The hottest Vaccination Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health & Wellness Topics

What does vaccination mean for rapid screening?

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 12 Apr 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Vaccination Immunity Monitoring Screening Epidemiology
  1. As vaccination rates increase, the need for rapid screening to prevent outbreaks remains crucial because both vaccines and screening can help control the spread of Covid-19.
  2. The effectiveness of rapid screening in reducing the risk of outbreaks significantly increases as the percentage of vaccinated individuals rises, highlighting the importance of combining vaccination with screening.
  3. There is a potential issue of waning immunity post-vaccination, especially among older populations, which could lead to the re-emergence of Covid-19. This emphasizes the need for a surveillance plan to monitor immunity levels in the vaccinated population and address any possible resurgence.

What to make of AstraZeneca?

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 09 Apr 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Vaccination COVID-19 Risk Assessment Public Health Vaccine Hesitancy
  1. AstraZeneca has been linked to rare blood clot issues, particularly in younger individuals, presenting a challenge in vaccine distribution and risk assessment.
  2. The distribution of AstraZeneca vaccine is crucial due to its wide availability, but balancing the risk of blood clots against the benefits of vaccination is a complex task.
  3. Messaging around AstraZeneca vaccination plays a significant role in managing vaccine hesitancy and public perception, highlighting the need for a balanced approach and continual adjustment based on new information.

Tell them they're dreaming

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 01 Apr 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Vaccination Health Risks Immunity Vaccine Hesitancy
  1. Australia's success in managing COVID-19 has led to complacency in vaccination efforts, resulting in potential long-term challenges.
  2. Achieving herd immunity is not a guarantee of safety, as the virus can still spread even with high vaccination rates.
  3. Strategic planning and a stronger vaccine strategy are crucial for countries like Australia to navigate the transition from COVID-Zero to a more sustainable approach amidst evolving virus variants.

Dealing with the next pandemic

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 19 Feb 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Pandemics Vaccination Surveillance Prevention Disease Control
  1. Understanding the connection between bats and viruses is crucial for preventing future pandemics.
  2. Focusing on early identification of human-to-human transmission is key to mitigating the health and economic impacts of pandemics.
  3. Developing a global surveillance system to monitor antibodies to various viruses can provide real-time information to detect and respond to outbreaks.

Where are things working

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 03 Feb 21
🏥 Health Politics Screening Contact Tracing Vaccination
  1. Regular screening programs in Nova Scotia and Davis, California have shown success in controlling the spread of Covid-19, highlighting the importance of testing and contact tracing.
  2. The University of California, Davis implemented an ambitious and successful screening bubble that included the surrounding town, which proved to be a model for other universities.
  3. Australia's effective information collection and contact tracing efforts have contributed to their ability to keep Covid-19 cases in check, showing the importance of proactive engagement in data collection even before situations become critical.
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What cheeses me off

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 27 Jan 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Vaccination Public Health Immunity Behavior Science
  1. Vaccination has benefits beyond protection that are being overlooked, like conserving scarce vaccine doses by testing for antibodies in individuals who have already had Covid-19.
  2. Public health messages are simplistic and may not account for evolving situations, such as the potential for vaccinated individuals to spread the virus.
  3. Locking up vaccinated individuals without allowing them more freedom can hinder understanding their role in spreading the virus, and a lack of flexibility in responses may lead to behavioral challenges in the future.

Uncomfortable vaccine decisions

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 11 Dec 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Vaccination Public Health Economics Medical Ethics Risk management
  1. Vaccine distribution plans should consider region-by-region vaccination to achieve normality in some places earlier, rather than nationally all at once.
  2. Participants of vaccine trials who received placebos could be considered for early vaccination to encourage more trial participation.
  3. Vaccinating air travelers early could help reopen the airline industry sooner and reduce the need for government bailouts, despite initial dislike for the idea.

Myth of the Day: I Don’t Need a Flu Shot

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 11 Oct 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Preventative Care Vaccination Health Education Disease Prevention Immunity
  1. Flu is a serious illness caused by influenza virus with symptoms like fever, cough, and body aches.
  2. Getting the flu shot is crucial every year, with effectiveness ranging from 20% to 60%, to reduce severe disease and mortality.
  3. COVID and flu are spread similarly, but different tests are needed to distinguish them; antivirals like Tamiflu help with flu treatment.

