Health and Medicine
MGN
[Friday], CDC recommended the first respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine for pregnant people to protect their newborn from severe RSV illness. RSV is the leading cause of hospitalization for U.S. infants.This new vaccine, Pfizer’s bivalent RSVpreF vaccine (trade name Abrysvo TM), has been shown to reduce the risk of RSV hospitalization for babies by 57 percent in the first six months after birth.
To maximize protection for babies after birth, CDC recommends seasonal administration of one dose of RSV vaccine for pregnant people during weeks 32 through 36 of pregnancy.
The vaccine is one of two new tools we have this season to protect babies from severe RSV illness. Last month,CDC recommended a new RSV immunization for infants that has been shown to reduce the risk of both RSV-related hospitalizations and healthcare visits in infants by about 80 percent. Most infants will likely only need protection from either the maternal RSV vaccine or infant immunization, but not both. However, for example, if a baby is born less than two weeks after maternal immunization, then a doctor may recommend that the baby also receive the infant immunization.
The RSVpreF vaccine is available in some locations in the U.S. and availability is expected to increase in the coming weeks. This is the first fall and winter virus season where vaccines are available for three major respiratory viruses—COVID-19, RSV and flu.
Updated COVID-19 and flu vaccines are recommended for everyone 6 months and older. CDC now recommendsRSV vaccinefor adults ages 60 and over, usingshared clinical decision-making. This means these individuals should talk to their healthcare provider about whether RSV vaccination is appropriate for them at this time.
Talk to your healthcare provider, pharmacist, or local community health center about which vaccines you need to stay protected this fall and winter.
As the Crystal Spring tower at Carilion Clinic gets closer to completion, young patients and families at Carilion Children’s Tanglewood Center spent some time today painting designs on a large steel beam that will be added to one of the top floors of the new addition. The Carilion’s Healing Arts program also includes an annual employee art show and local school children who paint designs on ceiling panels that are then installed in the children’s hospital wing.
The new Crystal Spring tower at Carilion Clinic is scheduled for completion in early 2025. Carli Holtzhauer is a childhood life specialist at Carilion Children’s Hospital – she works with the health system’s Healing Arts Program:
Carilion Family practice Rev – Ian price photo
Carilion Clinic celebrated the opening of its newest Family and Community Medicine office at the corner of Route 419 and Starkey Road with a ribbon-cutting this morning. The new facility is adjacent to Carilion’s Velocity urgent care center, so some services can be shared. Patients are now being accepted; there are 8 exam rooms on site in what once the former location for Barrel Chest. They are now accepting new patients. Two physicians and a nurse practitioner will staff the new family medicine location for Carilion, which has office hours Monday through Friday from 8am until 5pm. Dr. Michael Jeremiah is a Carilion senior vice president; he spoke at the ribbon-cutting today:
Dr. Cynthia Morrow/VDH-VT photo
The nationwide spike in COVID-19 cases expected as Fall approaches – much as flu cases rise this time of year as well – has hit the Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts. So says Dr. Cynthia Morrow, director of the local districts. Morrow also said today she doesn’t anticipate any public mask mandates to be put back in place but urges those who have a confirmed COVID case to wear one. She also suggests waiting until the updated vaccines that address the latest variants enter the market some time next month before getting another shot.
G Marrano photos
Six years after launching the walk-in, no questions asked Hope Initiative, which helps connect those addicted to opioids with recovery programs and treatment, a $500,000 grant from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield will help expand similar programs to six other clinics over the next three years. The Health Wagon program with 13 locations in Wise County and far southwest Virginia will be the first clinic to be trained on and adapt to the Hope Initiative model. The Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics will help expand the peer-based recovery program. The Hope Initiative has supported over 2000 participants; about 80 percent have gone on to enter their chosen treatment program or recovery resource. Christine Wright is the Behavorial Health program manager for the Bradley Free Clinic in Roanoke – home to the Hope Initiative:
“Together we can realize the truth – that suicide is preventable,” says the CEO for Blue Ridge Behavorial Healthcare, which is helping to spearhead activities during Suicide Prevention Month in September. WFIR’s Gene Marrano has this report:
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Brandon Oaks opened its expanded memory care unit in 2022. Memory care facilities have to have a green space. And while they were renovating the memory care facility Brandon Oaks decided do something special. Director of Communications Nicole Bruch says the new sensory garden is the result of that effort. A ribbon cutting originally scheduled for tomorrow will now be held on September 6 from 4 to 6pm.
A local dental office is offering a first-of-its-kind treatment to patients in the region. WFIR’s Emma Thomas has details on the “Same Day Smile” technology:
A recent study named Virginia as one of 2023’s top ten best states to live in. WFIR’s Emma Thomas has details on where the state shined — AND where it fell flat: