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Doctor Vaughan's COVID-19 Updates

Doctor Vaughan's COVID-19 Updates

By Mark Vaughan

Dr. Mark Vaughan reviews COVID-19 (Coronavirus or SARS-CoV-2) pandemic news updates. Updates are based on daily news and scientific reports and are usually shorter than 5 minutes. Most of the information is gleaned from the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security daily updates among other sources of health and medical news stories.

Dr. Vaughan is the Medical Director of the Auburn Medical Group. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Sutter Independent Physicians. Learn about the Auburn Medical Group at auburnmedicalgroup.com.

Other podcasts : vaughanmd.com
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It’s June 15

Doctor Vaughan's COVID-19 UpdatesJun 15, 2021

00:00
03:57
Pan Coronavirus Vaccine

Pan Coronavirus Vaccine

The decision was made this week to create a pan coronavirus vaccine which would greatly decrease the need for vaccine boosters.

Jul 27, 202205:34
Pediatric Vaccines

Pediatric Vaccines

The CDC has made a recommendation for use of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for children down to age 6 months.
Jun 23, 202202:55
Paxlovid Available
May 26, 202204:38
4th Shot for Over 50
Mar 30, 202203:57
The Vulnerable

The Vulnerable

People over age 65 and those with immune compromising conditions or medications absolutely need to have their full vaccination series and boosters. The rest of us need to be sensitive to their condition and be OK with wearing masks when we are around them in public.
Mar 22, 202206:51
Who Gets a 4th Shot?
Feb 24, 202205:06
BA.2

BA.2

The BA.2 strain of Omicron is currently 3.8% of cases in the US and doubling weekly.
Feb 22, 202204:51
Omicron Burnout

Omicron Burnout

Omicron New cases in Placer County have been decreasing for three weeks. The number of cases in general hospital beds and the ICU in Placer County have also been decreasing over the last week.
Feb 01, 202203:38
Free Home COVID Tests
Jan 19, 202202:14
After Omicron

After Omicron

We are rapidly approaching the peak of Omicron and the resolution of the pandemic.  Welcome to the endemic.

Jan 14, 202205:46
Omicron Treatment

Omicron Treatment

The approved treatments for Omicron are extremely limited in availability. We are recommending vaccination as the primary means of avoiding detrimental effects of the Omicron Variant.
Jan 04, 202206:13
COVID Pill

COVID Pill

Paxlovid is an antiviral pill by Pfizer which was approved for emergency authorization by the FDA.
Dec 22, 202102:37
Omicron is Here

Omicron is Here

Omicron is responsible for 2/3 of COVID cases both in California and the US.
Dec 21, 202104:49
Oral Antivirals

Oral Antivirals

Oral antiviral medications against COVID include Mulnupiravir (already with FDA EUA) and Paxlovid. They decrease risk of death and hospitalization from COVID, but not as well as vaccination.
Dec 14, 202105:29
Evusheld
Dec 10, 202103:35
Omicron is Here

Omicron is Here

Omicron has arrived in nearly half of the United States. What action should we take?
Dec 09, 202106:25
Is Omicron Good?

Is Omicron Good?

There have been no reported deaths from Omicron… YET. There is reason for hope given the reports of notably mild infections so far in South Africa.
Nov 30, 202104:18
Omicron Begins

Omicron Begins

A new variant of concern in South Africa has been named.
Nov 29, 202103:18
Boosters for All Adults

Boosters for All Adults

Everyone over age 18 is now eligible for a booster 6 months after receiving their second mRNA vaccine dose.

Nov 23, 202101:46
Pfizer Vs. Moderna

Pfizer Vs. Moderna

A number of European countries are not giving the Moderna mRNA vaccine to people under age 30, yet they prefer it over Pfizer for people over age 30.

Nov 16, 202103:23
Pfizer Now for Kids

Pfizer Now for Kids

It's official.  You can now vaccinate children, age 5-11, with the Pfizer Covid vaccine.  Check vaccines.gov for a local pharmacy if your children are not already getting vaccinated through school.

Nov 03, 202102:39
Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis with Johnson & Johnson Vaccine

Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis with Johnson & Johnson Vaccine

The Johnson and Johnson COVID vaccine has an association with a blood clot in the veins around the brain.  It is rare, and it is 30 times more rare in the group most likely to experience it than severe effects of COVID 19 if they don't get the vaccine.  This is not a problem with the mRNA vaccines by Pfizer and Moderna.

Nov 01, 202103:08
Can't Vaccinate Children Yet

Can't Vaccinate Children Yet

Approval of the Pfizer vaccine in children, age 5 - 11, is likely to occur after going through review at the FDA, the ACIP, and then the CDC.  Send in a voice message to tell me what you think of the video format.

Oct 28, 202103:29
Final Booster Recommendations
Oct 22, 202105:14
ACIP Vaccine Booster Recommendation

ACIP Vaccine Booster Recommendation

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the CDC recommends that booster shots be given to specific populations six months after receiving their second dose of mRNA vaccine and that anyone who received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine receive a second shot two months after they received their first shot.
Oct 21, 202103:34
We Have Same-Day PCR Testing

We Have Same-Day PCR Testing

We now have 30 minute PCR testing at the other medical group for Auburn Medical Group patients who have been exposed to Covid or have possible Covid symptoms.
Oct 19, 202105:37
Is J&J Actually a Two Shot Vaccine?

