News
COVID-19 test accuracy may vary by time of day says McNaughton
Mar. 18, 2021—The accuracy of gold-standard PCR tests of nasopharyngeal swab samples may vary by time of day, new data suggest. Researchers analyzed 31,094 tests performed in symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals at 127 testing sites, including 2,438 tests that showed COVID-19. In a paper posted on Saturday on medRxiv ahead of peer review, they report tests were...
Edwards says getting a COVID vaccine now is better than waiting for another option
Mar. 17, 2021—For now, experts are clear: The best vaccine is the one about to go into your arm. But as the vaccine supply grows, Americans eventually might find someone asking, “Which vaccine do you want?” The answer for most people will still be “Whatever’s available.” But there are differences that could play a role, though doctors...
Ammar worked with TDH to address income equality during COVID-19
Mar. 17, 2021—Vanderbilt students in the Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) Program reflected on perseverance despite complications with COVID-19. Lin Ammar ’21, a student in the Epidemiology track, was able to stay active during the year full of quarantining and stress. During her experience with the Office of Strategic Initiatives at T.D.H., Ammar had several responsibilities. “I...
MPH alumni lean on public health training during pandemic
Mar. 15, 2021—The team learned to don and doff personal protective equipment every time they entered and exited a patient’s room. They mastered the use of PAPRS, respirators that blow filtered air into space-helmet-like hoods. Designated “dofficers” ensured that their colleagues didn’t inadvertently spread infection as they got in and out of gear. Associate Hospital Epidemiologist Dr. Bryan...
Schaffner warns that vigilance will be necessary as the country reopens
Mar. 15, 2021—For the past year, people have pinned their hopes on vaccines to end the COVID-19 pandemic. As the country reopens, vigilance will be necessary said Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee. “As we gradually open schools, restaurants, sporting events, we will need to be alert to whether these activities...
Antoon explains decline in children hospital visits
Mar. 11, 2021—According to research from the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, 43% fewer kids are being the scene for common pediatric illnesses. James Antoon, M.D., M.P.H. candidate, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt said, “We compared hospitalizations from the three years before the pandemic to what we have been seeing since March of 2020.”...
Shorter TB regimen noninferior for people with HIV says Pettit
Mar. 11, 2021—A 4-month daily regimen of rifapentine and moxifloxacin was noninferior to the standard 6-month regimen for tuberculosis treatment among people with HIV enrolled in a phase 3 clinical trial, researchers reported at CROI. “Current international guidelines recommend 6 months of treatment for drug-susceptible pulmonary TB with isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide and ethambutol,” April Pettit, MD, MPH, associate professor...
Vasilevskis gives an update on Shed-MEDS
Mar. 11, 2021—A team of Vanderbilt University Medical Center researchers tackling the polypharmacy challenge are in the final year of the largest acute care deprescribing trial to date. Results will reveal the impact of mindful prescription review and intervention as older patients leave acute care to go to a skilled nursing facility (SNF) or an inpatient rehabilitation...
Creech comments on possible future COVID-19 nasal spray vaccine
Mar. 8, 2021—“Delivering vaccines to the sight of first exposure is an advantage,” Dr. Buddy Creech, who directs the Vanderbilt University vaccine-research program and has worked with Altimmune, told Insider. “Typically, you don’t get COVID-19 in the deltoid muscle of your arm — you get it in your nose, eyes, and throat. So it makes sense we’d want...
CDC needs to communicate guidance for vaccinated people says Schaffner
Mar. 8, 2021—Experts say it’s understandable that the CDC has been cautious when many scientific questions remain, including how long vaccine-induced immunity lasts, and whether vaccinated people are still able to transmit the virus to others. The answers are important when advising someone what kind of risk they face in different settings, and how much of a...
Talbot discusses CA COVID-19 vaccine distribution practices
Mar. 8, 2021—Months into a vaccine rollout that has been stymied by shortages and marred by persistent inequities, California is now going all in on a new strategy: flooding those communities hardest hit by COVID-19 with doses. Dr. Helen Keipp Talbot of Vanderbilt University, a member of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, said it will...
McPheeters comments on accelerated COVID-19 vaccine timeline
Mar. 8, 2021—As vaccine experts welcomed President Joe Biden’s accelerated timeline for distribution, they offered some caution about whether the companies can reach their promised doses and delivery dates. While there’s never 100% certainty in manufacturing, pharmaceutical manufacturing is especially finicky and demanding. To get there, officials plan on 400 million doses from Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech, enough to vaccinate 200 million people,...
Vanderbilt MPH student tackles COVID-19 infection prevention
Mar. 6, 2021—Milner Staub, M.D. (M.P.H. ’21) worked with the VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System’s Infection Prevention Team to combat the COVID crisis. She had the responsibility of developing comprehensive COVID 19 prevention algorithms and understanding the system’s supply chains for medical equipment.
Recent Grad Justin Banerdt’s professional journey in improving care for COVID-19 in low income areas
Mar. 6, 2021—Recent alumnus, Justin Banerdt ’20, who graduated from the Global Health track of Vanderbilt’s M.P.H. program, reflected on his culminating practicum experiences and professional outlooks in a recent interview.
Study to evaluate effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in preventing hospitalization
Mar. 6, 2021—As the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved adding a third COVID-19 vaccine to the rollout, a multicenter study led by Vanderbilt University Medical Center will evaluate how effective the vaccines are in preventing hospitalization from COVID-19. The study is led by Vanderbilt MPH Program graduate Wesley Self, M.D., M.P.H., and current M.P.H. student Bo...