By KAMMONKE OBASE-WOTTA and ROBYN H. JIMENEZ
The Dallas Examiner
Dallas-Fort Worth remains code yellow, along with the nation’s maximum, the current COVID-19 threat point in the region is medium according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The form of coverage has been vaccination, according to the CDC.
“Approximately 16. 4% gained the upgraded booster dose with the omicron variant. So, we’re in a much better state than we were at the end of last year,” said Dr. Brown. Meenakshi Ramanathan, associate professor of pharmacotherapy. Her current practice site is Arlington Medical Center, where she works as a pharmacist guilty of antimicrobial administration.
Ramanathan, the keynote speaker at a webinar, “COVID Vaccination Update: What We’ve Been Taught Over the Last Two Years,” discussing recent developments in the United States and Texas related to COVID-19. The occasion was presented through the North Central Texas Regional Agency on Aging.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States has recorded 102,697,566 COVID cases and 1,117,054 deaths. At the height of the pandemic, in early January 2022, the United States recorded as many as 5,650,933 cases in one week. These numbers continue to decline, with some ups and downs along the way.
The past few weeks have seen about 150,000 cases nationwide with 4,989 in Texas and nearly 2,000 deaths nationwide with 79 statewide. However, it’s important to note that Texas reported another 1,194 people with COVID symptoms severe enough to require hospitalization. More than two hundred of those patients are under intensive care. However, the numbers are lower than in the past.
“We’re fine with the small wave we had in November and December compared to the variants circulating at that time in terms of cases, deaths, hospitalizations, etc. ,” Ramanathan said.
Currently, the most widespread variants are subvariants of Omicron; basically XBB 1. 5, but BQ 1. 1 is also widespread.
These strains have noticed a decrease in efficacy, even in our patients who have been fully vaccinated with the Omicron booster,” he explained. “But if you take a multi-pronged approach, in terms of COVID-19 prevention, that shouldn’t be a problem. “
The United States ranks tenth globally in terms of vaccine administering, with Texas accounting for 76. 6% of the general population that obtained at least one dose of vaccine. However, Ramanathan said the innovations were to stimulate people.
When divided into age teams in Texas, the highest percentage of vaccinated teams were 65 years or older, with 95% receiving the initial vaccine, 89% completing series number one and approximately 32. 4% receiving the updated booster.
“However, being fully vaccinated is the same as optimal protection. To be optimally protected, a user wants to get a booster shot when eligible,” he said.
He went on to explain how COVID-19 vaccines help the system expand immunity to the virus without transmitting the disease to the person. There are several types of vaccines, and other tactics are applied to provide coverage against the disease. Before they reach the public, several steps are required.
There are 3 types of vaccines used in the United States: mRNA, viral vector, and protein subunit. Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech use mRNA to teach the framework how to produce a protein that triggers an immune reaction in the frame. This immune reaction produces antibodies that help the frame.
As with maximal vaccines, there are no unusual side effects. Most experienced pain, redness and swelling at the injection site. Other common side effects were headache, muscle aches, fever, nausea and fatigue. Side effects could accumulate over time. dose “because the framework has already accelerated with the first dose. “Each person’s reaction to memories will vary.
More severe reactions are rare, such as Bell’s palsy; myocarditis/pericarditis, which has been observed in adolescent males; and thromboembolism with Johnson’s vaccine
In general, COVID-19 and post-COVID symptoms are incredibly more severe than vaccine side effects, especially for those with pre-existing conditions.
He said several chronic illnesses make the disease more severe and they would likely be hospitalized and in all likelihood die if they were not vaccinated. He proposed a list of the 20 most sensible in alphabetical order: adding cancer, chronic kidney disease, type 1 and 2 diabetes, HIV and sickle cell anemia, and referred to the online page to learn about other conditions.
He went on to say that lately there is no life-saving medicine to save someone from contracting COVID-19. People are less likely to get the disease, the goal of vaccines at that time is to make symptoms much less severe. She noted that vaccines don’t target the XBB 1. 5 or BQ 1. 1 strain, so the concept is to adopt a multi-pronged technique to keep the number of COVID-19 cases low.
This would come with keeping up with vaccinations, maintaining well-ventilated spaces where other people congregate, masking yourself with an N95 mask in public or crowded places, staying away from coughing, and avoiding contact with anyone who has been diagnosed or suspected. of having COVID-19.
In addition, he suggested caution by washing hands and/or hand sanitizer, and quarantine/isolation if exposed/infected.
Ramanathan affirmed the importance of vaccines because “we have returned to a pre-pandemic state level, with COVID-19 more endemic. “
The CDC recommends an updated Pfizer-BioNTech bivalent booster for children five years of age and older if it has been at least two months since the last dose.
Beginning March 16, the new recommendation for children 6 months to four years and older to get a bivalent booster dose of Pfizer-BioNTech if they have already completed a number one monovalent series of 3 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech if at least two months have elapsed later. The finish of the number one monovalent series.
The North Central Texas Regional Agency on Aging, in collaboration with Uber Health, will provide transportation to and from vaccination sites.
“If you want help getting to a flu or pneumonia vaccination site, we can help. We can also help you schedule the vaccine. If there’s someone who is homebound and wants to get vaccinated at home, we can help plan for that as well. “said Doni Green, director of aging at the North Central Texas Council of Governments.
“If you are a senior or concerned about a senior, you can call the regional firm at 1-800-252-9240 to learn more about the immunization assistance program in your community. If you are a young user with a disability or if you are concerned about a young user with a disability, call 855-937-2372, which will connect you to the Senior and Disability Resource Center.
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