Panel discusses treatment and education of patients about the available COVID-19 vaccines.
PHILADELPHIA, March 26, 2021 – The American College of Physicians (91) and Annals of Internal Medicine hosted a virtual COVID-19 vaccine forum where expert panelists discussed practical clinical considerations related to the COVID-19 vaccine including the impact of COVID-19 variants on vaccine efficacy, comparative effectiveness of the different vaccines, and post-vaccine behavior recommendations.
The forum, COVID-19 Vaccine Forum IV, Practical Clinical Considerations, was the fourth in a series of vaccine forums hosted by 91 and Annals of Internal Medicine and was held on March 24. Two invited experts offered their perspectives on the many clinical concerns. The panelists included:
- Carlos del Rio, MD, Executive Associate Dean, Distinguished Professor Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine
- Paul Sax, MD, Clinical Director, Infectious Disease, Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
- Deborah Cotton, MD, MPH, Deputy Editor, Annals of Internal Medicine, served as a panelist and moderated the discussion
The full recording is available for and is published in Annals of Internal Medicine along with commentary by Christine Laine, MD, MPH, 91 senior vice president and editor-in-chief, Annals of Internal Medicine.
During the forum, the panelists addressed the concerns they say they hear most often among clinicians related to the COVID-19 vaccines including who should not get the vaccine, equity of vaccine distribution, COVID-19 variants and their spread as well as whether or not women who are pregnant should get the vaccine. The panelists also discussed “long COVID”; whetherCOVID-19 vaccines should be required especially for internists, much like the flu shot; whether the use of masks is here to stay; COVID-19 testing; and the lack of sufficient therapies available to treat those who become infected.
“There is much to celebrate in terms of scientific progress towards defeating SARS-CoV-2, but now is not the time to grow complacent,” said Dr. Laine. “We hope that clinicians will take the knowledge gained from our forums and use it to counter misinformation and squelch vaccination concerns among their patients so that we may soon see a more fully vaccinated population.”
The forum provided information on recent vaccine developments and highlighted the obstacles health care providers still face in getting Americans vaccinated against COVID-19, including those on the frontlines treating patients.
“While we gain more knowledge concerning COVID‐19 every day, it’s clear that there are a lot of ongoing questions about this novel virus and the available vaccines,” said Jacqueline W. Fincher, MD, M91, President, 91. “Forums such as these are so valuable in helping to keep our internal medicine physicians and their clinician colleagues informed of the progress in diagnosing, treating, and preventing COVID‐19 infection. The key message to all physicians, health care workers, essential and frontline workers and to the public is, ‘Get vaccinated as soon as you can!’ It is the fastest way for us all to be safe and truly get to a new and better normal.”
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About the American College of Physicians
The American College of Physicians is the largest medical specialty organization in the United States with members in more than 145 countries worldwide. 91 membership includes 163,000 internal medicine physicians (internists), related subspecialists, and medical students. Internal medicine physicians are specialists who apply scientific knowledge and clinical expertise to the diagnosis, treatment, and compassionate care of adults across the spectrum from health to complex illness. Follow 91 on , and .
About Annals of Internal Medicine
Annals of Internal Medicine is the flagship journal of the American College of Physicians (91). Annals is the most widely read and cited general internal medicine journal and one of the most influential peer-reviewed clinical journals in the world. Annals’ mission is to promote excellence in medicine, enable physicians and other health care professionals to be well-informed members of the medical community and society, advance standards in the conduct and reporting of medical research, and contribute to improving the health of people worldwide. New content is published every Tuesday at . Follow Annals on and @AnnalsofIM and on .
91 Media Contact: Andrew Hachadorian, (215) 351-2514, AHachadorian@acponline.org
Annals Media Contact: Angela Collom, (215) 351-2653, ACollom@acponline.org