Dispel Medical Myth #2: Everyone Needs the New Booster

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 05 Sep 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Medical Myths Vaccination Immunity
  1. New booster shots are designed to reduce the risk of symptomatic infection by producing fresh antibodies against current variants.
  2. People who had COVID in 2020 or 2021 might not benefit significantly from the new booster shot due to existing immunity.
  3. The decision to get the new booster shot should be personalized based on age, health conditions, and time since last COVID shot or infection.

Understand Monkeypox

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 08 Aug 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Disease Prevention Treatment Symptoms Vaccination
  1. Monkeypox is a DNA virus that is significantly less contagious than COVID and spreads through close contact, making it unlikely to cause a nationwide epidemic like COVID.
  2. Monkeypox is primarily spread through close skin-to-skin contact and is not easily transmitted through surfaces or asymptomatic individuals.
  3. Vaccines like JYNNEOS are crucial for preventing monkeypox, while treatments like TPOXX and isolation help manage symptoms and contain the spread.

Understand BA.5 & the COVID Vaccine for Kids

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 11 Jul 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Vaccination Children's Health Medical Advice Public Health Immunity
  1. The BA.5 Omicron subvariant is highly contagious but doesn't seem to be intrinsically more virulent than past variants. So far, the vaccine continues to offer protection against death and serious COVID outcomes against BA.5.
  2. Deciding on vaccinating children under 5 against COVID is nuanced and should be individualized. Although the risks of major vaccine side effects are extremely low, the long-term safety and efficacy for children are not yet fully understood.
  3. It's important to focus on vulnerable populations for vaccination and boosters to protect society as a whole. The data and understanding around COVID vaccination for young children are still evolving, requiring a nuanced approach towards decision-making.

Paxlovid is not a Panacea

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 23 May 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Medication COVID-19 Treatment Vaccination Immunity
  1. Paxlovid is not a one-size-fits-all solution and its effectiveness varies depending on factors like age, vaccination status, and underlying health conditions.
  2. Using Paxlovid in vaccinated individuals is still being studied, but it has shown anecdotal improvement in symptoms for some high-risk patients.
  3. Some vaccinated patients have experienced a rebound of COVID symptoms after finishing a course of Paxlovid, prompting further research and caution in prescribing.

Boost Your Immunity

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 04 Apr 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Immunity Vaccination COVID-19 Medical Advice Public Health
  1. The FDA authorized a second booster shot for specific groups, emphasizing individual responsibility in COVID protection.
  2. Data supports high effectiveness of COVID vaccines in reducing hospitalization rates, especially with more booster shots.
  3. Consulting a primary care provider for personalized advice on receiving additional booster shots is crucial for making informed decisions.

Own Your Fear; Don’t Capitulate to it

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 25 Jan 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Anxiety COVID-19 Vaccination Therapy
  1. Recognize and face your fears instead of giving in to them. Trust facts and balance risks for sound decision-making.
  2. Anxiety during a global crisis is normal. It's important to calibrate fear to actual risks and consider seeking help if anxiety interferes with daily life.
  3. Talking out your thoughts and fact-checking internal narratives can help manage anxiety and maintain self-awareness.

Don’t Beat Yourself Up if You’re Infected, Exposed and/or Confused.

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 18 Jan 22
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 Vaccination Self-compassion Fear Logistics Emotions
  1. Experiencing COVID symptoms after vaccination is common, but most people have milder symptoms and a lower risk of severe illness thanks to vaccines and boosters.
  2. Dealing with COVID involves medical challenges like fear and treatment options, logistical challenges like testing and isolation, and emotional challenges like guilt and shame.
  3. Getting COVID isn't a moral failure; it's a part of being human. We need to show empathy, self-compassion, and accept that exposures may happen despite precautions.

Replace Fear with Facts

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 11 Jan 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health COVID-19 Vaccination Long Covid Mental Wellbeing
  1. Fear-based messaging can be harmful by causing anxiety, promoting unhealthy behaviors, and impairing decision-making.
  2. Medical professionals should focus on providing fact-based information, nuanced guidance, and empowering patients to make informed decisions.
  3. Doctors in the public eye should remain humble, aware of their biases, and prioritize delivering accurate medical information rather than sensationalism.