Is J&J Actually a Two Shot Vaccine?

The FDA VRBPAC recommends a booster for Johnson & Johnson vaccines for everyone who received the first dose. This will be considered by the FDA.

Oct 18, 202104:07
Third Moderna Shot Recommended

Third Moderna Shot Recommended

The FDA’s VRBPAC has recommended certain individuals to receive a third dose if the Moderna COVID vaccine.

Oct 14, 202103:10
Placer County COVID Numbers Update
Oct 11, 202103:59
National Guard Called to Four California Hospitals

National Guard Called to Four California Hospitals

The national guard was called to Mercy Medical Center in Redding, California, and three other hospitals in Bakersfield, California to help with the Covid surge.
Oct 07, 202104:41
A Second Johnson & Johnson Dose

A Second Johnson & Johnson Dose

Johnson and Johnson is applying for approval for a second dose of its COVID vaccine.
Oct 05, 202104:58
Over the Peak

Over the Peak

Overall new COVID cases, deaths, and hospitalizations are on a decline.
Oct 01, 202103:57
Pfizer Booster Update

Pfizer Booster Update

The final CDC approval for boosters includes people with occupational exposure despite its removal from the FDA EUA by the CDC’s ACIP. It also retains recommendations for proponents with certain health risks both age 50 to 64 and age 18 to 49.
Sep 24, 202102:36
Pfizer Booster Approved

Pfizer Booster Approved

The FDA approved administration of a booster to certain groups for the Pfizer Covid vaccine.  It is an emergency use authorization for individuals 65 years old and older, people at risk occupationally or due to institutionalization and people with certain high risk conditions.  It is given at least 6 months after completing the initial two-shot series.

Sep 23, 202105:52
FDA VRBPAC Third Shot Clarification

FDA VRBPAC Third Shot Clarification

The FDA Vaccines and Related Biologic Products Advisory Committee voted against recommending a third dose to individual 16 years of age to 64 years of age. They did approve a recommendation for giving a third shot to individuals 65 years of age and older. This has not been approved by the FDA yet. It is likely they will approve it shortly.

Sep 20, 202102:55
No Boosters for Now

No Boosters for Now

FDA vaccine advisors rejected a recommendation to add boosters for everyone at this time.
Sep 17, 202104:48
Miscarriages and COVID Vaccines

Miscarriages and COVID Vaccines

There are three new publications supporting the safety of COVID-19 vaccinations during pregnancy.

Sep 10, 202104:28
Third Shot

Third Shot

There is some controversy regarding the CDC’s announcement of plans to make third doses of mRNA vaccines available.

Sep 02, 202108:59
Natural Immunity

Natural Immunity

A pre-print study from Israel suggests that natural immunity is superior to V vaccine immunity for COVID-19.
Aug 30, 202109:58
LA Summer COVID Vaccine Study
Aug 25, 202102:53
Comirnaty Approved

Comirnaty Approved

The Pfizer/BioNTech COVID vaccine, Comirnaty has full FDA approval for age 16 and older.
Aug 24, 202103:02
What will Booster Shots Be?

What will Booster Shots Be?

A listener left a message asking about adverse effects and dosing of Covid vaccine boosters.
Aug 20, 202105:55
Who Exactly Counts as Immunosuppressed?

Who Exactly Counts as Immunosuppressed?

The CDC has clarified who is considered immunocompromised enough to receive the third dose of mRNA vaccines.


The ACIP of the CDC and the FDA have agreed on appending the Emergency Use Authorization for the mRNA vaccines in individuals who are moderately to severely immunocompromised to receive a third dose booster.  This includes people who have:  

Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood 

Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system 

Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system 

Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome) 

Advanced or untreated HIV infection 

Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response

Aug 16, 202104:01
Immunosuppressed to Get Third Shot

Immunosuppressed to Get Third Shot

The CDC’s Advisory Council on Immunization Practices unanimously voted to recommend third mRNA vaccine doses for the immunosuppressed.
Aug 13, 202104:04
Dr Stock
Aug 10, 202106:12
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis

REGEN-COV Has been found to be effective in treating vulnerable unvaccinated patients exposed to COVID-19 before they start to have symptoms.

Aug 06, 202105:32
What happened In Massachusetts?

What happened In Massachusetts?

A recent CDC MMWR reported on a Delta Variant Outbreak where more vaccinated people were infected than unvaccinated people. This was an exception to national statistics.

Aug 03, 202104:06
Our Delta Variant Patients

Our Delta Variant Patients

We are seeing a high number of positive Covid test for our office. We have seen Covid tests positive and people have been vaccinated. We have also had to send a teenager to be admitted to the hospital for COVID-19 causing unstable vital signs.
Jul 31, 202104:02
mRNA Vaccines in Children and in Anaphylactics
Jul 27, 202104:59
Delta Herd Immunity
Jul 23, 202110:43