Category: Infectious Diseases
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
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
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Sickbert-Bennett Discusses Research On Double Masks and New CDC Guidance On Masking Outdoors
Emily Sickbert-Bennett, PhD, MS In an article published by Explico.co, Emily Sickbert-Bennett, PhD, MS, associate professor of infectious diseases, described mask combinations that were tested on volunteers, from a single cloth mask to folded surgical masks. The studies found that wearing a full coverage mask, such as a bandana or neck warmer over a surgical mask provided the bes … Read more
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Switching Shots: Health Experts Discuss Different Brands For COVID-19 Vaccine Booster
David Weber, MD, MPH With supply and demand a concern for COVID-19 vaccines in some communities, a WRAL news story asked the question: Is it safe to mix different brands of vaccines? Guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration currently recommend staying consistent with the type of vaccine a patient receives, especially … Read more
Gay Says It’s Early to Assume a COVID-19 Booster Will Be Needed, But Good to be Prepared
Cindy Gay, MD, MPH It’s possible a COVID-19 vaccine booster will be necessary, just as it is with other vaccines. Moderna is readying for that next inoculation by the fall. But Cindy Gay, MD, MPH, assistant professor in the division of infectious diseases, says it’s too early to know if we’ll need it by then. “I think it’s just a little premature because we really don’t have the … Read more