Giddy Up for Omicron

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 04 Jan 22
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 Vaccination Mental health Public Health Self-care
  1. Omicron is generally mild for vaccinated individuals and the vaccines are effective in preventing severe illness.
  2. Reducing isolation period to 5 days is scientifically sound, promotes normalcy, and is beneficial for mental health.
  3. Kids are more likely to get COVID-19 outside of school, and keeping them in school is important for social, emotional, and educational well-being.

Take it One Day at a Time

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 30 Nov 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Physical health Vaccination Global Issues Self-care
  1. We don't know much about the Omicron variant yet, so it's important to wait for more data before drawing conclusions.
  2. Vaccination is crucial for protecting oneself and others from COVID-19, and seeking out accurate information is essential.
  3. Taking care of physical and mental health, staying informed, and being kind to oneself and others are important ways to navigate uncertain times.

Giddy-up for Fall

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 01 Nov 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Vaccination Testing Antibodies Pandemic
  1. The state of the pandemic in the US is improving, with falling COVID cases, hospitalizations, and deaths due to widespread vaccination and population immunity.
  2. Vaccines and booster shots are crucial for preventing severe illness from COVID, especially for high-risk individuals, and studies show they are effective against death and hospitalization.
  3. The approval of vaccines for kids ages 5-11 is on the horizon, potentially offering relief to parents and helping pave the way for a return to normalcy for children.

Boost Your Vaccine Confidence

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 27 Sep 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Vaccination COVID-19 Booster shots Immunity Public Health
  1. The CDC recommends booster shots for specific groups at higher risk of poor outcomes from COVID-19 breakthrough infections, but the decision is complex and based on evolving data.
  2. Recommendations for Moderna and J & J vaccine recipients are still pending, but it's suggested that high-risk individuals consider a third dose, potentially even from a different type of vaccine for additional protection.
  3. The focus should be on trusting the existing vaccines and immune systems to manage COVID-19 risks, rather than solely relying on boosters to eliminate the pandemic threat entirely.

Fight The Flu

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 20 Sep 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Prevention Treatment Vaccination Immunity Medication
  1. The flu is a respiratory illness caused by the Influenza virus, can be severe, and leads to thousands of deaths each year in the U.S.
  2. The effectiveness of the flu vaccine varies from 20-60%, but even when effectiveness is low, it still significantly reduces mortality and morbidity.
  3. It is important to get the flu shot every year, especially this year, to prevent outbreaks that could strain healthcare systems and to protect against the flu and COVID-19.

Protect Kids From Delta

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 09 Aug 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Children's Health Vaccination COVID-19 Public Health Health recommendations
  1. Delta variant is more contagious, leading to more COVID-19 cases, even among vaccinated individuals, but breakthrough cases are generally mild
  2. Vaccinated people do not currently need booster shots, and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine shows promising protection against severe disease or death from Delta
  3. Children are generally at lower risk from Delta variant, but unvaccinated kids with underlying health conditions need extra protection measures like being surrounded by vaccinated adults and staying home when sick

Unpack CDC’s New Guidance

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 02 Aug 21
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 Vaccination
  1. CDC now recommends masks indoors for vaccinated people in areas with high transmission risk
  2. Vaccines offer strong protection against severe disease and death from COVID-19, even with the Delta variant
  3. It's not clear if vaccinated asymptomatic people can easily transmit the virus, more data is needed

Dig Into Delta

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 26 Jul 21
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 Vaccination Symptoms Prevention
  1. Vaccinations remain effective against severe COVID-19 cases, even with the Delta variant.
  2. Vaccinated individuals may still choose to wear masks indoors based on personal risk factors or local infection rates.
  3. Vaccinated people do not significantly drive the spread of the Delta variant; continued vaccination efforts are crucial to combat the pandemic.

Recap and Regroup

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 19 Jul 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Physical health COVID-19 Vaccination Public Health
  1. Taking a break is important for mental health and well-being. Delegating tasks and slowing down can help with burnout.
  2. COVID-19 is still a significant concern. Vaccination remains crucial for protection, especially against the delta variant.
  3. Focusing on holistic health is key. Emphasizing mental health, relationships, and healthy lifestyle choices can lead to overall well-being.

Take a Pregnant Pause

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 08 Jul 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Pregnancy COVID-19 Vaccination Decision-making
  1. Pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic can be challenging due to the risks involved. It is essential to weigh the benefits of getting vaccinated.
  2. Data on pregnant individuals who received the COVID vaccine shows reassuring safety outcomes for both the person and the pregnancy.
  3. The mRNA vaccine technology has been in production for a decade and is safe, providing a crucial tool for protecting pregnant and breastfeeding patients.

