One of our three Dallas Fort Worth Hospitals had twenty-three total Covid-19 hospitalized individuals, including multiple patients intubated in the ICU fighting for their life.

What a difference a week makes.

For several weeks experts warned us of the rising cases of the Covid-19 Delta Variant. The Delta variant, SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 (Delta), was first identified in India in late 2020. This strain rapidly spread throughout the world and is now the dominant variant in the United States, including Texas.

My trusted colleague and friend for the last 25 years, Dr. Jennifer Shuford is now Texas’ chief state epidemiologist. She spoke with Texas Standard and broke down the key facts all Texans need to know.

Dr. Shufford warns the combination of low vaccination rates, the highly contagious nature of the Delta variant, and the steepness of the current Delta variant curve paint an ominous potential future for our State over the next few months.

Dr. Shuford emphasizes the delta variant is popping up all over Texas, but the people at most significant risk are in areas with low vaccination rates.

The Delta variant is the most contagious variant so far. It passes easily and quickly from person to person. Children also catch the delta variant at a higher right than the original Covid-19 virus.

Health experts have warned us all to prepare for its impact. Dr. Benjamin Neuman, a virology professor at Texas A&M University, told The Texas Tribune:

Clearly, COVID is not over.

The Delta variant, SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 (Delta), was first identified in India in late 2020. This strain rapidly spread throughout the world and is now the dominant variant in the United States, including Texas.

In mid-June, the CDC labeled Delta as a variant of concern. Inside of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, a smaller group called the SARS-CoV-2 Interagency Group (SIG) developed a Variant Classification scheme that defines three classes of SARS-CoV-2 variants:

• Variant of Interest
• Variant of Concern
• Variant of High Consequence

The Delta variant is nasty. A mutation in the spike protein makes the virus more “sticky.” It is more contagious and spreads in children faster than the original Covid-19 strain.

Yale Medicine pediatric infectious diseases specialist and a vaccinologist Inci Yildirim, MD, Ph.D., explained to Yale medicine News:

As older age groups get vaccinated, those who are younger and unvaccinated will be at higher risk of getting COVID-19 with any variant, but Delta seems to be impacting younger age groups more than previous variants.

The Delta variant is spreading fast in states with low vaccination rates and states where Government officials like Governor Greg Abbott do not take the virus seriously or listen to scientific experts.

On June 5, Governor Greg Abbott, who says he believes in local control of schools, issued a Government mandate blocking districts from requiring mask mandates. His Executive Order prohibits local leaders from following the science or deciding what is best for their communities.

The American Academy of Pediatrics released 2021-22 school recommendations that included strong support for in-person learning and recommended that everyone older than age two wear masks, regardless of vaccination status.

Governor Abbott believes individual responsibility is the key to sound public health policy. His actions do not match his words.

The Governor vetoed The Christine Blubaugh Act, Senate Bill 1109, which coasted through Congress passing with bipartisan support. The bill would have helped reduce the rate of teen sexual and dating violence.

Governor Abbott does not support individual responsibility in reproductive health. He believes the government knows what is best for women when he signed the “heartbeat bill” to limit individual liberty and freedom.

People on both sides support individual liberty. We also want to go to work and send our children to school in a safe environment.

The Dallas Morning News (DMN) reported 40% of all US Covid cases are coming from three states: Texas, Florida, and Missouri. Governor Abbott’s current plan solely depending on individual responsibility is not working.

Here is what Texas looks like compared to the rest of the nation.

Becker Hospital Review shared current vaccination rates among the states. Texas Ranks number 38. Thirty-seven states have a higher vaccination rate than Texas

• #38. Texas Number of people fully vaccinated: 12,503,152 Percentage of the population fully vaccinated: 43.12
• #39. Missouri Number of people fully vaccinated: 2,484,985 Percentage of the population fully vaccinated: 40.49
• #25. Florida Number of people fully vaccinated: 10,320,953 Percentage of the population fully vaccinated: 48.05

The DMN reported Texas added 25,026 coronavirus cases which account for 8.9% of all cases in the US. The Delta variant cases all appearing all over the State, but clusters are centered in large metropolitan areas. Travis County and Houston have raised the threat level based on the rise in cases. Dallas County has not.

The University of Texas Southwestern (UTSW) in Dallas has consistently provided reliable data since the onset of the pandemic. Their experts warn we must improve vaccination rates to prevent the spread of the Delta Variant.

UTSW Infectious disease faculty explain the current state of affairs here in this video.

