms could be a predictor of atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women. The study involved more than 5,000 women age 60-79. Those with calcifications in the breast arteries were 51% more likely to have a heart attack or stroke or bypass surgery. The researchers recommend that the mammogram findings should be considered with other cardiovascular risk factors, and that patient counseling should be based on the level of risk. More in Healio.

FDA Approves Generic Inhaler

The first generic version of Symbicort, an inhaled steroid and long-acting medicine to expand the airways, has been approved by the FDA. The complex drug-device combination is for asthma and COPD. “This reflects the FDA’s continued efforts to increase competition and access to quality, safe, effective, and affordable medicines,” says the FDA’s Sally Choe, PhD in an article from MedPage Today. The approval was granted to Mylan Pharmaceuticals.

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Remember: this post is for informational purposes only and may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis, or the advice of your own physician. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here.

The Med & Mic™ 03.16.22

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