Manage Expectations

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 28 Jun 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Public Health Infectious Diseases Vaccination Immunity Preventive measures
  1. People enjoy autonomy and want positive affirmations in decisions regarding health recommendations.
  2. It's important to understand that eradicating COVID-19 completely is impossible, but controlling it is feasible through vaccination and other preventive measures.
  3. The key to moving forward in this new era is through vaccinations, staying updated on health screenings, and being aware of the measures needed to control COVID-19.

Vax to Relax

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 10 Jun 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Child Health COVID-19 Public Health Vaccination Mental health
  1. Parenting involves balancing restrictions and freedoms for children.
  2. Fall 2020 was a challenging time for kids due to the pandemic, and there are considerations about reopening schools in a safe manner.
  3. It's important to shift from a zero-risk approach to relative-risk-reduction mode when dealing with COVID-19 to address the broader needs of individuals and populations.

Pick Your Battles

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 03 Jun 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Vaccination Child Health Parenting COVID-19 Medical Advice
  1. Consider the risks and benefits before making decisions about your family's health, like getting vaccinated for COVID-19.
  2. Vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccines, are effective and safe, providing protection and helping reduce transmission.
  3. Making informed decisions based on science and facts, not fear, is crucial when navigating health choices for your family.

Look at the Big Picture Even Though We’re Not Done

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 17 May 21
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 Vaccination Mental health Physical health
  1. Vaccination is crucial for restoring health, safety, and sanity, motivating people to get vaccinated.
  2. CDC guidance on mask-wearing can create confusion and anxiety, especially for unvaccinated and high-risk individuals.
  3. As we navigate through the pandemic, it's essential to consider the big picture, focus on overall health goals, and respect individual decisions regarding health measures.

I’ll Have What She’s Having

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 12 May 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Vaccination COVID-19 Family Community Global
  1. CDC has acknowledged minimal risk for vaccinated individuals, allowing mask removal indoors and outdoors except in certain scenarios like public transportation.
  2. Vaccinating teens can contribute to returning to normalcy quicker, as vaccines are proven safe and effective in this age group.
  3. Vaccinating children helps protect the community by limiting the spread of the virus, preventing mutation, and creating stronger immunity overall.

It Takes a Village

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 03 May 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Vaccination Community support Global Health Podcasts
  1. It is crucial to leverage the support and expertise of a community or 'village' to navigate challenges and make a difference.
  2. Always consider the context and real-world data when discussing important topics like vaccination to empower informed decision-making.
  3. Global solidarity is essential, as we are all part of a larger community and should offer support to those in need, even beyond our borders.

Don’t be Surprised When Vaccinated People Get Covid

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 12 Apr 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Vaccination COVID-19 Mental health Anxiety Immune System
  1. Vaccines are working - reducing severe disease, hospitalizations, and asymptomatic transmission, providing hope for lifting restrictions soon.
  2. Challenges remain - rising case rates in states with lifted restrictions, vaccine hesitancy slowing herd immunity, and reports of breakthrough infections in vaccinated individuals.
  3. Breakthrough infections after vaccination are expected, but rare, and usually do not result in severe illness or onward transmission - no need for alarm.

Hope and Caution aren’t Mutually Exclusive

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 05 Apr 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health COVID-19 Vaccination Well-being
  1. When good news is based on science, it's important to share it - like addressing mental health alongside physical health during the pandemic.
  2. Vaccines significantly reduce the risk of severe COVID, but it's crucial to remember that zero risk doesn't exist, and individual health plays a role.
  3. Nuanced medical advice tailored to individuals is key in the evolving health landscape, emphasizing the importance of having a primary care doctor.

Get Excited with Me

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 01 Apr 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Vaccination COVID-19 Immunity Data Efficacy
  1. The vaccines have shown strong effectiveness against symptomatic COVID-19 after full vaccination, making it difficult to contract the disease.
  2. After vaccination, the risk of transmitting the virus and making others sick is extremely low, providing protection for both the vaccinated individual and those around them.
  3. The vaccines have proven to be powerful against COVID-19 variants, with data showing high efficacy in preventing severe disease and even mild cases, emphasizing the importance of vaccination.