Health WATCH
July 2021
SIU Family Residency Program kicks off at AMH
2 • Thursday, July 22, 2021 • Health Watch
IN THIS ISSUE
2........HSHS plans Aug.10 blood drive 3........COVER STORY: SIU Family Residency Program kicks off at AMH 3 ........First AMH bariatrics patient ‘feels great’ 4........Chronic stress can wreak havoc on your mind and body 5........Pritzker signs bill expanding Medicaid services 5........AMH sets Aug. 5 blood drive 6........Vaccines can help stem tide of variants 6........HSHS lessens COVID-19 restrictions 7........AM auxiliary sets fundraiser 7........COVID-19 vaccine and your child
HSHS plans Aug. 10 blood drive in O’Fallon For Health Watch
O’FALLON — The next blood drive hosted by HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital and Impact Life will be on Tuesday, Aug. 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the SLU Conference Room on the fourth floor of the O’Fallon Health Center at 3 St. Elizabeth’s Blvd., O’Fallon, Illinois. Anyone attending the drive should park near the hospital’s Outpatient entrance and enter the building using the Outpatient entrance, which is noted with a blue “Outpatient” sign to be screened. Additional directional signs will be posted to lead guests to the conference room. All donors MUST make an appointment, no walk-ins. To schedule a donation time, call 800-747-5401 or log on to www.bloodcenter.org. All donors will also be required to wear a
mask and present a photo ID. ImpactLife has added a weekly drawing for one of three $500 electronic gift cards to reward those who step up to support this critical summer need. Everyone who registers at an ImpactLife Donor Center or mobile blood drive will also receive a voucher to redeem for a $10 electronic gift card of choice of Amazon.com, Dunkin’ Donuts, Lowe’s, Target, Starbucks or Walmart. A blood donor can give every eight weeks, or up to six times a year. All person’s age 17 and up (or 16 with a signed parental permission form) who weigh at least 110 lbs. and are in general good health meet the basic eligibility requirements for blood donation. A full list of donor eligibility guidelines may be found at http://www. bloodcenter.org/donate-blood/ donating-blood/donor-eligibility.aspx.
healthwatch HEALTH WATCH PUBLISHER Denise VonderHaar dvonderhaar@edwpub.net (618) 463-2500 — HEALTH WATCH ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Carole Fredeking carole.fredeking@hearst.com (618) 463-2500 —
HEALTH WATCH EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jill Moon jill.moon@hearst.com (618) 208-6448 — HEALTH WATCH COORDINATOR Regina Harbison rharbison@thetelegraph.com (618) 208-6433 —
Health Watch • Thursday, July 22, 2021 • 3
First AMH bariatrics patient ‘feels great’ For Health Watch
ALTON — Paul Waters likes to go to auctions and thrift stores, anything to get a good deal. Finding the right item at a reduced price feels almost as good how he now feels at a reduced weight. Waters, 70, of Bunker Hill, was the first patient to have surgery as part of Alton Memorial Hospital’s Bariatric Weight Loss program in the fall of 2020. From his high weight of 304, Waters was down to 245 by the spring of 2021 and feeling like a new man. “I just didn’t have the energy anymore,” Waters said. “I debated doing something like this
for a long time, but some of the other things I considered seemed a lot more drastic. But this program was a nice combination of things.” The Bariatrics program involves not only the gastric sleeve surgery performed by general surgeon Dr. Matthew Musielak but also nutritional and behavioral support. “The surgery by Dr. Musielak was fine,” Waters said. “I’ve had a lot of surgeries in my life that were harder than this. It was only a few cuts on my chest and most of my stomach was removed.” The gastric sleeve transforms a normal stomach — a football-sized muscular sac — into a
narrow tube the size and shape of a large banana. “This results in the ability to consume much smaller meals and, more importantly, resets the fat storage set point at a much lower level,” Musielak said. “The surgery changed a lot of things,” Waters said. “For example, I have no desire for soda anymore. I really like the carbonated water a lot, although Naomi (Ward, dietitian at AMH) is working with me about that, too. “It’s changed my taste buds, too,” he said. “I’m still not supposed to have very many carbs. I eat burgers without the bread now, and I don’t even remem-
ber the last time I had a piece of bread. If I ever have fried chicken it’s just one leg, and we hardly go out to a restaurant anymore.” Waters also met with a mental health professional as part of the program, since a significant weight loss journey can be an emotional one. “I would definitely recommend the program at Alton Memorial for anyone who is looking for a way to lose weight,” Waters said. “It’s like a 60-pound weight off your back, and I had to throw away all my old clothes. “It definitely has given me more energy to go to auctions
and the thrift stores,” he said. “I don’t have to park as close now when I go.” For more information about the Bariatrics program at Alton Memorial, call Alton Surgery at 618-479-1617 or visit www. altonmemorialhospital.org/ weightloss. The program does include a phone consultation and several other steps before the surgery, then a strict diet for eight weeks following the surgery, plus continued support with Dr. Musielak and a dietitian. “I feel great,” Waters said. “I’m to the point where I can even skip the sweets about 90 percent of the time.”