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Jennifer Bridges and 116 other plaintiffs claimed Houston Methodist Hospital was forcing its employees to get COVID vaccines that are “experimental and dangerous.” Firing employees for refusing the vaccine is “wrongful termination,” the plaintiffs said.

We should point out that although millions of Americans have already been vaccinated against Covid, the vaccines remain classified as EUA medicines (Emergency Use Authorization) and under Federal law cannot be mandated.

Houston Methodist suspended nearly 200 employees last week who had refused the vaccine.

U.S. District Judge Lynn Hughes said in his ruling that Texas law only protects employees from being fired if they are asked to commit an illegal act that carries criminal penalties. According to the judge’s ruling,

“receiving a covid vaccination is not an illegal act, and it carries no criminal penalties.”

The plaintiffs argued that requiring employees to get the COVID vaccine violates federal law because the vaccines have not received full approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are still Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) products.

Judge Hughes dismissed this claim, saying the law authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to roll out “medical products intended for use in an emergency.”

Hughes said:

“The law confers certain powers and responsibilities to the Secretary of Health and Human Services in an emergency. It neither expands nor restricts the responsibilities of private employers; in fact, it does not apply at all to private employers like the hospital in this case. It does not confer a private opportunity to sue the government, employer, or worker.”

In his ruling, Hughes said, claims that the vaccines are dangerous are “false, and it is also irrelevant.”

According to Our World in Data, the global covid vaccine drive has delivered the following results;

20.7% of the world population has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
2.4 billion doses have been administered globally, and 33.1 million are now administered each day.
Only 0.8% of people in low-income countries have received at least one dose.

Again, it should be stressed that the issue here isn’t about the immediate safety of the covid vaccine. That has been established beyond doubt. All the Covid vaccines carry a very, very minimal risk of side effects. The issue revolves around the long-term effects of the vaccines being undetermined.

We cannot know what we haven’t yet had time to study or assess.

The Texas ruling means employees of Houston Medical must provide proof of being vaccinated for COVID or lose their jobs.

Dr. Marc Boom, CEO, and president of Houston Methodist said in a statement:

“…99 percent of Houston Methodist’s 26,000 employees have met the requirements for the vaccination mandate. It is unfortunate that the few remaining employees who refuse to get vaccinated and put our patients first are responding in this way.”

Jared Woodfill, an attorney representing Bridges and other plaintiffs, said his clients are “committed to fighting this unjust policy.”

Woodfill told Fox News, Houston Methodist is using the covid vaccine mandate to promote profits. The hospital is trying to convince patients to leave their healthcare provider and come to Houston Methodist because all of its employees are vaccinated, said Woodfill.

“The problem with that line of thinking,” said Woodfill, “is that you’re telling the hospital’s employees they are going to be human guinea pigs.” For the plaintiffs, “this is a question of being able to pay their house notes, pay their car notes, provide for their families and avoid bankruptcy,” said Woodfill. “It’s just plain wrong.”

This ruling will no doubt provide other companies and employers the green light to start mandating Covid vaccines for their own staff. The federal government has been skirting around the issue, choosing to defer to individual state decisions.

Judge Hughes may just have pushed Washington into a corner, as more claims will no doubt arise from the consequences of his judgment. Remember his name, it’s going to be cropping up a lot in the months to come.

The post Texas Judge Makes Covid Vaccines Mandatory in Texas. Vaccinate or be Fired appeared first on Medika Life.

Houston Methodist Chief Executive Officer Dr. Marc Boom notified the staff via email of the new vaccine policy back in March. In April, the Methodist system mandated all staff to begin the vaccination series before Jun 7.

Vaccines reached the arms of 99% of the 26,000 employees, but 117 unvaccinated staff members have filed suit against Houston Methodist over the Covid-19 vaccine requirements.

ABCNews reports the lawsuit alleges that Covid-19 vaccine requirements in the hospital setting are illegal because the three US Covid-19 vaccines are FDA approved only under emergency use authorization. The complaint states the hospital violates the Nurenberg Code.

The Nurenberg Code is a set of medical ethics designed to protect human subjects voluntarily participating in clinical trials. The Nurenberg Code was created more than 70 years ago after the Nurenberg trials exposed the horrific truth of Nazi medical experimentation on Jewish prisoners at the Auschwitz concentration camp.

Although Houston Methodist was the first hospital to require vaccinations, The decision is backed up by clinical data. A CDC report showed the messenger RNA vaccines are 90 percent effective at preventing COVID-19 infections in healthcare workers and first responders.

