Weekly Roundup: In Case You Missed It |
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COVID-19 Updates
For individuals who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the following groups are eligible for a booster shot at 6 months or more after their initial series:
For those who got the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, booster shots are also recommended for those who are 18 and older and who were vaccinated two or more months ago.
Last week the CDC and FDA endorsed the so-called mix-and-match strategy, saying people fully immunized with one company’s vaccine should be allowed to receive a different vaccine for their booster shot.
On Tuesday the FDA’s independent vaccine advisory board endorsed the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11. The issue now goes to the CDC’s vaccine advisory group, which is set to meet on Nov. 2 and 3. Federal officials say that after the CDC director issues the agency’s guidance, 15 million doses of vaccine will immediately be shipped to the states for distribution.
Solano County reported on Wednesday that 80% of residents 16 years and older have received at least one COVID vaccine dose, and 69% are fully vaccinated.
Napa County reported on Tuesday that 93% of residents 16 years and older have received at least one COVID vaccine dose, and 85% are fully vaccinated.
Solano County reports that, as of October 28, it has given more than 568,000 vaccinations (first and second doses). As of October 21, ICU capacity in the county is 12% with 11 confirmed COVID patients hospitalized.
Napa County reports that as of October 28, more than 209,000 vaccine doses have been administered by the county. As of October 21, ICU capacity is 5% with 5 COVID patients in ICU.
ICYMI: Monoclonal Antibody Infusion Treatment for COVID Now Available in Napa
Eligible patients in Napa who have tested positive for COVID-19 and show signs of likely progression toward hospitalization can now receive monoclonal antibody infusion therapy. The one-time infusion, which was authorized by the FDA for emergency use in the treatment of COVID-19, may help keep certain individuals with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 from progressing in their illness and may make it less likely for them to be hospitalized. The antibodies used in the therapy are similar to the ones your body makes naturally in response to an infection. For more information on the therapy, eligibility, and how to schedule an appointment, please see the attached flyer.
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CMA Publishes 2021 Legislative Wrap-Up
CMA Senior VP of Government Relations Janus Norman has published his annual Legislative Wrap-Up, which provides an insider's take on what went down this legislative session. Implementing lessons learned from the prior year on how to better navigate the Capitol’s hybrid-working approach and prohibition on in-person meetings, CMA took an aggressive approach to the year, moving forward an agenda to protect physician practices, increase access to care, and build a prosperous future for the medical profession. The wrap-up is available to members only at cmadocs.org/legwrap2021. |
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QVMC Needs Blood Donors, Faces Low Supply
Queen of the Valley Medical Center (QVMC) is in critical need of blood donors to help bring its low blood supply to a more adequate level. The hospital is hosting a blood drive on Nov. 10th from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM at its Le Puy Conference Room (1000 Trancas St., Napa). For more information on how to schedule an appointment or to ask questions, please click on the attached flyer.
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NSMS 2021 Awards Gala Now On-Demand!
Miss the NSMS Virtual Awards Gala on October 15? Watch it on-demand here! For this year’s event, we created a cocktail together LIVE, heard an address from the president of the American Medical Association, and honored the following Napa-Solano physicians for their achievements in medicine: Dr. Larry Cooney, Lifetime Achievement Award; Dr. David Pratt, Physician of the Year (Napa); and Dr. Tessa Stecker, Physician of the Year (Solano). And huge thank-yous to our event sponsors: MIEC, Partnership HealthPlan of California, Touro University California, and Bay Imaging Consultants Medical Group!
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Dues Discount Ends December 15
NSMS members who renew their 2022 membership by December 15 qualify for a 5% discount on their dues. Click here to pay your dues online. Nonmembers who join now and pay in full for 2022 will receive the remaining months of this year for free. Click here to join now!
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Available on demand
Member $29.00 | Non-member $79.00
Now available! Current and new staff can receive on-demand training on HIPAA, OSHA, and customer service. Intended for all staff encountering patients in person or by telephone, this course covers customer service techniques, the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). For questions, contact Jenn Mullins, Education and Event Associate, at jmullins@accma.org.
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Tuesdays through December 14
Free to attend | CME Available | Presented by CMA
The California Medical Association's (CMA) wellness program (CMA Wellness) is pleased to launch free, online wellness engagement groups for health care providers who conduct patient screenings for adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Treating patients with multiple ACEs or toxic stress can potentially impact your personal wellness and increase feelings of burnout. CMA Wellness's engagement groups will support providers by offering subject matter experts, best practices, and an open forum to share experiences, facilitated by trained, volunteer physicians. Each monthly webinar is organized around a prevailing theme with a stakeholder co-host to provide a variety of perspectives with a general discussion and breakout rooms. Registration is required, and providers will be joining the Tuesday series for a 6‑month duration.
For more information and to register, click here.
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Wednesday, November 17 | noon to 1:10 PM
FREE | Presented by UCSF Library Archives & Bay Area History of Medicine Society
Former ACCMA Executive Director Donald Waters, author of “Medical Care for All, Regardless,” will present highlights from the book, which covers ground-breaking programs launched by the ACCMA in 1945 that boldly guaranteed high-quality medical care to everyone in the community. The book is available for download here or members can request a hard copy by contacting the ACCMA at (510) 654‑5383 or accma@accma.org.
Register here; registration is limited.
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