SIU Family Residency Program kicks off at AMH By Dylan Suttles For Health Watch
ALTON — The first residents of the SIU School of Medicine’s Alton Family Medicine Residency Program began their threeyear training at Alton Memorial Hospital on July 2. “We are excited to be partnering with Alton Memorial Hospital and Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation (SIHF),” said Rebecca Hoffman, MD, MSPH, of the School of Medicine and director of the residency program. “These organizations have a long and rich history of providing education, care and service to the population of the area.” “Our shared vision for education, and patient and community care allow for many opportunities throughout our service areas.” Six residents for the program were announced. These six were picked from various interviews through the fall and winter of 2020. The residents are:
Dr. Christina Govas — Govas completed her clinical rotations in Chicago after earning her medical degree from Saint James School of Medicine. She is a civil engineer who pursued medicine after volunteering in a mobile medical clinic in South Africa. Dr. Nazanin Kheirkhanan — Raised in Toronto, Cannda, Kheirkhanan earned her medical degree from the Windsor University School of Medicine. Her family and family traditions are most important to her. Dr. Jonathan Klarich — A St. Louis native, Klarich earned his medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine. He has lived in many Caribbean countries and met his fiance, Marina, on the island of Curacao. Dr. Torry Pledger — Pledger was born in Europe, where he lived for many years before moving the United States. He completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology at the University of Maryland and received a Master’s
in Exercise Physiology From Life University before attending Saint James School of Medicine. He was an Exercise Physiologist with a focus on cardiac rehab. Dr. Andrea Ramos Richards, MPH — Born in Lima, Peru, Richards earned her medical degree at the Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, Louisiana before moving to St. Louis. As a member of the Peruvian American Medical Society, she has gone to Peru for medical mission trips to underserved areas in her home country. Dr. Tyler Wright — Raised in Northern California, Wright majored in Biology/Pre-Med at California State Monetery Bay and went to University of Medicine and Health Sciences for medical school. He’s worked in the California county jail system providing mental health and medical services to inmates. Dave Braasch, president of Alton Memorial Hospital, reflected on the several years of plan-
ning for the program and thanked everyone for their diligence and patience. “Today is a momentous day in the history of the hospital,” Braasch said. “I really want to thank Dr. Hoffman for her persistence and commitment throughout what has ultimately been a seven-year journey, particularly in the midst of a pandemic. It’s a great day for our community as well, as we are training these physicians in Family Medicine.” Larry McCulley, president and CEO of SIHF, noted its partnership with BJC and Alton Memorial goes back more than 20 years to its first health center in Madison County. “Today expands our partnership, through a new Family Medicine Residency with SIU School of Medicine, in developing tomorrow’s work force,” he said. “It is a pleasure to welcome the inaugural six residents into our SIHF Healthcare Alton Health
Center as we look forward to a successful residency program for many years to come.” Dr. Jerry Kruse, MSPH, dean and provost of SIU School of Medicine, marveled at the new space for the program and thanked everyone for the collaboration. “Effective health care always involves collaboration – between the patient and the physician, the medical team in the clinic, and the staff behind the scenes,” he said. “We’re fortunate to be a part of this team effort. We are very grateful for all the groundwork you have done to get the right people and pieces in place to expand SIU Medicine’s outreach. “You are helping our young residents become more confident, compassionate and highly skilled clinicians. And they in turn can practice medicine that will benefit the community’s residents of all ages – which is why SIU School of Medicine was founded.”
