Category: Infectious Diseases
Vaccine Providers Seek to Make Process Comfortable, Efficient For Teens and Families
David Wohl, MD Now that young teenagers are eligible for the COVID-19 shot, vaccine providers across the Triangle are working to make the vaccination process as easy as possible for families, reports WNCT-9 news. David Wohl, MD, professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases, told WNCT that parents who aren’t yet vaccinated can often get their shots when their child … Read more
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How NC Dodged a Potential 4th Wave of Covid-19
David Wohl, MD New cases of COVID-19 in North Carolina have dropped by more than 35 percent during the past four weeks, a CBS17.com data analysis found. With Gov. Roy Cooper lifting all capacity and social distancing regulations along with most mask requirements, the trends have reversed four weeks after a 30 percent increase in new cases fueled concerns about a possible fourth w … Read more
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Local 12-Year-Old Gets COVID Vaccine For Birthday
David Wohl, MD A WRAL.com report says vaccine sites at Duke, UNC, CVS and Walgreens have seen excited kids showing up to get their COVID vaccine – including one kid who was eager to get the shot on his birthday. At the Friday Center, David Wohl, MD, professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases, offered assurances to the parents of the young teen, explaining that t … Read more
Weber Discusses Why the CDC Vaccine Tracking System Has Become a Treasure Trove of Data for Skeptics
David Weber, MD, MPH CBS-17 reports that the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System is an easy way for people receiving the COVID-19 vaccines to let federal medical experts know precisely what side effects they might be dealing with. It’s also become a treasure trove of data for vaccine skeptics — and misinformation has become a major problem during the massive inoculation effort … Read more
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With NC’s COVID-19 Testing Levels So Low, How Reliable is the Positivity Test Rate?
David Weber, MD, MPH CBS-17 reports that one of the key COVID-19 numbers the state wants to be stable before further restrictions are lifted June 1 might be less valuable now than it was a few months ago. The test positivity rate — the percentage of tests found to be positive — hinges on how frequently people are being tested for the virus. David Weber, MD, professor of medicine … Read more
UNC Health Enrolling Kids in Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine Trial
Cindy Gay, MD, MPH Cindy Gay, MD, MPH, was interviewed for a WTKR (Coastal, VA, and Northeastern NC) news report about enrolling children in Novavax Covid-19 vaccine trials at UNC. She described the goal to enroll 3,000 adolescents ages 12-17 while prioritizing diversity throughout the age group in the trial. “It’s really important from a really big picture perspective,” Gay exp … Read more
Mobile Gaming App Enhances HIV Care
Kate Meussig, PhD, and Lisa Hightow-Weidman, MD, MPH Researchers at UNC and Duke have improved HIV care by gamifying it with a mobile gaming application. The study was co-led by Lisa Hightow-Weidman, MD, MPH, professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases, and Kate Meussig, PhD, at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health. Gaming features – like those used t … Read more
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Triangle Vaccine Providers Stand Ready to Vaccinate Young Adults; Rural Areas Show Hesitancy
CBS-17 news reports that many vaccine providers are preparing to vaccinate 12-15 year-olds as soon as federal health officials give the green light. David Wohl, MD “We can start immediately; we’re ready,” said David Wohl, MD, professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases, in the story. Wohl also told CBS-17 that UNC clinics expect significant demand from this age g … Read more
J&J Shot Returns to Vaccine Rotation at UNC Health
Credit: WRAL UNC will administer the shots at the Friday Center in Chapel Hill weeks after the J&J vaccine underwent a nationwide pause based on guidance by the CDC. UNC Health’s David Wohl, MD, explained the delay for UNC returning to the J&J COVID-19 vaccine in a WRAL interview. “It really had only to do with logistics of scheduling,” said Wohl, professor of medicine in … Read more
Sickbert-Bennett Talks About How to Wear a Mask For Double Protection
Emily Sickbert-Bennett, PhD, MS Emily Sickbert-Bennett, PhD, MS, was featured in La Neta Neta discussing a recent mask study. In the news story, she explains that the study team has been able to show that the double mask is not more effective because of the additional layers but because it offers a better fit. Read the article.
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Wohl Discusses the Decline in Vaccination Rates, Concerns For Lifting Rules, and the Start of Vaccine Trials For Young People
David Wohl, MD NC Policy Watch reports the total number of vaccinations dropped by 23% over one week in April, an indication that North Carolina still faces challenges in achieving its vaccination goals. Now, the state Department of Health and Human Services wants to direct vaccination efforts toward neighborhoods where few people have gotten shots. David Wohl, MD, professor of m … Read more
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Sickbert-Bennett Offers Tips For Summer Plans After Vaccination
Emily Sickbert-Bennett, PhD, MS People who have received a COVID-19 vaccine may be wondering when they can safely hug loved ones, hang out with friends, and go to sporting events or concerts. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently issued guidelines on what should (and should not) be done after becoming fully vaccinated. A WRAL Go Ask Mom story features Emily Sick … Read more