While new variant strains of COVID-19 present new challenges, Bruce Farber, MD, chief of division of infectious diseases, says he remains optimistic. On this episode of the podcast, he talks about the potential impacts on the pandemic and how effective vaccines, including the Johnson & Johnson single-dose shot currently awaiting authorization, will be against these new variants.

More from the experts

Dr. Farber explains what to expect after getting the COVID-19 vaccine: side effects; immunity; what our new normal will look like; and more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEp6iYqWn9c&t=12s

Watch episodes of 20-Minute Health Talk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOylAPfMBafmhQIwY75QbOzNcQEpz5tEr 

• The stories that defined 2020

• COVID’s impact on medical research 

Northwell research making news:

• The healing power of vagus nerve stimulation

Read more from Dr. Tracey.

The COVID-19 vaccine is a turning point in what has become a mental health crisis. Manish Sapra, MD, executive director for behavioral health at Northwell Health, and Mayer Bellehsen, PhD, director for the center for traumatic stress, resilience and recovery, explain that the hope brought by the COVID vaccine enables all of us to begin the healing process - and why that is a process we will go through together. 

Read Dr. Sapra's op-ed on community recovery from COVID-19

Listen to Dr. Bellehsen discuss stress management

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Deb Salas Lopez, MD, discusses Northwell's initiative to help vaccinate Long Island's underserved communities that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Also, hear firsthand insight from Rev. Scott Williams, whose congregation at Memorial Presbyterian Church in Roosevelt welcomed the vaccine last week.

Dr. Salas Lopez writes about how to make community partnerships work

Read more about Long Island's vaccination efforts

Watch Dr. Salas-Lopez and Rev. Williams on CBS2 News

Transplant patients are at higher risk for COVID-19 and should get the vaccine, but only those using mRNA. Lewis Teperman, MD, director of transplant services for Northwell Health and vice chair of surgery at North Shore University Hospital, explains.

Dr. Teperman led the American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS) strikeforce, which wrote the blueprint on how to perform transplants safely during the pandemic. Read some of his insights

6 questions with Dr. Teperman on the COVID vaccine and transplant patients

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Dr. Brown explains the often misunderstood intention of vaccines 

Addressing maternal morbidity and maternal mortality among Black women

With limited research available, Michael Nimaroff, MD, senior vice president and executive director, Ob-Gyn Services, explains why Northwell recommends pregnant women get vaccinated. Also, hear Elizabeth Espinal, a research coordinator in her second trimester, discuss her experience getting the first dose of the medication. 

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Despite the World Health Organization's announcement that it does not recommend the Moderna vaccine for pregnant women, Northwell Health along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and other national societies remain supportive of vaccinating pregnant women who meet criteria for vaccination.

As more people are becoming eligible for the historic vaccine, Onisis Stefas, PharmD, Northwell's chief pharmacy officer, breaks down the science behind the medication, as well as the massive undertaking to distribute it.

Relive the delivery of the first COVID vaccines at Northwell Health

Dr. Stefas talks the importance of vaccinations with Healthline

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When will the second COVID patient surge peak? Data can provide advance warning. John D'Angelo, MD, Northwell's chief of integrated operations, explains. 

Watch this episode of 20-Minute Health Talk on YouTube