4 • Thursday, July 22, 2021 • Health Watch
Chronic stress can wreak havoc on your mind and body By Dana Sparks Mayo Clinic News Network
Your body is hard-wired to react to stress in ways meant to protect you against threats from predators and other aggressors. Such threats are rare today, but that doesn’t mean that life is free of stress. On the contrary, you likely face many demands each day, such as taking on a huge workload, paying the bills and taking care of your family. Your body treats these so-called minor hassles as threats. As a result, you may feel as if you’re constantly under attack. But you can fight back. You don’t have to let stress control your life. Understanding the natural stress response When you encounter a perceived threat — such as a large dog barking at you during your morning walk — your hypothalamus, a tiny region at your brain’s base, sets off an alarm system in your body. Through a combination
of nerve and hormonal signals, this system prompts your adrenal glands, located atop your kidneys, to release a surge of hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol. Adrenaline increases your heart rate, elevates your blood pressure and boosts energy supplies. Cortisol, the primary stress hormone, increases sugars (glucose) in the bloodstream, enhances your brain’s use of glucose and increases the availability of substances that repair tissues. Cortisol also curbs functions that would be nonessential or harmful in a fight-or-flight situation. It alters immune system responses and suppresses the digestive system, the reproductive system and growth processes. This complex natural alarm system also communicates with the brain regions that control mood, motivation and fear. When the natural stress response goes wild The body’s stress response system is usually self-limiting. Once a perceived
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threat has passed, hormone levels return to normal. As adrenaline and cortisol levels drop, your heart rate and blood pressure return to baseline levels, and other systems resume their regular activities. But when stressors are always present and you constantly feel under attack, that fight-or-flight reaction stays turned on. The long-term activation of the stress response system and the overexposure to cortisol and other stress hormones that follow can disrupt almost all your body’s processes. This puts you at increased risk of many health problems, including: — Anxiety — Depression — Digestive problems — Headaches — Muscle tension and pain — Heart disease, heart attack, high blood pressure and stroke — Sleep problems — Weight gain — Memory and concentration impairment That’s why it’s so important to learn healthy ways to cope with your life stressors. Why you react to life stressors the way you do Your reaction to a potentially stressful event is different from anyone else’s. How you react to your life stressors is affected by such factors as: — Genetics. The genes that control the stress response keep most people on a fairly steady emotional level, only occasionally priming the body for fight or flight. Overactive or underactive stress responses may stem from slight differences in these genes. — Life experiences. Strong stress reactions sometimes can be traced to traumatic events. People who were neglected or abused as children tend to be particularly vulnerable to stress. The same is true of airplane crash survivors, military personnel, police officers and firefighters, and people who have experienced violent crime. You may have some friends who seem relaxed about almost everything and others who react strongly to the slightest stress. Most people react to
life stressors somewhere between those extremes. Learning to react to stress in a healthy way Stressful events are facts of life. And you may not be able to change your current situation. But you can take steps to manage the impact these events have on you. You can learn to identify what causes you stress and how to take care of yourself physically and emotionally in the face of stressful situations. Stress management strategies include: — Eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise and getting plenty of sleep — Practicing relaxation techniques such as yoga, deep breathing, massage or meditation — Keeping a journal and writing about your thoughts or what you’re grateful for in your life — Taking time for hobbies, such as reading, listening to music, or watching your favorite show or movie — Fostering healthy friendships and talking with friends and family — Having a sense of humor and finding ways to include humor and laughter in your life, such as watching funny movies or looking at joke websites — Volunteering in your community — Organizing and prioritizing what you need to accomplish at home and work and removing tasks that aren’t necessary — Seeking professional counseling, which can help you develop specific coping strategies to manage stress Avoid unhealthy ways of managing your stress, such as using alcohol, tobacco, drugs or excess food. If you’re concerned that your use of these products has increased or changed due to stress, talk to your health care provider. The rewards for learning to manage stress can include peace of mind, less stress and anxiety, a better quality of life, improvement in conditions such as high blood pressure, better self-control and focus, and better relationships. And it might even lead to a longer, healthier life.
