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Facebook Posts Big Drivers in Vaccine Resistance, Study Finds

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As Americans await their COVID-19 shot, a new study of a different vaccine shows the power of Facebook posts in fueling “anti-vax” resistance to immunization. The study included more than 10 years of public Facebook posts on the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. It found that nearly 40% of 6,500 HPV vaccine-related posts from 2006 to 2016 amplified a perceived risk. The data suggest the posts had momentum over time. “We should not assume that only the disease is perceived as a risk, but when research supports it, that medical treatments and interventions might unfortunately also be perceived as risks,” said Monique Luisi, an assistant professor at the University of Missouri School of Journalism, in Columbia. “It’s more likely that people are going to see things on social media, particularly on Facebook, that are not only negative about the HPV vaccine, but will also suggest the HPV vaccine could be harmful. It amplifies the fear that people may have about the vaccine, and we see that posts that amplify fear are more likely to trend than those that don’t,” she said in a school news release Luisi said the findings could shed light on the COVID-19 vaccine rollout and distribution. During the rollout, people will likely see a lot of negative information and that negative information will be what trends on social media, she said. “If…  read on >  read on >

Biden Says He Will Release All Vaccine Doses After Taking Office

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President-elect Joe Biden plans to release nearly all available doses of COVID-19 vaccine when he takes office, reversing the Trump administration’s strategy of holding back half the supply to ensure second doses are available. The potentially risky move is meant to boost a nationwide COVID-19 vaccination program that has gotten off to a slow start, with only about 5.9 million doses administered out of 29.4 million distributed, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “The President-elect believes we must accelerate distribution of the vaccine while continuing to ensure the Americans who need it most get it as soon as possible,” T.J. Ducklo, a spokesperson for Biden’s transition, told CNN. Biden “will share additional details next week on how his administration will begin releasing available doses when he assumes office on January 20th,” Ducklo added. One infectious diseases expert noted that supply is not the only issue hampering the vaccine rollout. “I do think it is important to get all of those out as fast as possible so we can accelerate the process of vaccination,” said Dr. Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, in Baltimore. “However, it’s not just an issue of doses, it’s about turning those doses into actual vaccinations, so we do still need more support at the state level to actually implement vaccination programs.…  read on >  read on >

Allergists’ Group Offers Guidelines on COVID-19 Vaccines

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A task force of allergists and immunologists recommends those administering the COVID-19 vaccine ask patients some key questions beforehand. While reactions to vaccines are extremely rare, the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) said anyone being vaccinated should be asked if they have a history of a severe allergic reaction to an injectable medication. If the answer is yes, the individual should be referred to a board-certified allergist for evaluation before getting the COVID-19 vaccination, ACAAI said in a news release. The academy also said COVID-19 vaccines should be given in a health care facility where an allergic reaction can be treated. Patients must be monitored for at least 15 to 30 minutes after injection for any adverse reaction. COVID-19 vaccines should not be given to people with a known history of severe allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, if you have a severe allergic reaction after the first shot, you should not get the second shot. Data regarding risk in individuals with a history of allergic reactions is very limited and evolving, according to ACAAI. Patients and doctors should balance the risks and benefits of vaccination. People with allergies to medications, foods, inhalants, insects and latex are probably no more likely than others to have an allergic reaction to COVID-19…  read on >  read on >

Biden Says He Will Release All Vaccine Doses After Taking Office

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President-elect Joe Biden plans to release nearly all available doses of COVID-19 vaccine when he takes office, reversing the Trump administration’s strategy of holding back half the supply to ensure second doses are available. The potentially risky move is meant to boost a nationwide COVID-19 vaccination program that has gotten off to a slow start, with only about 5.9 million doses administered out of 29.4 million distributed, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “The President-elect believes we must accelerate distribution of the vaccine while continuing to ensure the Americans who need it most get it as soon as possible,” T.J. Ducklo, a spokesperson for Biden’s transition, told CNN. Biden “will share additional details next week on how his administration will begin releasing available doses when he assumes office on January 20th,” Ducklo added. One infectious diseases expert noted that supply is not the only issue hampering the vaccine rollout. “I do think it is important to get all of those out as fast as possible so we can accelerate the process of vaccination,” said Dr. Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, in Baltimore. “However, it’s not just an issue of doses, it’s about turning those doses into actual vaccinations, so we do still need more support at the state level to actually implement vaccination programs.…  read on >  read on >

Allergists’ Group Offers Guidelines on COVID-19 Vaccines

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A task force of allergists and immunologists recommends those administering the COVID-19 vaccine ask patients some key questions beforehand. While reactions to vaccines are extremely rare, the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) said anyone being vaccinated should be asked if they have a history of a severe allergic reaction to an injectable medication. If the answer is yes, the individual should be referred to a board-certified allergist for evaluation before getting the COVID-19 vaccination, ACAAI said in a news release. The academy also said COVID-19 vaccines should be given in a health care facility where an allergic reaction can be treated. Patients must be monitored for at least 15 to 30 minutes after injection for any adverse reaction. COVID-19 vaccines should not be given to people with a known history of severe allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, if you have a severe allergic reaction after the first shot, you should not get the second shot. Data regarding risk in individuals with a history of allergic reactions is very limited and evolving, according to ACAAI. Patients and doctors should balance the risks and benefits of vaccination. People with allergies to medications, foods, inhalants, insects and latex are probably no more likely than others to have an allergic reaction to COVID-19…  read on >  read on >

