Fall 2023: Both updated and new vaccines are available to protect us from the most significant respiratory viruses. Here are considerations for adult vaccination:
1. Influenza “flu vaccine”: The 2023-2024 flu vaccine is available for all adults from late August. It is important for all adults to get vaccinated this fall. Protect yourself and those around you.
Click here for CDC flu vaccine link
2. COVID-19: Like influenza, the COVID-19 virus changes over time and updated boosters are developed periodically. Vaccination is very effective at preventing severe disease. For protection during fall 2023 and winter 2024 adults should receive the new XBB vaccine (available September).
Click here for CDC COVID-19 booster link
3. RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) vaccine: This respiratory virus caused many cases of severe illness this past winter. Most severe infections occur in children, older adults, and those with diseases affecting the lungs or immune system. Beginning fall 2023, a new vaccine (from 2 manufacturers) will be available for adults age 60 and over and also during pregnancy.
Click here for CDC RSV vaccine link
Fall 2022: The Bivalent COVID-19 vaccine is available and recommended. The new vaccines (by Pfizer and Moderna) offer protection against both the original Wuhan virus strain and the newer Omicron virus strains (BA4/5) which are causing infections in the US at this time.
We have continued to see a significant impact of COVID-19 vaccination, which has been successful in deceasing the severity of illness, especially for people at high risk. Many fewer people with COVID are requiring hospitalization, facing severe complications or dying.
In addition to a COVID-19 booster, the flu vaccine is recommended for all adults this fall. It will decrease your risk of influenza illness and its complications, and your vaccination also protect those around you.
Please remember, IF YOU DEVELOP A COVID-19 INFECTION we are available 7 days per week to discuss treatment options (including prescribing Paxlovid if you are eligible and currently located in Massachusetts).
Summer 2022: Americans are traveling more, seeing people and places that have been limited since the onset of COVID restrictions. My recommendation remains to adhere to the public health guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health authorities regarding vaccination and personal protection with travel:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html
We are fortunate to have Paxlovid antiviral therapy available, and over the course of the past few months I have evaluated many people via telemedicine who had active COVID infections. If you are diagnosed with COVID-19 (typically with a rapid home test) please call the office and we will be able to coordinate a telemedicine appointment to discuss your eligibility for Paxlovid, including whether any medical problems or medications need to be considered.
As we look forward to the next few months, there will likely be in a booster with broader coverage available against the omicron variant.
Spring 2022: Vaccination with booster has proven effective at decreasing the risk for complications and severe disease, and now several treatment options are also available to lower these risks. For our patients who develop COVID-19 symptoms, we encourage you to test at home and call us if you test positive. We can evaluate you via telemedicine, generally same day, but always within 24 hours to discuss antiviral treatment and initiate a prescription if appropriate. During the weekday, you can call the office; on weekends, the answering service will page your physician.
Winter 2021: This pandemic continues to pose challenges at every season. My best advice to is continue to rely on the science: mask up, get vaccinated and boosted. Stay safe.
Fall 2021: The availability of COVID-19 vaccines has had a substantial impact by decreasing the rate of infection and severity of infection in vaccine recipients, yet occasional vaccine-breakthrough cases and illness in those who are unvaccinated has continued. With concern for additional new variants, it is as important as ever to follow public health guidelines including use of masks and other means to limit exposure risk, and following vaccine recommendations for primary series and boosters in adults and getting children vaccinated when eligible.
Summer 2021: With availability of COVID-19 vaccination and the delta variant now widespread in the US and beyond, I continue to encourage everyone to get vaccinated. I remain available to discuss questions or concerns regarding the vaccine; for patients in my practice, please feel free to contact us if you would like to talk about any COVID related concerns.
Spring 2021: COVID-19 vaccination is becoming more widespread (after initial challenges) and the cautious loosening of restrictions for vaccinated people has been welcome as we enter a time of warm weather in New England and can benefit from outdoor spaces for socializing. Here at Wellesley Internal Medicine, I continue to emphasize the importance of vaccination; with tens of millions of doses administered (including the two given to me!), the rate of side effects remains very, very low. In contrast, the risks from COVID-19 infection are substantial, in addition to the potential risks from possible vaccine-resistant variants, which remains a significant concern. I encourage everyone without a contraindication to get vaccinated. If you have any questions or concerns about the vaccine, please feel free to bring them to my attention and I would be happy to discuss.
Winter 2021: Coronavirus vaccination represents a new frontier in our fight against the virus. However, our nation is facing a limited supply during these first few weeks of the roll out.
In Massachusetts, the Department of Public Health is directing most of the limited vaccine supply to designated vaccination sites. For site locations, vaccine eligibility and scheduling, please click here: vaxfinder.mass.gov
Click here to read the Massachusetts Medical Society letter on primary care physician vaccine access
While we are prepared to administer coronavirus vaccinations in the office, we encourage those of you who are eligible for vaccination now to schedule your vaccine at a state-run vaccination site, pharmacy or other available location.
Spring 2020: The 2019 coronavirus, or COVID-19, has changed much of how we lead our lives. However, it has not altered the need to care for your overall health, whether you have a health condition that needs monitoring or a new medical issue, we are here to take care of you both in the office, and online through our telemedicine platform.
COVID-19 testing:
We offer testing during illness and after recovery.
– During symptoms of coronavirus illness, we use a nasal swab to detect the virus (RNA PCR).
– After recovery, to confirm prior illness and measure the body’s response, we use a blood test to detect antibodies.
(Routine antibody testing after vaccination is not currently recommended.)
We are open and accepting new patients.
Please give us a call and we will work with you to address your health needs – by phone, via telemedicine or at a visit.
Phone: 781-235-1369
For more information on coronavirus or COVID-19:
Phone: dial 211
Internet Resources (click the links below)
Massachusetts DPH:
http://mass.gov/covid19
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html