Recent Posts

Antiviral medications are a method of treating infections that reduces viral load, increases immunity, and reduces symptoms. There are currently three antiviral drugs available to symptomatic adults with confirmed cases of COVID-19—two are oral and one is intravenous.  

Earlier in 2022, the two oral antiviral treatments were given Emergency Use Authorization for treating mild to moderate outpatient cases of COVID-19. These antiviral treatments—Paxlovid and molnupiravir—must be taken within 5 days of symptoms starting and a person must have a confirmed COVID-19 infection to be prescribed. The NIH notes that “Because viral replication may be particularly active early in …

Read More »

On April 13, the Washington State Board of Health (SBOH) voted not to include the COVID-19 vaccine in schools’ immunization requirements. Since 1979, Washington state law has required school children to receive certain vaccines before attending school or day care. The SBOH uses a careful review process before deciding which vaccines are required. Currently vaccines against hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox (varicella) are required for all students. 

The Board worked with immunization stakeholders from public health, schools, childcare, medicine, epidemiology, child advocacy, medical ethics, and families to develop standards for decisions on vaccine mandates. In general, the Board concluded that vaccine requirements for schoolchildren are justified if not having them:  Compromises the state’s obligation to protect public health and safety Means individual decisions jeopardize others’ health  Threatens the …

Read More »

Research Shows That the COVID-19 Vaccine Does Not Impact Pregnancy — But a COVID-19 Infection Might.

According to experts at Johns Hopkins Medicine, no evidence has been found to suggest COVID-19 vaccine affects fertility. In a Boston University study of 2,000 couples examining the effects of COVID-19 on fertility, scientists found that the vaccine has no impact on the ability to conceive. Additionally, scientists found no difference in the likelihood of conception between couples in which either partner …

Read More »
Translate »