Updated COVID-19 vaccine available for VUMC employees and patients
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved an updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine provides better protection against current strains of COVID-19 that are circulating as we transition into the fall/winter virus season.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that anyone six (6) months and older who has not received a COVID-19 vaccine in the past two months receive...
VUMC receives $28 million to lead national study of COVID-diabetes link
by Bill Snyder
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have received a four-year, $ 28 million grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, to study the relationship between COVID-19 and diabetes.
Several studies have found that infection with SARS-CoV-2 and a COVID-19 diagnosis are associated with a...
Updated guidance on masking, COVID-19 testing at VUMC
Updated Guidance Around Universal Masking in Clinical Areas
VUMC is resuming standard infection prevention protocols, effective immediately. These changes reflect current available evidence on the prevention of COVID-19, including high levels of vaccine and infection- induced immunity and the availability of effective treatment and prevention tools:
Universal masking of patients, employees and...
Updated COVID-19 infection prevention guidelines for all VUMC workforce members
As we exit viral respiratory season and COVID-19 case numbers remain lower for our region, VUMC is resuming standard infection prevention protocols. These changes reflect current available evidence in the prevention of COVID-19, including high levels of vaccine and infection induced immunity and the availability of effective treatment and prevention tools.
As we exit viral respiratory season and COVID-19...
VUMC strongly recommends COVID-19 bivalent booster vaccination as new COVID-19 variants appear in our region
As we conclude the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, important advances have been made in the diagnosis, treatment, and especially prevention of this serious infection. To date, over 663 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been given to people in the U.S. alone. These vaccines have been proven very safe with severe side effects being extremely rare. Importantly, they have been incredibly...
AstraZeneca VP to discuss COVID-19 collaboration with VUMC Nov. 17
Mark Esser, PhD
by Bill Snyder
On Thursday, Nov. 17, Mark Esser, PhD, vice president, Early Vaccines and Immune Therapies R&D at AstraZeneca, will discuss his company’s collaboration with Vanderbilt University Medical Center that led to development of the Evusheld antibody combo to prevent COVID-19 in high-risk individuals.
Sponsored by the Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, Esser’s talk, titled “Better...
Reminder: COVID-19 infection prevention guidelines for all VUMC workforce members
VUMC leaders continue to track key metrics such as transmission rates for COVID-19 in the community and county statistics for those who are vaccinated while keeping abreast of evolving practices for infection prevention and changing federal and state requirements for compliance with workplace safety standards.
VUMC is following CDC guidance for health care facilities, not community guidance. Below...
COVID antibody research conducted at VUMC lands national award
Shown here is the research team that discovered monoclonal antibodies that protect against COVID-19 in high-risk individuals. (Kristi Irving Photography)
by Bill Snyder
A long-acting antibody combination discovered at Vanderbilt University Medical Center that protects against COVID-19 in high-risk individuals, and which was optimized and developed by the global pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, has...
COVID infection rates are rising again; masking now required in all public indoor areas of VUMC
iStock
Considering the rapidly increasing rate of COVID-19 infections in our community and medical center, VUMC is reimplementing required masking in all indoor, non-clinical areas of VUMC regardless of vaccination status. As before, masking is also required in all clinical areas and on shuttles. These requirements apply to all employees, patients, trainees, and visitors.
Masks may be removed when...
VUMC offers second booster to eligible individuals
Based on updated CDC COVID-19 booster guidelines and VUMC’s review of the evidence, VUMC will offer a second booster of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to eligible individuals, ages 50 and over, who received either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. Others who are eligible for a second booster include those who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine as a first shot and first booster dose and individuals...
Long-acting antibody combo developed at VUMC reduces COVID-19 risk and symptoms
by Bill Snyder
The global biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca announced more good news about its long-acting combination of two monoclonal antibodies against COVID-19 that were discovered at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
In a prevention trial, one prophylactic, intramuscular injection of the antibody combination, called AZD7442, reduced the risk of symptoms occurring after exposure...
Surveys show VUMC patients value immediate online access to test results
by Paul Govern
Vanderbilt University Medical Center patients are overwhelmingly in favor of having immediate electronic access to their clinical test results, recent surveys show.
A federal rule in effect since April 5 was designed in part to ensure that patients are given electronic access to their health information upon their request and at no cost, including, with very few exceptions,...