The CDC published updated information on healthcare worker vaccine safety and efficacy in the March 29th Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. This update analyzed Covid-19 vaccines in a real-world setting. The findings showed the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna were 90 percent effective at preventing COVID-19 infections among healthcare personnel, first responders, and other essential frontline workers.

Improving the number of vaccinated workers reduces the risk of spreading the infection from health providers to patients.

Houston Methodist’s staff Covid-19 vaccine requirements align with the influenza vaccine policy it implemented in 2009. Religious and medical exemptions are allowed. Pregnant women may choose to wait until after delivery to start the Covid-19 vaccine series. Of note, multiple studies now show Covid-19 vaccines in pregnancy are safe for mom and baby.

The hospital considers employee vaccinations to be a patient safety issue. Like other required hospital vaccinations, employees will not be permitted to return to work unless they are vaccinated.

Most hospitals have an employee vaccination policy to help prevent medical professionals from inadvertently spreading infectious diseases to patients. The CDC recommends vaccinations for healthcare workers. The recommendations include physicians, nurses, emergency medical personnel, dental professionals and students, medical and nursing students, laboratory technicians, pharmacists, hospital volunteers, and administrative staff.

These CDC-recommended vaccinations currently include Hepatitis B, Influenza, MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella), Varicella, and Tdap (Tetanus, Diptheria, Pertussis). Most hospitals also require annual tuberculosis risk assessments.

Vaccinating healthcare workers reduces the risk of hospital-acquired infections. Vaccinations protect hospital staff from infectious disease exposure and reduce the risk of a healthcare worker transmitting an infection to a hospitalized patient.

Updated guidance from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission indicates employers may require vaccination stating “Federal EEO laws do not prevent an employer from requiring all employees physically entering the workplace to be vaccinated for COVID-19, so long as employers comply with the reasonable accommodation provisions of the ADA and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other EEO considerations.”

There are three FDA-approved vaccines for Covid-19 under emergency use authorization. Full FDA approval is expected as the results of ongoing clinical trials are completed and analyzed.

The two messenger RNA vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer offer 95% protection against Covid-19. The Covid-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna use messenger RNA (mRNA). A single strand of mRNA delivers instructions to human cells to produce an antibody against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.

The Johnson and Johnson’s Janssen vaccine offers 72% protection against infection and 86% against severe disease. The Janssen vaccine uses Adenovirus 26 (AD26) as the vector to deliver DNA material into our cells to provoke an immune response.

The Moderna and Janssen vaccines are approved for those 18 years old and up. The Pfizer vaccine is approved starting at age 16.

All three vaccines are highly effective in preventing death.

The post Unvaccinated Hospital Staff Sues Houston Methodist Over Covid-19 Vaccinations appeared first on Medika Life.

Senator Bob Hall from Edgewood is leading an effort in the Texas legislative session to stop mandatory vaccinations throughout the State. Senate Bill 1669 seeks to stop any state-mandated vaccinations, not just the Covid-19 vaccines. Senator Hall is not proposing limitations on vaccines approved by the FDA emergency use authorization. SB 1669 seeks to stop all vaccination requirements.

Senate Bill 1669 proposes to prohibit “discrimination regarding vaccination status and mandates for receiving or participating in the administration of vaccines.” The bill is touted as a promotion of individual liberty. But the bill removes vaccine requirements for public schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and any place of employment. The bill imposes penalties on any entity requiring vaccinations.

If Senator Bob Halls’s bill passes, all vaccines will become optional. The lives of children, hospitalized patients, people in nursing homes, and those who are immunosuppressed would be placed in jeopardy as infectious diseases could run wild without herd immunity.

To be clear, Senate Bill 1669 is not about the Covid-19 vaccine. The legislation makes all vaccines, under all circumstances, optional. The bill is moving through the various legislative committees. Currently, Senate Bill 1669 sits in the Senate State Affairs Committee.

There are currently no bills or legislative moves to mandate Covid-19 vaccination on the state or federal level. But during the middle of a global pandemic, this Texas Senator is trying to abolish the communicable disease protection society needs to prevent outbreaks of other vaccine-preventable infections.

The Texas Medical Association (TMA) has come out in strong opposition to SB 1669. An email from TMA President Dr. Diana L. Fite stated:

• “SB 1669 will set Texas back decades, if not more, when vaccination rates plummet, and infectious diseases have the opportunity to spread unchecked, potentially jeopardizing the lives of Texans.”
• “SB 1669 will crater the Texas economy when once-eliminated contagious diseases return, forcing the shutdown of businesses that are just beginning to rebound from the global COVID-19 recession. Schools will be forced to close, stranding children without vital education and social development. Elderly loved ones will sit neglected and alone in their residential facilities.”
• “SB 1669 will maroon immunocompromised Texans at home and rob them of their livelihoods and individual liberties. It simply will not be safe to be around anyone who is not vaccinated.”

Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Title 25 Health Services outlines the Texas Minimum State Vaccine Requirements for Students in grades K-12. The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is granted authority to set immunization requirements by the Texas Education Code, Chapter 38.

Senator Bob Hall’s bill changes the wording from “required” to “recommended.” The proposed legislation penalizes anyone who tries to require vaccination for employment or school attendance.

Schools are not the only entity affected. Hospitals and medical offices could no longer require staff vaccinations to help keep patients safe. Senate Bill 1669 states,

“Sec. 103A.001. RIGHT TO OBJECT. A hospital or other health care facility may not require as a condition of employment that an employee, including a physician, nurse, or staff member: (1) be vaccinated; or (2) participate in administering a vaccine.”

The CDC recommends vaccinations for healthcare workers, including physicians, nurses, emergency medical personnel, dental professionals and students, medical and nursing students, laboratory technicians, pharmacists, hospital volunteers, and administrative staff.

These vaccinations currently include Hepatitis B, Influenza, MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella), Varicella, and Tdap (Tetanus, Diptheria, Pertussis). Most hospitals also require annual tuberculosis risk assessments. These recommendations are in place to reduce the risk of hospital-acquired infections.

Healthcare worker vaccinations protect hospital staff exposed to infectious disease and reduce the risk of a healthcare worker transmitting an infection to a hospitalized patient.

Edgewood’s Senator Bob Hall seeks to stop any state-mandated vaccinations through SB 1669.

Senator Bob Hall comes from Edgewood, a city about 60 miles from Dallas. His Senate Bill 1669 is supported by Texans for Vaccine Choice (TFVC), an anti-vaccine Facebook group that formed a political action committee.

Bob Hall was elected to the state Senate in 2014. A D Magazine article recalls that Hall won by calling his opponent a pawn of Satan and describing public schools as communist indoctrination.

A Texas Monthly profile explains Hall spend most of his time “on the problem of electromagnetic pulse weapons, or EMPs, a quack threat to homeland security derided by most credible arms control experts and a frequent plot device in pulp novels in which strong men defeat foreign threats.”

Senator Hall is also working to curb voting rights through Senate Bill 1612. Hall is also known for defending white nationalist Ray Meyers and for his false claim that sex education programs are “tools used by abortion clinics to drum up business.”

Voters canvoice their concerns for Senate Bill 1669 by reaching out to their state representatives. To find your Texas legislator clickhere.

State senator Beverly Powell sits on the Senate State Affairs Committee. I contacted Senator Beverly Powell’s office for comment. Her staff stated Senator Powell plans to vote against this bill.

Senator Powell’s Capitol Office: (512) 463-0110

Senator Bob HallCapitol Office: (512) 463-0102 or Click here to e-mail.

The post Texas Senator Attempts to Stop All Required Vaccinations in Proposed Bill appeared first on Medika Life.

The new variant is being called, BV-1, referring to its origin in the Brazos Valley. Although only one case has been identified, scientists are watching closely as this new strain shows signs of resistance to immune system antibodies. A potentially vaccine-resistant Covid-19 variant creates new challenges for public health workers.

According to the press release, a Texas A&M student tested positive for Covid-19 on March 5th. Most labs reserve genetic sequencing for severe cases of Covid-19, but the research scientists at Texas A&M have taken a different approach by sequencing Covid strains from severe, mild, and asymptomatic infections.

Genetic sequencing provides public policymakers with more information to better guide health policy. This comprehensive approach enables the early detection of new health threats as the research team closely monitors the coronavirus circulating strains in Texas.

Testing has slowed in Texas but remains a critical element of our fight against the pandemic. Testing allows us to diagnose and treat those who have Covid-19. Testing enables health workers to do contact tracing and find others who may have been exposed. Testing with genetic sequencing provides information to the public health system to track trends in specific communities.

The CDC tracks the various coronavirus strains and categorizes them into lineages. The viral groups are then categorized as variants of concern (VOC) or variants of interest (VOI). At this point, BV-1 is uncategorized. The Uk strain, B.1.1.7, is the dominant strain in most states, including Texas. The B.1.1.7 variant accounts for 44.7% of the cases load in Texas.

