News ≫ COVID 19- Vaccines by Dr Deepthi Jayasekara, Clinical Professor and Infectious Diseases Specialist

COVID 19- Vaccines by Dr Deepthi Jayasekara, Clinical Professor and Infectious Diseases Specialist

Apr 1, 2020
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While the entire world is getting suffocated by frightening news on COVID-19 everyday, the first clinical trial on COVID-19 vaccines begun in Seattle, Washington State few days ago. The phase 1 human trial created by NIH (national Institute of Health) and a company called Moderna commenced by vaccinating 45 healthy and young volunteers at a Kaiser Research Center in Seattle. This marks the beginning of a lengthy process that has given us a glimmer of hope in this current crisis. If fast-tracked as promised, we should have a vaccine against COVID-19 in a few months. The seroprevalence studies measuring the antibodies would begin soon in order to gauge the response to the vaccine. We, the ID specialists are hoping that the vaccine would trigger some lasting immunity to the virus. We also formulated a plan to treat the confirmed cases of COVID-19 with malaria medications called Chloroquin and Hydroxycloroquin which are relatively inexpensive medicines. We plan to combine them with Azitrhomycin (antibiotic and anti-inflammatory medication) while monitoring for side effects in deserving patients. There are other expensive options such as Remdesivir and Tocilizumab for most severe cases with pulmonary complications.. There are randomized clinical trials which have shown promising results with these medications so far.

In the meantime, the doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers continue to work tirelessly to save lives of the patients who are hospitalized with COVID-19, specially the most vulnerable such as people over 65 years, immunocompromised patients and those with pre-existig illnesses. About 85% of the patients we test with RT-PCR swabs have been negative for COVID-19 in California and we do those tests out of abundance of cation. It’s hard to gauge the pre-test probability amid current confusion and panic, but we are doing better everyday. I urge you to learn a lesson from China, Italy and Iran although we are ahead of the curve with our day-to-infection control practices and a standard of governance compared to those country. let’s all keep our focus on practicing social mitigation/distancing, proper hand hygiene, facial hygiene, respiratory etiquettes and let’s stay home when you are sick. Avoid discretionary travel as requested by the government. While hunkered down at home, let’s also think of the people who really need our assistance and extend a helping hand when appropriate. Also remember there are Meditation Apps which can guide you to stay calm in a crisis situation like this. Don’t forget to pick up the phone and reach out to your friends and family members.

by Dr Deepthi Jayasekara

Clinical Professor and Infectious Diseases specialist

Claremont, CA

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