Vaccines
Influenza, also known as the flu, has been a significant public health concern for centuries. This contagious respiratory illness can lead to severe complications, especially in vulnerable populations. Fortunately, vaccines have become a vital tool in preventing the flu and mitigating its impact. Let’s explore the fascinating history of the flu vaccine and its evolution … Read more
We’re fast approaching the 2023 flu season. No one likes being laid-up and feeling the discomfort the flu brings, not to mention missing out on celebrating Thanksgiving and other seasonal events at the end of the year because you are contagious and too sick to travel. We recently sat down with Brandon J. Essink, MD, … Read more
Featuring Commentary by Brandon Essink, MD, CPI, Chief Physician Officer at Velocity Monkeypox has made headlines lately as a new outbreak is steadily growing in the United States. In this article we’ll answer common questions about the virus and the vaccine intended to prevent infection with the help of Brandon Essink, MD, CPI, Velocity’s Physician … Read more
About Cytomegalovirus (CMV) You might not have heard of cytomegalovirus (pronounced site-oh-mega-low-virus), or CMV, but you’ve probably been infected with it. Over half of adults have been infected with CMV by age 40. While most CMV infections cause no symptoms, when a baby is born with a cytomegalovirus infection, known as congenital CMV, it can … Read more
About the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a member of the herpes virus family, is the most common cause of infectious mononucleosis (IM), generally known as mono. Sometimes referred to as the kissing disease, mononucleosis spreads easily through saliva and occurs primarily in adolescents and young adults. Most people will be infected with EBV … Read more
I Got the COVID Vaccine: Should I Worry About the Delta Variant of Coronavirus? COVID-19 is still dominating headlines, but instead of focusing on the vaccination efforts around the globe, a relatively new variant of COVID-19, B.1.617.2, known as the Delta variant, is commanding media attention. Because of its highly contagious nature, some states, like … Read more
Respiratory syncytial (sin-sish-ul) virus, or RSV (also known as human orthopneumovirus), is a virus that affects the lungs and airways. Even if you haven’t heard of RSV, you’ve likely been infected with it. Almost 90% of children are infected with RSV before they are two years old. RSV is the leading cause of pneumonia and … Read more
COVID-19 is still dominating media headlines, and for good reason. Several vaccines have been granted Emergency Use Authorization, but new case and death rates have reached record highs in the U.S. recently. One update is drawing immense attention, concern, and confusion — new variants of COVID-19 have recently emerged. Strain, variant, or mutation? SARS-CoV-2 (the … Read more
With the emergency use authorization (EUA) of COVID-19 vaccines, many are wondering — and speculating about — what side effects may occur. Rumors have swirled about everything from fatigue and anaphylaxis (severe allergic reactions), to Bell’s palsy (temporary facial paralysis) and effects on fertility. The side effects of authorized COVID-19 vaccines are likely to be … Read more
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, you’ve likely heard news outlets and government officials refer to ‘the vaccine,’ or imply that scientists are all working on the same vaccine. In truth, many companies are developing many different COVID-19 vaccines. The goal is to identify the safest, most effective way to stop COVID-19. This may actually require several … Read more