Coronavirus

Obesity-related factors, including changes to the innate and adaptive immune systems brought on by excess weight, are believed to be associated with an increased risk of contracting various viral diseases.

In the summer of 2020, there were 2.5 times as many deaths per capita for Black Americans, compared to White Americans.

Policy changes impacting the star ratings for 2022 include additional flexibility provided during the COVID-19 pandemic and a revised Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances policy.

The agency also advised that fully vaccinated individuals can resume many activities without wearing a mask or social distancing.

Slightly less than 1% of the pregnant patients died from COVID-19 compared to 3.5% of nonpregnant patients, according to the study findings.

Pharmacists interact with patients more than any other member of the health care team, therefore it is vital they help address barriers and gaps in member care that impact plan performance.

Pharmacy Times® interviewed the CEO of US Pharmacopeia (USP) Ronald Piervincenzi, PhD, to discuss USP’s history, the role of the pharmacist both in that history and in USP’s work today, and USP’s outlook on the future of pharmacy.

The research is a follow-up to a previous study published in March in which the researchers reported that only 17% of participating transplant recipients produced sufficient antibodies after just 1 dose of a 2-dose COVID-19 vaccine regimen.

Seeing the vital role of pharmacists during the pandemic has solidified many students' desire to join the profession.

Nasir Iqbal, PharmD, Rphl, the director of pharmacy at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln, discusses the COVID-19 vaccine rollout at the Lincoln Medical Center in the Bronx.

Kofi Amoah, PharmD, has gained unique pharmacy and health care experience while working to help end the historic COVID-19 pandemic.

Ed Zacharias, a managing partner of the Boston office at McDermott Will & Emery and a partner in the health industry advisory group, discusses the intersection of telemedicine and cybersecurity, specifically in relation to ransomware attacks.

Although many pharmacy students’ academic experiences were changed by the COVID-19 pandemic, leadership opportunities were still available for students who took the time to find them.

According to the authors, increased arterial stiffness was found in young adults, which may impact heart health.

Research is ongoing in younger children between the ages of 6 months and 11 years of age, with first doses administered in March 2021.

Rosemarie Leighton, RPh, director of pharmacy, NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi, discussed the coordination of COVID-19 vaccinations at the Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx.

The study is one of the first to show an association between COVID-19 vaccination and fewer asymptomatic infections, according to the authors.

To accelerate the national COVID-19 vaccination campaign, Husson University in Bangor, Maine, has announced that it will provide training to any pharmacist, technicians, or intern.

The researchers said that the findings should renew efforts to assure flu vaccination is a routine part of quality cardiovascular care.

This week on Pharmacy Times, there are a number of important topics that will be covered and posted throughout the week.

Initial data from a phase 2 study showed that a single 50 µg dose of COVID-19 vaccines mRNA-1273 or mRNA-1273.351 given as a booster to individuals who were previously vaccinated increased their neutralizing antibody titer responses against SARS-CoV-2.

Obstacles such as COVID-19 vaccine rollout disparities, vaccine hesitancy, and continuous virus mutation could make herd immunity impossible.

The alliance between pharmaceutical partners and government organizations signals the possibilities of shared resources in meeting global crises.

The companies have also submitted an application to expand the current EUA for the COVID-19 vaccine to include individuals 12 to 15 years of age.

Although prolonged COVID-19 infections are rare, even in children or young adults with compromised immunity, it could have public health implications.

Although pharmacists have largely relied on patients coming into their facility, they should begin going out into the community to build trust in COVID-19 vaccines.

The authors of the study suggest that any patient with HZ should be tested for COVID-19, even if the individual has mild symptoms or no history of upper respiratory symptoms.

Caroline Carney, MD, MSc, FAPM, CPHQ, chief medical officer of Magellan Health, a board-certified internist, and a board-certified psychiatrist, discusses the impact of trauma and stress on overall health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The study is most comprehensive analysis to date of changes in hospital mortality throughout the pandemic, reviewing data on more than 20,000 patients admitted to hospitals for COVID-19 over 9 months, according to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington.

IQVIA researchers saw a sharp uptick in medication usage shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic began, followed by a steep fall in the first few months of the pandemic.