Mediterranean Diet Could Help Stop Prostate Cancer’s Spread

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Food as medicine: New research suggests that a healthy Mediterranean diet might lower the risk of prostate cancer progressing to a more advanced state. The relative lack of saturated fat in these diets might be a major reason why. The Mediterranean diet is “known for its lower consumption of saturated fats,” said Dr. Phillip Vigneri, a prostate cancer specialist unconnected to the new study. He heads the department of radiation medicine at Staten Island University Hospital in New York City. For example, “it has been known for some time that while Japan has a similar incidence of prostate cancer, it has a lower metastatic rate and mortality,” Vigneri pointed out. And while it’s not possible to prove clear cause and effect, “this difference is usually attributed to a [Japanese] diet that is lower in fat,” he said. The new study involved 410 prostate cancer patients and was led by Dr. Justin Gregg, assistant professor of urology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, in Houston. Because most prostate cancer cases are low-risk and have favorable outcomes, many men do not need immediate treatment and opt for “active surveillance.” That was the case for the participants in this study. The Houston team found that those who stuck to meals rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, cereals and fish — hallmarks of a Mediterranean diet —…  read on >  read on >

Coping With Anxiety, Fear During a Rocky Presidential Transition

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The nation is in a state of shock and outrage over Wednesday’s riotous siege on the U.S. Capitol Building by supporters of President Donald Trump, and there could be still worse to come before the Jan. 20 inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. So, taking care of your mental and physical health will be important in the coming days of trial and tribulation in the United States, American Psychiatric Association President Dr. Jeffrey Geller said Thursday. That’s even more crucial if you’re a parent, Geller added. “You want to reassure the child that they are safe, that home is safe and, far more important, that you’re taking care of yourself,” Geller said. “It’s very hard to take care of your child if you’re not taking care of yourself.” People can help ease their personal stress by sticking to a normal daily routine, sleeping well, staying hydrated, eating healthy, exercising and participating in self-calming techniques like meditation or yoga, Geller said. Even though they seem tempting in times of stress, you should try to avoid the use of alcohol, drugs or tobacco, Geller added. Instead, have conversations with the people in your life and limit your use of social media, he suggested. “You want to reach out to the people with whom you have a close relationship,” Geller said. “Better a few people with a close relationship…  read on >  read on >

AHA News: Trendy Microgreens Offer Flavor You Can Grow at Home

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FRIDAY, Jan. 8, 2021 (American Heart Association News) — As one of the trendiest foods in the produce aisle, microgreens are known for adding a splash of color to a dish, a spicy kick to a salad – and a chunk of change to a grocery bill. Known for a variety of flavors, textures and aromas, microgreens originated as a product of the California restaurant scene in the 1980s. Smaller than baby greens, they are harvested just one to two weeks after germination – typically later than sprouts, which don’t have leaves. They usually are 1 to 3 inches tall and often are sold with the stems attached. Most microgreens are rich in concentrated vitamins and antioxidants. A 2012 study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry looked at 25 commercially available microgreens and found they contained nutrient levels up to 40 times higher than more mature leaves. Other research also has shown microgreens contain a wider variety of antioxidants and micronutrients called polyphenols. Nutrient content aside, microgreens are not a replacement for leafy and other greens in one’s diet, said Christopher Gardner, director of nutrition studies at the Stanford Prevention Research Center in California. Instead, they serve a better purpose as a way to add variety to a regular salad or other healthy meal. According to the federal dietary guidelines, an adult consuming…  read on >  read on >

Mediterranean Diet Could Help Stop Prostate Cancer’s Spread

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Food as medicine: New research suggests that a healthy Mediterranean diet might lower the risk of prostate cancer progressing to a more advanced state. The relative lack of saturated fat in these diets might be a major reason why. The Mediterranean diet is “known for its lower consumption of saturated fats,” said Dr. Phillip Vigneri, a prostate cancer specialist unconnected to the new study. He heads the department of radiation medicine at Staten Island University Hospital in New York City. For example, “it has been known for some time that while Japan has a similar incidence of prostate cancer, it has a lower metastatic rate and mortality,” Vigneri pointed out. And while it’s not possible to prove clear cause and effect, “this difference is usually attributed to a [Japanese] diet that is lower in fat,” he said. The new study involved 410 prostate cancer patients and was led by Dr. Justin Gregg, assistant professor of urology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, in Houston. Because most prostate cancer cases are low-risk and have favorable outcomes, many men do not need immediate treatment and opt for “active surveillance.” That was the case for the participants in this study. The Houston team found that those who stuck to meals rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, cereals and fish — hallmarks of a Mediterranean diet —…  read on >  read on >

Coping With Anxiety, Fear During a Rocky Presidential Transition

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The nation is in a state of shock and outrage over Wednesday’s riotous siege on the U.S. Capitol Building by supporters of President Donald Trump, and there could be still worse to come before the Jan. 20 inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. So, taking care of your mental and physical health will be important in the coming days of trial and tribulation in the United States, American Psychiatric Association President Dr. Jeffrey Geller said Thursday. That’s even more crucial if you’re a parent, Geller added. “You want to reassure the child that they are safe, that home is safe and, far more important, that you’re taking care of yourself,” Geller said. “It’s very hard to take care of your child if you’re not taking care of yourself.” People can help ease their personal stress by sticking to a normal daily routine, sleeping well, staying hydrated, eating healthy, exercising and participating in self-calming techniques like meditation or yoga, Geller said. Even though they seem tempting in times of stress, you should try to avoid the use of alcohol, drugs or tobacco, Geller added. Instead, have conversations with the people in your life and limit your use of social media, he suggested. “You want to reach out to the people with whom you have a close relationship,” Geller said. “Better a few people with a close relationship…  read on >  read on >