SARS-CoV-2 Variants Circulating in the United States

Scientists track the emerging variants to better understand how easily they might be transmitted. They also monitor the variants response to our currently FDA-approved vaccines.

The B.1.1.7 variant first emerged in the UK during September 2020 but quickly became a dominant variant worldwide. It has a specific mutation in the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. This mutation makes it easier to spread. The UK reported evidence that the B.1.1.7 variant may be associated with an increased risk of death in January. Other early reports found no evidence that the B.1.1.7 variant impacted the severity of the disease. These reports also showed our vaccines are effective against B.1.1.7.

One case of Covid BV-1 may seem like no big deal. The discovery of the new variant raised eyebrows because Covid BV-1 may be resistant to antibodies. BV-1 has some genetic similarities to the B.1.1.7 variant (UK strain), which has proven to more contagious and potentially more dangerous. BV-1 also shares genetic markers with other coronavirus strains that can bypass neutralizing antibodies.

Sharing the discovery of the BV-1 variant is essential because of its genetic similarity to other coronavirus strains that can evade the immune system antibodies.

Antibodies are present in our bodies after natural infection or after vaccination. To reach herd immunity, enough people must have antibodies to prevent a virus from spreading. Data shows Covid-19 survivors generated antibodies after natural infection, and patients with a mild disease lose this protection faster than those who had a severe illness.

The Texas A&M University researchers provide large amounts of data to help Texas public health officials and the CDC monitor potential threats to our community. This data will be critically important as we move into the next phase of the pandemic and address the growing needs of those with post-Covid conditions.

A recent report shows one out of three Covid-19 survivors continue to have symptoms after their initial infection resolves. Stories about “Covid long haulers” are popping up worldwide.

The post Here is What We Know about the Brazos County Covid-19 Variant appeared first on Medika Life.

The Houston Methodist Hospital System is now the first US hospital to require all staff to be vaccinated against Covid-19. The bold move toward mandatory vaccination comes on the heels of a new CDC report showing the messenger RNA vaccines are 90 percent effective at preventing COVID-19 infections in healthcare workers and first responders.

Bloomberg reported Chief Executive Officer Dr. Marc Boom notified the staff via email of the new vaccine policy. The Methodist system currently requires all new staff to be fully vaccinated. The new mandate will require all staff to receive their first vaccine dose by the middle of April.

The Houston Methodist system employs 26,000 people. Currently, 83% have started the vaccination process. Dr. Bloom encourages hospital staff to demonstrate leadership through vaccination to help create a safe environment for patient care. He stated, “When we choose to be vaccinated against COVID-19, we are prioritizing safety by helping stop the spread of this deadly virus and keeping our patients, visitors, and colleagues safe,”

The Houston Methodist system is now the first hospital in the US to mandate employee Covid-19 vaccination. This company decision by a private company is likely to be a driving force to encourage widespread vaccine adoption. Recent data from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) show this controversial decision is back-up by clinical evidence.

The CDC published updated information on vaccination’s safety and efficacy in healthcare workers in the March 29th Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. This update analyzed Covid-19 vaccines in a real-world setting. The findings showed the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna were 90 percent effective at preventing COVID-19 infections among healthcare personnel, first responders, and other essential frontline workers.

Improving the number of vaccinated workers reduces the risk of spreading the infection from health providers to patients.

Many people still report uncertainty regarding Covid-19 vaccinations. There are three FDA-approved vaccines for Covid-19. The two messenger RNA vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer offer 95% protection against Covid-19. The Covid-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna use messenger RNA (mRNA). A single strand of mRNA delivers instructions to human cells to produce an antibody against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.

The Johnson and Johnson’s Janssen vaccine offers 72% protection against infection and 86% against severe disease. The Janssen vaccine uses Adenovirus 26 (AD26) as the vector to deliver DNA material into our cells to provoke an immune response.

The Moderna and Janssen vaccines are approved for those 18 years old and up. The Pfizer vaccine is approved starting at age 16.

All three vaccines are highly effective in preventing death

Many vaccine-hesitant individuals express fears over the vaccine approval process. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has a strict protocol for vaccine approval. Enough data to qualify for emergency use authorization of the Covid-19 vaccines was made possible because of the substantial $10 billion financial investment combined with the virus’s high prevalence worldwide. The FDA did not rush the vaccine approval. It was well-funded, and there were a massive number of trial candidates.

An effective vaccine is only useful if people get it

Public support for vaccination is already changing. Many workers prefer an employee vaccination mandate. This CNBC poll shows the rapidly changing public perceptions.

