Effect of Physician-Delivered COVID-19 Public Health Messages and Messages Acknowledging Racial Inequity on Black and White Adults’ Knowledge, Beliefs, and Practices Related to COVID-19 Abstract IMPORTANCE Social distancing is critical to the control of COVID-19, which has disproportionately affected the Black community. Physician-delivered messages may increase adherence to these behaviors. OBJECTIVES To determine whether messages delivered by physicians improve COVID-19 knowledge and preventive behaviors and to assess the differential effectiveness of messages tailored to the Black community. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This randomized clinical trial of self-identified White and Black adults with less than a college education was conducted from August 7 to September 6, 2020. Of 44 743 volunteers screened, 30 174 ... July 19, 2021 COVID19, Patient Care, Public Health Clinical Trial, COVID-19, Inequity, Public Health 0 0 Comment Read More »
Public Health Update on COVID-19 Vaccine and PREP/PEP Treatments to Prevent HIV The CDC recommends that individuals who are HIV positive receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Those who are negative but taking the drug Truvada as part of a PREP or PEP HIV prevention strategy should also receive the COVID-19 vaccine. There is no known negative interaction with any of the three vaccines and HIV medications. This information comes from individuals who were taking Truvada during the vaccines’ trials, as well as those vaccinated since authorization. The use of the HIV medication Truvada as a form of Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) or Post-exposure prophylaxis ... June 28, 2021 COVID19, Public Health HIV, Vaccine 0 0 Comment Read More »
Community Physicians Critical to Next Phase of COVID-19 Vaccination Effort Many people have already taken advantage of the availability of COVID-19 vaccine at large community sites. However, some patients have expressed the desire to wait until their own doctor can provide the vaccine and discuss concerns they have about the vaccine. Surveys have shown that people trust their own doctor to help them to make important decisions about their health. Physicians can now easily enroll as a COVID-19 vaccine provider and offer the vaccination in their own office. Many physicians and their office staff are already promoting COVID-19 vaccination as ... June 28, 2021 COVID19, Public Health Vaccine 0 0 Comment Read More »
Success in Vaccinating County Residents and Low COVID-19 Rates Allow New, More Focused Local Order Today, County Health Officer, Dr. Sara Cody, issued a new, more focused local Health Order related to COVID-19. County officials announced that Santa Clara County has made excellent progress in the fight against COVID-19. Case rates have declined to some of their lowest levels at any point in the pandemic, and test positivity rates have hit an all-time low. The county’s vaccination rates are also among the very highest in the nation, as more than 75% of county residents 16 and older have received at least one dose of vaccine. On ... May 18, 2021 COVID19, Public Health COVID-19, Pandemic, Vaccine 0 0 Comment Read More »
Santa Clara County - One million first dose vaccines administered! COVID-19 Updates for Santa Clara County Last week, Santa Clara County reached a significant milestone: one million people who live in Santa Clara County have now received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Thousands of additional vaccine appointments across multiple sites are available this week. All individuals age 16 and older who live, work, or attend school in Santa Clara County are eligible and encouraged to sign up for a vaccination appointment at sccFreeVax.org. New appointments are added on a daily basis based on available supply, and the County Health System is now scheduling first dose appointments up ... April 26, 2021 COVID19, Public Health COVID-19, Vaccine 0 0 Comment Read More »