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Health Watch • Thursday, July 22, 2021 • 5
Pritzker signs bill expanding Medicaid services By Peter Hancock Capitol News Illinois
SPRINGFIELD — Illinois residents who have health coverage through Medicaid now have access to a broad range of services including mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, smoking cessation and dental services. Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday signed Senate Bill 2294, which passed unanimously out of both chambers during the spring legislative session. “… For all the naysayers that always seem to bad-talk the state of Illinois, few other states can say that they have an annual commitment shared across both sides of the aisle to hash out how to make health care access for millions of Illinoisans who rely on Medicaid even better,” Pritzker said. Among many provisions, the bill provides that people covered under Medicaid will continue to be eligible throughout the COVID-19 public health emergency and for up to 12 months after the emergency expires. It also calls on the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to establish a program for implementation of certified community behavioral health clinics by Jan. 1, 2022, and to develop a “comprehensive behavioral health strategy” that is to be submitted to the governor and General Assembly by July 1, 2022. Other provisions include recognizing veteran support specialists as mental health professionals under the state’s Medicaid plan; coverage of both individual and
group tobacco cessation programs; requiring in-patient treatment for anyone experiencing an opioid overdose or withdrawal if it’s determined to be medically necessary; coverage of kidney transplant medications regardless of a patient’s U.S. residency status; and providing a 10 percent increase, through March 31, 2022, in reimbursement rates for supportive living facilities, to be paid for with federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. Tuesday’s bill signing took place at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, a southwest suburb of Chicago, where health care officials were also conducting a blood drive to address a critical shortage that’s being experienced throughout the state and the country. Bill Rhoades, chief medical officer at the hospital, said blood usage nationwide has risen about 10 percent recently, due largely to increased visits to emergency rooms. Joy Squier, regional communications officer for the American Red Cross in Illinois, said the shortage is especially critical as the nation heads into the peak of summer activity. “While summer is traditionally a time when blood donations do decline, this year is particularly challenging as many Americans receive their vaccinations, resume summer activities, and after more than a year of limited interactions, are doing what’s fun and what we all want to do,” she said. “But it’s leading to lower turnout.” She said people can schedule an appointment to donate at a blood bank in their area by visiting the website RedCrossBlood.org, or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS.
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AMH sets Aug. 5 blood drive For Health Watch
ALTON — Alton Memorial Hospital will host an American Red Cross blood drive 12:30-4:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 5, in the cafe meeting rooms. This is the first blood drive at AMH open to the general public since the pandemic began.
To register for a time, call Destanie Garrett at 314-341-6229 or email destanie.garrett@bjc.org. Please include your full name, phone number and email address if leaving a message. You can also register online at https:// www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/ drive-results?zipSponsor=Alton Memorial.
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6 • Thursday, July 22, 2021 • Health Watch
Vaccines can help stem tide of variants By Shephard Price For Health Watch
WOOD RIVER — The Metro East is seeing a rise in COVID19 numbers, as the western side of Illinois continues to see a climbing rate of coronavirus cases. Everything from hospitalizations to positive tests are continuing to climb in the region, as the Delta variant, the new dominant strain in the United States, makes its way into Illinois. In Madison County, 42.63% were fully vaccinated as of July 13, the best for surrounding counties except for Monroe County at 46.48. In Illinois, 49.51% were fully vaccinated as of July 13. “Although our rate is good, it’s not as high as it needs to be to help protect against the continual spread or additional variants,” said Amy Yeager, public information officer for the Madison County Health Department (MCHD). “When you’re unvaccinated you’re a potential host for the virus to develop and mutate,” she said. “You need an unvaccinated host for the virus to mutate. The more people that get vaccinated, the fewer opportunities to mutate and develop
new variants.” While it was announced last week that Pfizer is seeking a booster shot for its two-dose vaccine, Dr. Anthony Fauci said there is no immediate need for a booster shot for fully vaccinated Americans, although that could change in the future. Still, the climbing rate in the Metro East is concerning to officials. “The uptick has happened over the last two weeks,” Yeager said. “It’s a combination of things: various variants, some are moving faster than others, over 42 percent is fully vaccinated but 82 percent are 65 and older. “It’s summer; there’s a misperception that the virus is over and gone and that’s not true,” said Yeager. “The virus is still very much here.” Yeager said she’s heard that in India there are now three mutations off of the Delta variant. Still, vaccinations are so far effective against all known variants in the United States. “That’s the good news,” Yeager said. “Another reason to get vaccinated is to stop the virus from continuing to spread and have a chance to mutate. The faster we put up the wall of prevention, the faster we can slow COVID down, stop it from surviving.”