Recent Equal Employment Opportunity Commission guidance indicates employers may mandate vaccination. The Houston Methodist system may be the first hospital to require vaccination, but other industry employers may be motivated to encourage vaccine compliance to avoid lost workdays, reduce remote working, and prevent increases in health insurance premiums.

Other companies outside of healthcare are exploring options.

In an article in Forbes, Qantas Airways CEO Alan Joyce reported his plans to restrict airline travel to those who have been vaccinated or have documented immunity. During a CNBC interview, Live Nation CEO hinted at the potential for immunity documentation before issuing tickets to concerts and sporting events. Ticketmaster released a vague but clarifying statement on their website, stating, “We are exploring a number of safety features for event organizers to utilize as they look to welcome fans back to events.”

During a Yale Chief Executive Leadership Institute poll at a virtual summit, 72% of current and recent CEOs of major companies signaled an openness to vaccine mandates. Companies participating in the Yale summit include Walmart, Goldman Sachs, and eBay.

The post Houston Hospital First In Nation to Require Staff Covid-19 Vaccinations appeared first on Medika Life.

These expanded guidelines come at an optimal time as the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex copes with an increase in Covid variants. Opening up the eligibility pool will help reach the 29 million Texas residents. After Governor Abbot reopened the state 100%, the race is on to see if Texas can vaccinate enough people to beat the variants’ rise. 

So far, Texas has administered 9.3 million doses, and the state expects to receive an allotment of 900,000 more this week. Six million Texans have received at least one dose, and 3 million are now fully vaccinated. Recent data from the Texas CARES project, the largest Covid-19 testing database in the United States, showed only up to 24% of Texas have Covid-19 antibodies. 

The Texas Department of State Services (DSHS) associate commissioner Imelda Garcia said, “We are closing in on 10 million doses administered in Texas, and we want to keep up the momentum as the vaccine supply increases.” 

New DSHS guidelines have encouraged sites to prioritize those over age 80 as these patients are the most at risk for severe disease, hospitalization, and death from Covid-19. People over 80 qualify for a vaccination with or without an appointment and are to be moved to the front of the line. Pregnant women and teachers already qualify under existing regulations. 

Dallas county offers vaccination at multiple sites. Local businesses, like Krispy Kreme, are encouraging vaccine compliance through special offers. Health officials are making efforts to overcome vaccine hesitancy and racial disparities.

There are three FDA-approved vaccines for Covid-19. The two messenger RNA vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer offer 95% protection against Covid-19. The Covid-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna use messenger RNA (mRNA). A single strand of mRNA delivers instructions to human cells to produce an antibody against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. 

The Johnson and Johnson’s Janssen vaccine offers 72% protection against infection and 86% against severe disease. The Janssen vaccine uses Adenovirus 26 (AD26) as the vector to deliver DNA material into our cells to provoke an immune response.

The Moderna and Janssen vaccines are approved for those 18 years old and up. The Pfizer vaccine is approved starting at age 16. 

All three vaccines are highly effective in preventing death.

The AstraZeneca vaccine is expected to be approved soon under the Emergency Use Authorization providing the United States with a fourth vaccine option. Data released on March 22 showed the vaccine is 79% effective at preventing mild disease and 100% effective at preventing death. An approved vaccine from AstraZeneca would give the US a fourth safe and effective option along with the Pfizer, Moderna, and Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

Here is what we know about post-vaccine immunity with the two Covid-19 vaccines currently available in the U.S.: In phase 3 clinical trials, the Pfizer vaccine showed a 95% efficacy seven days after the second dose. The Moderna vaccine offers 94% immunity at least 14 days after dose number two. The Janssen vaccine takes effect after 14 days as well. 

Two weeks after completing the vaccination course, recipients can rest assured their risk of severe disease from Covid-19 is very low. But we must remember that the risk is not zero.

The Covid-19 vaccine protects us from getting the disease. However, at this moment, we do not yet know if the vaccine prevents transmission. There is a growing amount of encouraging evidence regarding the protective effect of the vaccine against transmission, but at this moment, we don’t currently know whether a vaccinated person can still transmit the SARS-CoV-2 virus to others.

No vaccine is 100% effective, and according to the current data, 5% of those getting a Covid-19 mRNA vaccine may still be at risk. 

Vaccine recipients should continue to wash their hands, wear a face mask in public, and practice social distancing.

Texas residents can register for the vaccine here.

