COVID-19 Health and Wellness Information |
This week, the Centers for Disease Control and Health and Human Services announced that there would be a few changes to the COVID-19 vaccine guidelines and distribution. The CDC recommends we begin offering the vaccine to people aged 65 and older. We have already been vaccinating UHealth patients 65 and older in a phased approach, based on the governor’s executive order issued last month.
Rolling out a program to vaccinate everyone in the United States is, not surprisingly, very challenging. The logistics and human resources alone are tricky, and the number of people who have been vaccinated so far is lower than we had hoped it would be by this point. However, the release of more vaccines will hopefully help others in our community to obtain the vaccine. Please pay attention to the newspapers and various public health sites for more information.
The amount of vaccine that we have available to administer is still dependent on what the state gives us. While we intend to provide everyone in our community a vaccine who wants one, it may still take several months or longer to get everyone vaccinated.
We are committed to this process of serving our patients and greater University community. Regardless, we must remain diligent, even if you get the vaccine. That means wearing a face covering when out in public, keeping at least 6 feet of distance between you and others, and washing or sanitizing your hands regularly. It is also essential that everyone continues with voluntary surveillance testing. Even if you received the vaccine, our process for testing remains the same.
Adhering to these measures will ensure that we limit the spread of COVID-19, which will keep the death and hospitalization rates down. Ultimately, our actions are protecting our greater community.
As always, I am here to support you and answer your questions.
Roy E. Weiss, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Medicine
Chair, Department of Medicine
Chief Medical Officer for COVID-19 |
COMORBIDITIESAs I mentioned, the CDC has a list of underlying conditions or comorbidities that put them at higher risk of developing severe illness with COVID-19. We have worked to schedule patients who are 65 and over with these comorbidities in a phased approach. The risk criteria include the following:
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cancer
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chronic kidney disease
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chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
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heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies
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immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant
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obesity (body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2 but <40 kg/m2)
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severe obesity (BMI ≥40 kg/m2)
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sickle cell disease
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type 2 diabetes mellitus
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pregnancy
Faculty and staff who believe they fall into this category can submit this form, requesting to be moved up in the phased approach. You will be notified if your request is approved and when you can schedule your appointment, based on vaccine supply.
MORE VACCINE FAQs Are there other vaccines to be approved?
Several vaccines are in different stages of development. AstraZeneca, Janssen, and Novavax all have COVID-19 vaccines in phase 3 clinical trials in the U.S. AstraZeneca has been cleared for use in the United Kingdom but has not yet submitted to the FDA for emergency use authorization.
Is the vaccine safe?
The Food and Drug Administration has granted the vaccine Emergency Use Authorization, which means that it has been evaluated and shown to be safe and effective. To gain approval, any vaccine must have been tested in large clinical trials, scientifically showing that it is indeed safe and efficacious against the coronavirus. In the clinical trials, any side effects recorded were generally mild, occurred in a small number of people, and usually resolved in a few days. If you have any questions about whether you should take the vaccine, please contact your health care provider.
If my spouse/significant other comes with me to my vaccine appointment, can they get the vaccine at the same time?
The vaccine appointment is only for the person who was invited to schedule the appointment. Each dose of the vaccine is accounted for and everyone who receives the vaccine must have an appointment. |
VIRUSES HAVE GROWTH SPURTS, TOOSARS-CoV-2 is now more than one year old, so unsurprisingly, the virus is hitting a variant growth spurt. Viruses mutate frequently—it is their natural behavior. Just this week, there were new variants announced in Japan and even in Columbus, Ohio, in addition to the ones we knew about in the United Kingdom and South Africa. So far, there is still no indication that any of these mutations will lessen the vaccines’ effectiveness or our current PCR tests used to detect the virus. Transmissibility continues to be the primary concern, which is at least something we can control through face coverings, distancing, and handwashing.
IMPROVE VENTILATION Another step you can take to protect yourself and your family is to ensure that your home is adequately ventilated, particularly if you must have people outside your household visit. Moving the air around and outside can help clear out virus particles. Luckily, winter in South Florida is an excellent time to have a window open. Here are some tips:
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Keep the windows open and use a window exhaust fan or place a fan next to a window, so it blows the air outside.
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Switch the fan setting on your air conditioning to “on” instead of “auto” if you must have visitors.
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Install a pleated filter to trap virus particles but make sure to replace it at least every three months.
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QUARANTINE GUIDELINESIf you have traveled, had a potential COVID-19 exposure, or are ill with COVID-19 symptoms, you must isolate or quarantine. We have created this useful guidelines chart that outlines the details.
RE-COMMITMENT TO ’CANES PROTECTING ’CANES As we all get ready to come back to campus, it is the perfect time to recommit to protecting yourself and your fellow ’Canes. The spring is a time of new beginnings and starting fresh, but first, we must get through winter. Let’s help each other stay strong and remember that we are all part of the University of Miami community. We will get through this together. |
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We will share more health and wellness news in the next edition. |
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COVID-19 RESOURCES
Students, faculty, and staff on the Coral Gables and Marine campuses who are experiencing possible symptoms consistent with, or who have been potentially exposed to, COVID-19 should contact the University's COVID-19 hotline at 305-243-ONE-U, where UHealth physicians and providers are available to answer your questions and provide telemedicine services if needed.
Members of the Medical Campus should contact 305-243-8378.
For additional University of Miami COVID-19 information and resources, visit coronavirus.miami.edu.
If you are a student in distress or need counseling services, the Counseling Center provides mental health services through HIPAA-compliant teleconferencing platforms. Counselors are certified and available to help any time by calling 305-284-5511. Additional resources are also available by visiting counseling.studentaffairs.miami.edu.
If you are a faculty or staff members in need of support visit fsap.miami.edu. |
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