115 – COVID Vaccination in Aging (12.17.20 Edition)

In This Episode:

Dr. K discussed the new Pfizer coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine, with a special focus on understanding how well it works and how safe it is, in aging adults.

This episode covers:

What to know about vaccine media reports and older adults

Why it’s important to try to find out the actual ages (and age distribution) of older participants in vaccine trials

How Dr. K looks at a published study to determine whether the vaccine works for her patients

Why the current Pfizer data can’t tell us whether the vaccine works in people over age 75

Why an expert dissented from the CDC’s decision to prioritize vaccination for nursing home residents

Dr. K’s current recommendations regarding COVID vaccination and keeping frail older adults safe during the pandemic

Related Resources:

BHWA: COVID Vaccination for Aging Adults: What to Know & Do

FDA (Food & Drug Administration):

COVID-19 Vaccines

FDA: Emergency Use Authorization for Vaccines Explained

CDC:

How CDC Is Making COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations

Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination

Provisional COVID-19 Death Counts by Sex, Age, and State

CDC advisory panel’s lone dissenter on why long-term care residents shouldn’t receive Covid-19 vaccine first

New England Journal of Medicine:

Safety and Efficacy of the BNT162b2 mRNA Covid-19 Vaccine (12/10/20 publication of the Pfizer vaccine phase 2/3 trial data)

New York Times:

COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker

F.D.A. Clears Pfizer Vaccine, and Millions of Doses Will Be Shipped Right Away

Uptodate.com COVID-19 Resources & Tools (Coronavirus Resources)

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): Vaccines to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection

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