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The project aims to enroll a diverse group of 75,000 people age 5-80 to identify the number of Texans who have Covid-19 antibodies and track the disease’s progression over time. The data collection assists public officials in making policy decisions by providing a Covid-19 snapshot in real-time. 

Texas CARES published preliminary data on the website dashboard showing that 14% to 24% of Texans have COVID-19 antibodies. Data from the population sample estimates that 27% of Hispanic Texans have COVID-19 antibodies as do 29% of Texans younger than 19.

After exposure to Covid-19, our immune system creates antibodies to help fight disease. Certain specific antibodies appear quickly, while others appear 4-6 weeks after the infection. A positive antibody test is an indicator of a past infection or past exposure. Tracking the number of Texas with positive antibodies can be combined with the number of vaccinated residents to help project a point in time when the state may reach herd immunity. 

Participants in the Texas CARES survey are prescreened with a health survey. Then, they are scheduled for blood testing at a local laboratory collection site. Testing centers are located in Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Brownsville, and El Paso through partnerships with Clinical Pathology Laboratories (CPL) and The University of Texas System. 

Antibody levels are collected over a series of three blood draws over three months, allowing scientists to determine the baseline Covid carrier rate and track antibody conversion over time. Testing Texans over time give scientists insight into the prevalence of Covid-19 exposures and the rate at which residents are developing antibodies. 

The current scientific literature indicates that positive antibodies from a natural infection have some degree of immunity. We do not know how long natural immunity lasts or how much protection natural immunity provides against the growing threat of Covid variants. The scientific evidence is clear that natural immunity provides less protection than antibodies from vaccination.

There are three FDA-approved vaccines for Covid-19. The two messenger RNA vaccines from Moderna and Phizer offer 95% protection against Covid-19. The Johnson and Johnson’s Janssen vaccine offers 72% protection against infection and 86% against severe disease. So far, data indicates these vaccines are effective against the variants arising in Texas. 

The vaccine rollout is improving across the state. Vaccine hubs have ramped up staff to accommodate the increased demand as Texas expanded the eligibility pool to those 50 years old and older. More than half of all Texas seniors have gotten at least one vaccine dose, and 30 percent are now fully vaccinated. Each day thousands more receive their vaccination. 

All three vaccines are highly effective in preventing death. 

The Texas CARES project is still looking for participants in Houston and all over the state. Recruitment is targeting people from a variety of backgrounds to increase the diversity of the data set. Currently, 7,622 people have enrolled with a goal of 75,000.

The Texas CARES project is an opportunity for Texans to pitch in and help. To collect the most accurate information, the survey needs as many participants as possible. 

Texans can sign up to participate in the survey here.

The post Houston Researchers Show 20% Of Texans Have Covid Antibodies appeared first on Medika Life.

A March 12 Dallas country press release reported 401 additional positive Covid-19 cases in Dallas County. The new totals are 249,011 PCR test confirmed cases and a cumulative total of 37,073 probable cases.

Dallas also reported an increase in the number of cases of the UK B.1.1.7 variant. The B.1.1.7 variant was first detected in the United Kingdom but has rapidly spread worldwide. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) data shows this new variant is now present in all 50 US states. Current data projections suggest it will become the predominant strain in the US in the next few weeks.

The B.1.1.7 variant is more contagious due to a mutation in the receptor on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. While this variant is more contagious, it is uncertain at this time if it is more lethal.

A new March report from the UK’s New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG) contains concerning findings. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) summarized the results as “ evidence suggests the B.1.1.7 variant may be associated with an increased risk of death compared with other variants.” 

Reuters reports UK health officials are concerned early data may demonstrate the B.1.1.7 may be more contagious in children and infants.

Dallas Judge Clay Jenkins released a written statement saying, “The emergence of these strains is another strong reason to continue to wear a mask, social distance, wash hands frequently, avoid crowds and forego get-togethers. By practicing the fact-based approaches that provided protection for the past year coupled with registering in as many places as you are willing to drive, and being vaccinated as soon as it is your turn, we will beat COVID-19 this year.”

Image CC Twitter.com

It is essential to know that new variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, are expected. Viruses naturally mutate. Some mutations will persist while others fade away. Scientists study the genetic changes of the virus to monitor for potential threats.

While there are many identified SARS-CoV-2 mutations, there are three under a higher level of scrutiny. The B.1.1.7 (UK variant) is being monitored because it spreads so quickly. Epidemiologists are also closely watching the B.1.35 South African and the P1 Brazilian variant.  

