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In This Episode:
Dr. K provides updated information on the effectiveness and safety of COVID vaccination for older adults, including information on the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson&Johnson vaccines. She also addresses FAQs about coronavirus vaccination.
This episode covers:
- How we can tell the COVID vaccines are working
- Data on how COVID cases and deaths have fallen in nursing homes and among people aged 85+
- Current COVID mortality rates in older adults
- What the latest observational studies show, regarding vaccine effectiveness in people over age 80
- What the Johnson & Johnson vaccine trial data shows, when it comes to older adults with chronic conditions
- What’s been found so far, regarding vaccine safety
- Answers to FAQs, including:
- Should I get vaccinated against COVID?
- Should my 90-year-old parent get the COVID vaccine?
- How well does the vaccine work in older adults?
- Can you get COVID if you’ve been vaccinated?
- Should you be vaccinated if you already had COVID?
- Which COVID vaccine is best for seniors? Which vaccine is safest?
- Should I worry that the vaccine might harm me (or my frail older parent)?
- When can I get vaccinated? Which vaccine should I try to get?
- If I’ve been vaccinated, is it safe to …?
- Dr. K’s current recommendations regarding COVID vaccination and staying safe given current conditions
Related Resources:
- BHWA: COVID Vaccination for Aging Adults: What to Know & Do
- FDA (Food & Drug Administration):
- CDC:
- Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination
- First Month of COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Monitoring — United States, December 14, 2020–January 13, 2021
- Provisional COVID-19 Death Counts by Sex, Age, and State
- COVID-19 Case Surveillance Public Use Data
- Nursing Home Covid-19 Data Dashboard
- Suspected Recurrent SARS-CoV-2 Infections Among Residents of a Skilled Nursing Facility During a Second COVID-19 Outbreak
- Risk for COVID-19 Infection, Hospitalization, and Death By Age Group
- CDC: When You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated
- New England Journal of Medicine:
- Safety and Efficacy of the BNT162b2 mRNA Covid-19 Vaccine (Pfizer vaccine)
- BNT162b2 mRNA Covid-19 Vaccine in a Nationwide Mass Vaccination Setting (Pfizer vaccine in Israel)
- Efficacy and Safety of the mRNA-1273 SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine (Moderna vaccine)
- New York Times:
- Uptodate.com COVID-19 Resources & Tools (Coronavirus Resources)
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): Vaccines to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection
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Adele Dill says
I just discovered your podcast while looking for info on the J&J vaccine. Very helpful and informative. And the kind of data (or lack thereof) that I was seeking. As a 73 and 75 year old couple with comorbidities, we are struggling to figure out what risks to take. We have maintained quarantine but are vaccinated. I got the J&J and am not encouraged by the stats. Spouse got Pfizer. The ? I, and some others, may have is whether to try to get a 2nd vaccine— either Pfizer or Moderna, as they seem more effective. Especially now that supply seems adequate and available.
I have been a caretaker in the recent past, and am well versed in the problems frail elders face. Thank you for doing this. Your efforts are much appreciated and needed.
Nicole Didyk, MD says
I’m so happy that you found the podcast and enjoyed it!
Right now, we don’t have clear recommendations about “mixing and matching” vaccines brands, so I wouldn’t advise getting another vaccine dose right now. That may change as we get more data or as “booster” shots are given. I’m so glad that you’ve both been vaccinated. Stay well.