Getting boosted is important for those >50 years. There was a 29-fold reduction when comparing 2 boosters vs unvaccinated and a 4-fold reduction when comparing 2nd booster vs 1 booster. CDC: Rates of COVID-19 Cases and Deaths by Vaccination Status
From September 1, 2021, to October 31, 2021, a total of 107 childrenwith MIS-C were hospitalized in France…33 (31%) were adolescents eligible for vaccination
Among those with MIS-C, 0 had been fully vaccinated, 7 had received 1 dose with a median (IQR) time between vaccine injection and MIS-C onset of 25 (17-37) days, and 26 had not been vaccinated. The HR for MIS-C was 0.09 (95% CI, 0.04-0.21; P < .001) after the first vaccine dose compared with unvaccinated adolescent. Because there were no MIS-C cases in those who were vaccinated, an HR cannot be calculated in this group.
The study had limitations, including the low number of patients, use of national data to calculate HR without considering regional variations, and inability to control for individual risks of MIS-C, such as sex, race and ethnicity, and comorbidities
My take: This study indicates that COCID-19 vaccination likely results in a marked decrease in the risk of MISC-C. This finding provides an additional reason favoring vaccination in adolescents in terms of risk-benefit calculation for immunization.
Safe sleep initiatives briefly discussed by Dr. Sarah Lazarus which aligns with Strong4Life campaign:
From Dr. Evan Anderson’s presentation to AAP Board MeetingDr. Anderson notes that COVID-19 mortality and morbidity IN CHILDREN exceeding other conditions with vaccines like Varicella and Influenza.Letter from AAP President to FDA (Dr. Hahn) and HHS (Alex Azar)
Other information:
Update on E-Cigarettes Webinar*+: Wednesday, October 28 at 12:30 pm Please note new date! Here’s a chance to still register. First in a series of three webinars offered to Georgia Pediatricians on the growing epidemic of youth e-cigarette use Faculty: Alice Little Caldwell, MD, FAAP https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8457518617359610381
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This year’s Summer Georgia AAP Board Meeting included presentations from Kathleen Toomey (commissioner of the Department of Public Health), Sally Goza (National AAP President),Kristie Clarke/Anne Kimball (CDC Liaison) and Evan Anderson (infectious disease committee). Also a fair amount of information was shared by more than 75 participants.
Useful Links:
RIVM Children and COVID-19 Describes experience with opening schools in Europe and Australia. “Schools have now reopened in various other European countries. RIVM is in close contact with sister organisations in these countries to evaluate the impact of this policy on the spread of the novel coronavirus there. Denmark was the first country to reopen childcare and primary education, as of 15 April. They have not reported any negative effects after reopening the schools and are not seeing any increase in the reproduction number. ” There were several studies showing no transmission
Georgia Department of Public Health: DPH COVID-19 Website: One fatality due to COVID-19 in Georgia Pediatric population, 0-17 years.
From Dr. Goza -AAP website/resources/agenda:
From Dr Goza: AAP has been working on health equity and racism prior to recent events, including policy statement last year. Now with additional input:
From Kristie Clarke/Anne Kimball –they note that recent MMWR reports that the pediatric population now representing 5% of COVID-19 cases with more widespread testing.
From Dr. Terri McFadden (Ga. AAP Chair):
Related material from The Children’s Care Network: Website: Call Your Pediatrician Video -Dr. Anna Kuo (2 minutes) “Now, more than ever, it is important that practices actively reach out to families to educate them on the importance of staying connected to their medical home. Kids Health First partnered with Dr. AnnaKuo from Peachtree Park Pediatrics, to create a video aimed towards parents. This video highlights the importance of scheduling patient visits, staying up-to-date on immunizations and assuring families of the safety measures practices are implementing to ensure the health and well-being for all. “
SARS-CoV-2 is a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the genus Betacoronavirus, and phylogenetically related (88%–89% similarity) to the two bat-derived SARS-like coronaviruses, bat-SL-CoVZC45 and bat-SL-CoVZXC21….
Routine gastroenterology practice poses increased risk of exposure and potential viral transmission during ambulatory interaction, especially during endoscopic procedures…
The use of telemedicine is now a critical tool for the pediatric gastroenterologists and their patients, whether in the academic setting or private practice…The recently published AAP guideline, entitled Telehealth Payer Policy in Response to COVID-19 (https://downloads.aap.org/DOPA/Telehealth_2_rev.pdf and https://www.aap.org/en-us/professional-resources/practice-transformation/telehealth/Pages/compendium.aspx), which outlines policy changes aiming to alleviate barriers to telehealth care, along with a webinar on telehealth and guidance on structuring your practice during the pandemic are tools that can be employed in both the academic and private practice pediatric gastroenterologist office to facilitate ongoing quality care of their patients
My take: This article provides a concise update and numerous resources. As the information about the coronavirus is rapidly changing, the recommendations will continue to evolve.
Also, JPGN has a large number of articles available on its COVID-19 page: Link: COVID-19 page This page includes articles related to endoscopy, PPE, telemedicine, and central line infections. Also, based on a personal communication, there will be a link to a recently published article soon on “Pediatric Crohn’s Disease and Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) and COVID-19 Treated With Infliximab.”(Dolinger M T, Person H, Smith R, et al. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition 2020; PMID: 32452979 DOI: 10.1097/MPG.0000000000002809)
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