Stay informed about COVID-19, variants, and vaccine guidelines

CDC now expands vaccine recommendations to about 28 million children in the United States in this age group and allows providers to begin vaccinating them as soon as possible.

This information is current as of the date of original publication or update but may have changed by the time you read this. Do not use this information for diagnosis or treatment purposes. Before making health decisions, discuss with a qualified healthcare professional.

The recent emergence of the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) further emphasizes the importance of vaccination, boosters, and prevention efforts needed to protect against COVID-19. Early data from South Africa suggest increased transmissibility of the Omicron variant and the potential for immune evasion.

updated November 29,2021

Everyone ages 18 and older should get a booster shot

You may choose which COVID-19 vaccine you receive as a booster shot. Some people may prefer the vaccine type that they originally received, and others may prefer to get a different booster. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots. 

Studies show after getting vaccinated against COVID-19, protection against the virus and the ability to prevent infection with variants may decrease over time.

update-November 2, 2021

Today, CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, M.D., M.P.H., endorsed the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendation that children 5 to 11 years old be vaccinated against COVID-19 with the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine. 

CDC now expands vaccine recommendations to about 28 million children in the United States in this age group and allows providers to begin vaccinating them as soon as possible.

“Together, with science leading the charge, we have taken another important step forward in our nation’s fight against the virus that causes COVID-19. We know millions of parents are eager to get their children vaccinated and with this decision, we now have recommended that about 28 million children receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

As a mom, I encourage parents with questions to talk to their pediatrician, school nurse or local pharmacist to learn more about the vaccine and the importance of getting their children vaccinated.” 

Dr. Rochelle Walensky , CDC Director
  • GIRL STATUE, BUSHES, RED FLOWER
  • SMILING GIRL STATUE
photos by Dr Aletha at Integris Hospital, Oklahoma City, OK

COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots

Updated Oct. 27, 2021 by the CDC

As you’ve learned by now, nothing is ever final when it come to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, although we hope and pray someday it will. For now there is another new recommendation for receiving a “booster dose” of the COVID vaccines; now boosters are approved for all medically eligible recipients who received any one of the 3 approved vaccines.

IF YOU RECEIVED
Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna

You are eligible for a booster if you are:

When to get a booster:
At least 6 months after your second shot

Which booster should you get?
Any of the COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the United States

IF YOU RECEIVED
Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen

You are eligible for a booster if you are:
18 years or older

When to get a booster:
At least 2 months after your shot

Which booster should you get?
Any of the COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the United States

You may choose which COVID-19 vaccine you receive as a booster shot.

Some people may have a preference for the vaccine type that they originally received, and others may prefer to get a different booster. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots.

mRNA vaccines vs traditional vaccines work differently
RNA Vaccines vs Traditional Vaccines

Previous COVID-19 updates

Breaking news – Vaccination in pregnancy

August 11, 2021
  • COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for all people 12 years and older, including people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future.
  • Evidence about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy has been growing. These data suggest that the benefits of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine outweigh any known or potential risks of vaccination during pregnancy.
  • There is currently no evidence that any vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, cause fertility problems in women or men.

Breaking news-COVID-19 Vaccines for Moderately to Severely Immunocompromised People

August 13, 2021

CDC now recommends that people whose immune systems are compromised moderately to severely should receive an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine after the initial 2 doses. Widespread vaccination is a critical tool to help stop the pandemic. Read CDC’s statement.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3

EAT PLANTS FEEL WHOLE-a book review

In this post I review Dr. George E. Guthrie’s book, “Eat Plants Feel Whole,” where he highlights the transformative power of a whole-food, plant-based diet in combating chronic diseases. Dr. Guthrie, a renowned family physician, emphasizes the addictive nature of processed foods and advocates for a shift towards plant-powered nutrition to improve overall health and vitality.

This information is current as of the date of original publication or update but may have changed by the time you read this. Do not use this information for diagnosis or treatment purposes. Before making health decisions, discuss with a qualified healthcare professional.

EAT PLANTS FEEL WHOLE

Harness the healing power of plants and transform your health

By George E. Guthrie, MD, MPD, CDE

Disclaimer: This review is not necessarily an endorsement or recommendation unless otherwise stated.

If you think a whole-food, plant-based diet is boring, bland, expensive, or difficult, you should read this book. The author, George Guthrie, M.D. a Family Physician, pursued extensive education in nutrition and lifestyle medicine.

Dr. Guthrie developed several lifestyle-change programs, including the Complete Health Improvement Project (CHIP), the Wellspring Diabetes Program, and AdventHealth’s CREATION Health program. He is active in the American College of Lifestyle Medicine having served as president. 

Food can be addicting…some of us eat because it makes us feel better.

Dr. George Guthrie

How “SAD” eating makes us sick

Dr. Guthrie focuses on the major non-infectious diseases-obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease-those that we see daily in family medicine. He explains how evidence shows these are chiefly due to SAD-the Standard American Diet.

Many people struggle with the same issues: mindless snacking, overeating, or consuming whatever is most convenient. Refined foods are designed to stimulate the pleasure centers in our brain and bring us back for more.

Dr. Guthrie

Plants have power to heal

In thorough but easy-to-understand language, he explains the components of nutrition. He starts with the major categories-fats, carbohydrates, and protein. Then he reviews the micronutrients, which are vitamins and minerals.

Dr. Guthrie shows we can get all we need from food. Only in specific situations are supplements necessary for health.

blue berries, strawbeerries, and orange slices-Nutrition Facts
Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; National Institutes of Health; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Food has power to transform health

He offers multiple examples of patients from his practice who transformed their health with this whole-food plant-based approach. (Using care to change details to protect confidentiality.)

By making simple changes in what they ate, they

  • lost weight,
  • lowered their blood pressure, glucose, and cholesterol with less or even no medication, and
  • increased stamina.
This essential companion journal will help you track your journey to feeling whole. 

This short e-cookbook is available to download for free at Dr. Guthrie’s website

Plant-Powered Recipes to Help You Feel Whole

Listen to Dr. Guthrie’s Podcasts at this link.

Eat Plants Feel Whole

The whole-food, plant-based eating plan

The book concludes with a detailed outline of the whole-food, plant-based eating plan, which he emphasizes is not just another version of vegan or vegetarian diets, which are not necessarily healthy. Dr. Guthrie recommends using the 18-day QuickStart Plan.

The book concludes with easy-to-follow recipes. I appreciated that the ingredients are ones that you likely already have at home, or can buy at a regular food store, without the need to seek out a specialty store or buy online.

“PUBLISHER’S NOTE: This book is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional but as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of the author. You are advised and encouraged to consult with your healthcare professional in all matters relating to your health and the health of your family. “

About my review of Eat Plants, Feel Whole

Note: I received a complimentary digital advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This post does contain affiliate links. Thanks.

Even if you don’t have a chronic disease, this diet plan is worth considering as it can prevent high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease.

Before I read this book, I considered my eating habits healthy. From reading Dr. Guthrie’s plan I discovered changes I can easily make for improvement. I believe most of my readers will also.

exploring the HEART of healthy eating

However you choose to do it, eating healthy requires desire, motivation, and a plan. I hope this review gives you some tips for all 3 of these steps.

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2 books stacked next to an apple

Dr Aletha