The University of Kansas Health System reports a lower number of COVID patients today. 13 with the active virus are being treated, down from 17 yesterday. Two patients are in the ICU, the same as yesterday and both are on ventilators, the same as yesterday. 24 other patients are still hospitalized because of COVID but are out of the acute infection phase, up from 21 yesterday. That’s a total of 37 patients, down from 38 yesterday
On today’s Morning Medical Update, with CDC approval of the Pfizer vaccine for children, there are still two other vaccines awaiting approval. One involves an eight- year-old boy who took part in the Moderna trial. We talked with his parents who are doctors here in the health system. They discussed the decision, how the trial went and why they think you should get your child vaccinated. Also, Dr. Kevin Ault, an obstetrician at the health system who also sits on the ASIP committee of the CDC talks about the Pfizer approval.
Dr. Luke Selby is a colorectal surgeon at The University of Kansas Health System. His wife, Dr. Sarah Selby, works in the hospital’s Emergency Department. They were among the first in the country to get vaccinated when it became available. They felt very comfortable that it was safe for adults and were very comfortable that it would be safe for kids. They knew the way to find out is by doing research and felt their-eight-year son Andrew would be a perfect candidate for the Moderna trial. But they didn’t just sign him up. They talked about it with him first and got his permission to enroll in the trial, which he was excited to do. He had no problems with the vaccine, other than a sore arm the next day. He knew that being vaccinated was another step toward getting back to normal at school. The good news is the family just found out last night that Andrew got the actual vaccine and not a placebo, so he is fully vaccinated. His five- year-old brother, Jackson, is set to get his first shot next Monday. It appears there are a lot of parents eager to get their kids vaccinated as soon as possible. The doctors report it took 15 minutes of calling to get through to the pediatrician’s office to find out they were 50th in line to make an appointment. As both doctors and parents, they want to assure non-medical parents the vaccine is very safe and effective and that the technology has been around for decades. They point out that most clinical trials involve only a few hundred patients. This one involved 4,000 children. They are relieved that Andrew and their whole family will be protected for the holidays.
Dr. Ault says 28 million children 5 to 11 are now eligible for the Pfizer vaccine. It will be a two-dose regimen like the adult version. He expects his committee will be reviewing the data from the Moderna trial in the next month, and will likely be reviewing data for children under five in the next few months. The Pfizer vaccine for kids was 91 percent effective in the trial, similar to the adult version. He addressed the concern by some that older teen boys could get myocarditis, inflammation of the heart from the vaccine. The data shows one in every 50 or 100-thousand could get it, which makes it extremely rare, and those few who do get it recover with no ill effects in a day or two. He says the evidence shows kids are much more likely to get myocarditis from COVID itself, and it’s a lot more serious. He also addressed the lingering concerns by some that the vaccine causes fertility problems by saying they occur with the same frequency as in the general population. He explained the very real dangers for unvaccinated pregnant women who get COVID. He stresses vaccinations for kids will keep schools open and get us closer to life as normal.
Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of Infection Prevention and Control, discussed Britain’s authorization of the Merc pill for those who test positive for COVID. He says it looks safe and appears to reduce the symptoms of COVID, similar to the way Tamiflu helps reduce influenza symptoms. It’s still being studied in the U.S., but he says you’re much better off being vaccinated and not needing it at all. He said he’s currently treating an otherwise healthy COVID patient in their mid-30’s who is not vaccinated and may die, leaving several children without a parent. He says a misinformation campaign kept this patient from getting vaccinated and he thinks it’s time to hold those people accountable. He says there’s no reason this should happen with the safe and effective vaccination available. He believes it’s an exciting time now that younger kids can get vaccinated and urges every parent to get that done as soon as possible.
Friday, November 5 at 8:00 a.m. is the next Morning Medical Update. We're administering some of our first pediatric COVID shots right here on the program. Plus, it’s follow-up Friday. Dr. Hawkinson and Dr. Stites will be here to answer media and community questions.
NOTE: Journalists should rejoin the Morning Medical Update at 8am as doctors are growing too busy again for individual interview requests. Please bring questions or send to medicalnewsnetwork@kumc.edu until further notice. Thanks for all you do and helping to keep the community safe with your reporting.
ATTENTION: media procedure for calling in:
The meeting is available by Zoom, both video and by phone. To join the Zoom Meeting by video, click https://kumc-ois.zoom.us/j/7828978628
Telephone dial-in Participants: For those without Zoom, call 1-312-626-6799, meeting ID: 782 897 8628.
The feed is also available via TVU grid. The TVU source is UoK_Health and is being made available to all.
Feel free to send questions in advance to medicalnewsnetwork@kumc.edu.