LRN PM Newscall August 17

Since the approval of a booster dose for the immunocompromised now there’s discussion of a third shot for the general public who are fully vaccinated. Brooke Thorington has more…

Cut 1 (32) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Ochsner encourages people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised to get their third COVID vaccine shot. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 2 (32)…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

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Days after the FDA approved a third COVID vaccine booster shot for the immunocompromised, the Biden Administration is reportedly developing a plan for a third shot for those who were fully vaccinated, eight months ago or longer. Infectious Disease Specialist for LSU Health New Orleans Dr. Fred Lopez says it remains to be seen who will be prioritized..

Cut 3 (06) “…first.” 

The immunocompromised makeup about three percent of the population, individuals who are being treated for cancer and organ transplant patients who take certain medications. Lopez says he anticipates the booster shot rollout will mirror the original rollout of healthcare workers and nursing home residents.

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Lopez says those chronic conditions include heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, thyroid disease, and obesity.

Approximately four months ago Pfizer lobbied for a third booster shot and their efforts were denied by the FDA. Lopez says amidst the fourth surge it appears the mindset amongst government officials has done a 180.

Cut 5 (11) “…last dose.”

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Critical hospital personnel who have children under the age of 12 can receive childcare subsidies thanks to a new Department of Education program.

Deputy Assistant Superintendent for Early Childhood Operations Lisa Brochard says this program could help get more hospital workers back to understaffed facilities…

Cut 6 (09) “…Louisiana”

This subsidy program applies to a range of hospital personnel working in Tier 1 or 2 hospitals. Brochard says all of those workers are desperately needed in our near-capacity hospitals.

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Brochard says the subsidies take a lot of forms including having childcare workers watch the night staff’s kids. She says it should help make childcare much more accessible for those workers.

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Applications will be accepted through October 31st. Upon approval, the subsidy will be good for 12 months.

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The fourth COVID-19 surge is bringing down the state’s economy. That’s according to Gulf Coast Bank and Trust president Guy Williams who says with the state reporting thousands of new cases every day, it’s keeping many people from going to work…

Cut 9 (08) “…enough workers”

Today, the Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival, the Shrimp and Petroleum Festival in Morgan City, and the Beignet Fest in New Orleans City Park announced they had to cancel their upcoming events. Williams says they add to the growing list of cancellations…

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Louisiana ranks second to Florida for daily average cases. Williams says that’s a big concern for our tourism-dependent economy…

Cut  11 (08) “…neighboring states.”  

Williams says health officials have told him this fourth surge could last another seven weeks.

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Ochsner is now administering third COVID vaccine shots to Moderna and Pfizer patients who are moderate to severely immunocompromised.

Pharmacy and Population Health Director Matthew Malachowski says you can visit their website or call 844-888-2772 to set up an appointment for your third shot.

Cut 12 (11) “…dose.” 

Patients should wait at least 28 days after receiving their second dose to get a third dose. Johnson and Johnson vaccine recipients currently are not eligible.

Dr. Katherine Baumgarten says there is evidence suggesting that a disproportionate number of vaccine breakthrough hospitalizations are those who are immunocompromised.

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Medical Director of Hospital Quality Dr. Sandra Kemmerly says not everyone who is technically immunocompromised currently qualifies for the third shot.

Cut 14 (12) “…supression.”

Those who are receiving active cancer treatment received an organ transplant, received a stem cell transplant within the last two years, have advanced or untreated HIV, or have a moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency.