Health and Medicine
A new study shows chronic pain patients significantly reduce their use of opioids following the initiation of Cannabis Therapy. The head of a Virginia Marijuana Advocacy Group tells WFIR’ Ian Price that that’s nothing new:
Photo: VDH
(RICHMOND, Va.)— On November 19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that all adults 18 years of age and older are now eligible to get a booster shot.This follows today’s authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of boosters for all adults who completed a 2-dose initial vaccine series of either Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech.
Previously, a booster was recommended at least six months after completion of the initial series of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine for those populations who are 65 years of age and older, those living in long-term care facilities, and those 18 years of age and up who are at increased risk due to underlying medical conditions or where they work or live. Now, any adult, 18 years and older, who is six months or more out from the second Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna dose can request and receive a booster dose. CDC continues to recommend that people aged 18 years or older who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine receive a booster dose at least two months after being vaccinated.
With the CDC’s action, approximately 2.2 million Virginians are now eligible to receive a booster dose.
The following statement is from Virginia’s State Vaccination Liaison Dr. Danny Avula, MD, MPH.
“As more scientific data showing the effectiveness of a booster dose comes in, VDH welcomes this move by the CDC and FDA. These vaccines are incredibly safe and effective, but no vaccine prevents 100 percent of illness. All vaccines’ effectiveness wanes over time, and the data show a tangible benefit to people when they receive a vaccine booster.
“And with the holidays approaching and the weather turning colder, now is the perfect time to get vaccinated if you’re 5 years or older or get a booster dose if fully vaccinated and you’re 18 years or older. Because the flu season is here, we also urge that everyone aged 6 months or older get a separate flu vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccine can be safely administered at the same time as the flu shot.
“VDH stands ready to provide boosters to any Virginia adult who wants one today. Supply is not an issue, and there are multiple venues open to you to get your booster: pharmacies, your healthcare provider, your local health department, Community Vaccination Centers (CVCs) strategically located around the Commonwealth and other community vaccination events. We urge you to do so in order to move forward and out of this pandemic.”
Photo: Virginia Tech
The director of the New River Health District laments the politicization of the vaccine rollout and COVID safety guidelines – which have changed often. That’s what happens she says when you are “learning in real time.” The story from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
Among other observances, November is “Lung Cancer Awareness Month,” and the American Lung Association has just released its fourth annual “State of Lung Cancer” report. The numbers from 2020 show that more people than ever are surviving lung cancer – although survival rates are “significantly lower” for most communities of color. Aleks Casper is Director of Advocacy for the ALA – so how did Virginia do in the latest “State of Lung Cancer” report? Casper says annual report, culled from various data sources, is distributed to health care officials and is available to the public on the lung.org website.
MGN
It’s Medicare open enrollment season, the time when those on Medicare can decide whether to keep their plans or change them. A long-time Medicare counselor in the region says if you or a loved one are thinking about changing to a Medicare Advantage plan, it is often best to think again. These are the plans for which former athletes or stars like Joe Namath and Jimmie Walker are often on ads promising all kinds of potential Medicare benefits, but Shannon Abell says that’s before you get to the fine print, and in many cases, he says, those plans end up paying far less than recipients expect. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more:
Shannon Abell is conducting a Medicare information program that is open to all on Thursday, May 18 in Vinton. Click here for more information