Tokyo recently issued a state “Misinformation, misconcepof emergency order that shut tion, lack of motivation, lack down spectators for the 2021 of urgency,” Yeager said. “The Olympics, as the Sumone that keeps getting mer Olympic Games overlooked, although have become incredibly the vaccine is readily unpopular in Japan. available, there are peoJust 17.9% of Japan’s ple who can’t get there, population had been maybe a transportation fully vaccinated as of issue, time access issue, July 11. people who are desperThe Lambda variant ate to get the vaccine of COVID-19 is also but can’t because they “The virus currently spreading, work three jobs and is still very don’t have a vehicle. having been the dominant strain in Peru much here” The few hours they’re which has the highest — Amy Yeager not at a job they’re percentage of deaths either sleeping or with in coronavirus cases and most their kids.” deaths per 100,000 people. The Yeager said that some people Lambda variant has not been are just taking their time now. studied enough to say one way “People don’t feel the urgenor the other whether Western cy,” Yeager said. “They think vaccines will work against it, they could probably fight it off, per CNBC. which may or may not be necStill, vaccines like Moderna, essarily accurate. Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson “When we first got the vacare proving more effective than cine, people who were sick or the vaccines made in China. highly cautious or at higher Those vaccines can only do so risk, they beat down the doors much if parts of the population to get the vaccine,” she said. “If remain unvaccinated, however, you’re not part of the urgency, as mutations will continue to you just do it when you want.” occur and that could eventually Another problem is that lead to variants that are vacthere’s an obstacle to undercine-resistant. standing the virus because it Yeager says that there have isn’t something on which we been a number of obstacles to could use one of our five senswider spread vaccination rates. es.
“You can’t see a virus,” she said. “If this were an earthquake, people would understand what they need to do. People can see a fire. If it’s a broken leg, people can feel it, they know what to do. “Something I was taught by a pharmacist friend: If there’s something you can’t do one of the five senses with, it’s more difficult for people to believe it and understand it,” she said. “I understood that statement at the time but I didn’t realize how often I would think about that over the course of my career. People can see all these other dangers, they can’t see a virus.” Yeager said the decision to re-institute a mask mandate, or lockdown procedures, or to take a step back in the reopening process, would come directly from the governor’s office. She said she has heard nothing solid in either direction. Still, she said, if a person feels more comfortable taking precautions, then they should. “The other thing we’ve had people ask is, ‘Can I wear my mask?’” she said. “CDC guidance says you’re not required, but there’s a whole other comfort level and peace with people integrating back, wear it. Know that that’s OK and please be kind to each other.”
HSHS lessens COVID-19 restrictions For Health Watch
HIGHLAND — HSHS Illinois hospitals no longer require COVID-19 testing for scheduled procedures (surgery, GI, cath lab, interventional radiology, respiratory, etc.) on fully vaccinated patients. Fully vaccinated is defined as a procedure date of at least two weeks after a single dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine or two weeks after a second dose of Moderna
or Pfizer vaccine. Patients are required to show proof of vaccination. This proof can be via electronic health record if they received the vaccine at an HSHS facility or brought in day of procedure. Patients are made aware that if they arrive day of procedure without submitting proof or bringing their card, they will either need to be tested or the procedure will be cancelled, depending on the situation.
“As we start to return to normal in our daily lives, we are getting closer to resuming normal operations at our hospitals as well,” said Dr. Gurpreet Mander, chief physician executive at HSHS Illinois. “These updates to our pre-procedure testing policies represent a step in the right direction.” As a reminder, all patients and visitors regardless of vaccination status are required by the CDC to continue masking in hospitals.
HSHS Illinois hospitals include St. Joseph’s Hospital in Highland, St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon, St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur, St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham, St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield, St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese, Holy Family Hospital in Greenville and Good Shepherd Hospital in Shelbyville. For more information, visit www.hshs. org/vaccine.
Health Watch • Thursday, July 22, 2021 • 7
AM auxiliary sets fundraiser For Health Watch
ALTON — The White Cross Auxiliary of Alton Memorial Hospital is having a mail-in fundraiser instead of its usual “Girls on Grapes, Boys on Brew” event which has been postponed for a second year because of the
COVID-19 pandemic. The deadline to donate is Aug. 1. For more information or to make a donation, contact Debbie Gates at 618-971-7277 or Susie Pruetzel at 618-660-7375. Anyone who donates to the WCA will receive a gift certificate to a local business or restaurant. A
donation of $25 to $50 will net a $10 gift certificate; a donation of $60 to $100 will net a $20 gift certificate; a donation of $110 to $150 will net a $30 gift certificate; a donation of $160 to $200 will net a $40 gift certificate; and a donation of more than $200 will net a $50 gift certificate.
Along with Miss Eunice’s Hat Box (the gift shop at AMH), this is the major fundraiser for the auxiliary which uses the proceeds to purchase equipment for Alton Memorial Hospital departments and improve the health of the people and communities the hospital serves.
COVID-19 vaccine and your child By David Pruitt For Health Watch
Now that the COVID-19 vaccine is available for those 12 years and older, you might be wondering if getting your child vaccinated is the right decision. Dr. Ameera Nauman, a pediatrician with OSF Medical Group, talks about why you should have your child vaccinated for COVID-19. Do vaccines prevent the spread of COVID-19? Evidence shows the vaccines are effective with minimum vaccine breakthrough, reducing the chances for the virus to circulate. “Anyone, including children, can transmit a virus to others if they’re infected, even when they have no symptoms,” Nauman said. “Vaccines help break that cycle, protecting your children, family and friends. “That protection branches out to the entire community. The more people protected against the virus reduces the chance for the virus to mutate and become more dangerous.” Should my child get the COVID-19 vaccine? “Yes. While COVID-19 doesn’t seem to affect children as bad as adults, sometimes, they can get very sick and have complications or long-lasting symptoms,” Nauman said. “And children can still face a risk of death, although rarer than with adults.” The vaccines have been shown to reduce the severity of symptoms if vaccine breakthrough does occur. Unofficial reports also indicate that the vaccine can help those suffering from long-lasting symptoms. Long-lasting COVID-19 symptoms may include: Difficulty thinking or concentrating (sometimes referred to as “brain fog”) • Dizziness on standing • Headache • Inflammation of the heart • Loss of smell or taste
• Tiredness or fatigue. In addition, if your child tested positive for COVID19 within the last six months, they may need further evaluation that requires them to see their primary care provider. That exam should take place even if your child experienced mild or no symptoms from their COVID-19 infection. This is because the virus can still damage the heart. “Inflammation of the heart is the main reason your child needs to be stabilized and examined closely before participating in sports,” Nauman said. Will my child have side effects? The vaccines have similar side effects for children and adults. Side effects may include: • Achy muscles or joints • Fatigue • Fever and chills • Headache • Pain at the injection site (upper arm). These side effects are usually temporary and generally clear up within 48 hours. Recently, medical professionals and institutions like the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have noted increased reports of myocarditis. This rare side effect causes inflammation of the heart muscle and the lining around the heart in adolescents and young adults after COVID-19 vaccination. “Generally, this occurs within a week of the second vaccination and mostly in males above 16 years of age,” Nauman said. “The condition is treated in the hospital and resolves within a few days, with patients achieving complete recovery. Although this side effect is rare, it has naturally caused some parents to be concerned.” It is important to note that many children get myocarditis from viruses, including the one this vaccine protects against. The known and potential benefits
of COVID-19 vaccination outweigh the known and potential risks. Therefore, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC continue to recommend COVID-19 vaccination for individuals 12 years of age and older. Am I required to have my child vaccinated? There is no law requiring your child to be vaccinated. However, administrative bodies at independent institutes are free to establish their own guidelines. “For instance, schools and organizations do require different vaccinations, such as those for diphtheria or whooping cough. Your child’s school might require COVID-19 vaccination for in-person learning,” Nauman said. “Different colleges have already taken that step. You’ll need to talk to your school board and extracurricular organization about specific guidelines.” How to talk about the vaccine? Open communication is essential for building trust. If anyone in your family has doubts, an open dialogue weighing the pros and cons can help everyone reach a decision. “Talk about why the vaccine is important and what it means for the future – the possibility of not having to mask in various situations, protection against severe COVID-19 reactions and getting us closer to the long-awaited end of this pandemic,” Nauman said. “If you are unsure but your child wants the vaccine, give your child the opportunity to explain their point of view. “Children have been significantly impacted by this pandemic, disrupting their normal routines, social life and athletics. And we have seen a large impact on the mental health of children due to COVID-19. If you have concerns about the vaccine, do your research and speak with your child’s primary care provider.” According to the CDC, the vaccine has proven to be safe and may help prevent your child from getting seriously sick if they still get COVID-19.
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