Data suggests these three variants are more contagious and spread faster than others. A sudden spike in one of these variants could potentially strain health resources as states try to scale out vaccination rollouts as fast as possible. 

The good news is evidence so far indicates the currently available Covid-19 tests can accurately detect these variants. In addition, the FDA-approved Covid-19 vaccines are effective against these variants. Vaccine efficacy studies are in progress and are being closely monitored. 

The current FDA-approved vaccines from Moderna, Phizer, and Johnson and Johnson are still effective against the B.1.1.7 variant. The Moderna and Phizer vaccines offer 95% protection against Covid-19. Johnson and Johnson’s Janssen vaccine offers 72% protection against infection and 86% against severe disease.

All three are highly effective in preventing death. To date, 3,275 Dallas County residents have lost their lives due to COVID-19.

Image Dallas Country Health Department

Register Now!

To get your vaccine, you must register. Follow the links below to get started:

For Dallas County click here. For Tarrant County click here.

The post Dallas Reports A Rise in Dangerous Covid-19 Variants appeared first on Medika Life.

Governor Greg Abbott removed all Covid-19 restrictions across the state on March 10, freeing Texas businesses to operate at 100% capacity. Dismayed public health experts and hospital leaders questioned the Governor’s executive order as cases of dangerous Covid variants increases statewide.

President Biden’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is expected to issue updated guidelines by March 15th. OSHA, part of the United States Department of Labor, was created in 1970 with the mission of ensuring safe and healthful working conditions for working people by “setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education, and assistance.”

Given the current lack of workplace mask consistency, expectations are high that OSHA will adopt a more stringent evidence-based policy to ensure a safe work environment for all employees.

Unlike nonbinding White House or CDC guidelines, OSHA has the congressional authority to enforce requirements in all 50 states and jurisdictions, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Wake Island, and Johnston Island.

Businesses must follow all OSHS requirements under penalty of law. Compliance failures result in fines, jail time, and temporary or permanent business shutdown.

Texas, which removed the mask mandate, may find OSHA knocking on the Austin statehouse doors when OSHA updates its Covid guidance on March 15. An OSHA mandate for Facemasks in the workplace would supersede Governor Abbott’s executive order creating a showdown between Austin and Washington DC.

Tensions will run high. A popular Houston Bar called the Concrete Cowboy scheduled a “mask off” party for March 10, the day Texas Governor Greg Abbott plans to remove all Covid-19 restrictions across the state. Public health leaders and social media push back against a maskless celebration of freedom resulting in the cancellation.

The City of Austin plans to continue to require face masks but is uncertain how to enforce the rules. Austin City bloggers have created master lists of stores and restaurants requiring masks to help guide citizens to safety.

Although a Federal ruling by OSHA will certainly be controversial, it may bring stability to local business as standardized, enforceable guidelines will be consistent across the state.

Most leaders expect OSHA to adopt a six-month emergency temporary coronavirus standard requiring employees to wear masks in the workplace. Masks are the simplest way to protect yourself and others from Covid-19 infection.

It is also expected that OSHA will add evidence-based recommendations on the type of facemasks, exceeding 80% protection standard as outlined by ASTM and ensure a proper fit for all employees.

The last OSHA update was on Jan 29. Face masks were discussed as a key mitigation strategy but were not mandated. The January update required employers to “implement Covid-19 prevention programs in the workplace.” Certain risk reduction strategies were recommended but not mandated. These key measures to limit the spread of Covid-19 included sending sick employees home, implementing physical distancing, installing barriers where physical distancing was not possible, encouraging face coverings. The January update also guided the use of PPE (personal protective equipment) and improving ventilation.

On January 21, President Joe Biden signed an executive order asking OSHA to consider if any new emergency temporary standards are needed to protect workers from Covid-19.

OSHA is required to respond to President Biden’s executive order on March 15, 2021.

Let’s see what happens on Monday. An OSHS vs. Austin showdown may be inevitable.

Image Travis County Health Department

Vaccination is the key to getting our lives back to normal. The current FDA-approved vaccines from Moderna, Phizer, and Johnson and Johnson are highly effective even against the surging B.1.1.7 variant. The Moderna and Phizer vaccines offer 95% protection against Covid-19. Johnson and Johnson’s Janssen vaccine offers 72% protection against infection and 86% against severe disease.

All three are highly effective in preventing death.

Register Now!

To get your vaccine, you must register. Follow the links below to get started:

For Travis County, click here.

The post Texas Leaders Removed the Masks, but Federal Agency Ruling May Put Them Back On appeared first on Medika Life.