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COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL | AUGUST 19, 2021 | 3A Additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine recommended for immunocompromised The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup have all recommended an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine be ad- ministered to people with moderately to severely com- promised immune systems. On Aug. 12, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) adjusted the existing Emergency Use Authoriza- tions (EUA) for the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to allow certain im- munocompromised people to receive a third, additional dose of vaccine. “The country has entered yet another wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the FDA is especially cogni- zant that immunocompro- mised people are particular- ly at risk for severe disease,” said Acting FDA Commis- sioner Janet Woodcock, M.D. “After a thorough re- view of the available data, the FDA determined that this small, vulnerable group may benefit from a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna Vaccines.” For the purposes of this announcement, the FDA decision refers to “additional doses” of vaccine in individ- uals thought not to have an adequate immune response following a primary vaccine series. “Boosters,” or doses ad- ministered to individuals who had adequate immune responses but thought to have a waning response with time, were not the topic of this FDA decision for autho- rization. Under the adjusted EUA guidelines, “immunocom- promised individuals” are defined as solid organ trans- plant recipients or others who have similar reductions in their immune response. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immuni- zation Practices (ACIP) — made up of medical and public health experts who develop recommendations on the use of vaccines in the US — met Aug. 13 to pro- vide further recommenda- tions on the FDA’s decision. During its meeting, the ACIP unanimously voted to adopt the FDA’s adjust- ed EUA that would allow immunocompromised in- dividuals who complete a two-dose mRNA vaccine series (Pfizer or Moderna) to receive an additional dose of an mRNA vaccine. The ACIP also expand- ed the FDA’s definition of “immunocompromised in- dividuals” to include people who: Are undergoing active treatment for solid tumor and hematologic malignan- cies Have received solid-organ transplant and are taking immunosuppressive therapy Have received CAR (chimeric antigen recep- tor)-T-cell or hematopoietic stem cell transplant (within two years of transplantation or are taking immunosup- pression therapy) Have moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (e.g., DiGeorge, Wiskott-Al- drich syndromes) Have advanced or un- treated HIV infection Are undergoing active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids (i.e., ≥20mg prednisone or equivalent per day), alkylating agents, anti- metabolites, transplant-re- lated immunosuppressive drugs, cancer chemothera- peutic agents classified as se- verely immunosuppressive, TNF blockers, and other Dentistry is our profession, people are our focus. Birch Avenue Dental Dentistry is our profession, people are our focus. Birch Avenue Dental biologic agents that are im- munosuppressive or immu- nomodulatory The full list of con- ditions can be found at www.cdc.gov/coronavi- rus/2019-ncov/vaccines/ recommendations/immuno. html. Following its meeting, ACIP sent its recommen- dations to CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH who signed and en- dorsed the recommenda- tions later that day. “This official CDC recom- mendation — which follows FDA’s decision to amend the emergency use authori- zations of the vaccines — is an important step in en- suring everyone, including those most vulnerable to COVID-19, can get as much protection as possible from COVID-19 vaccination,” said Director Walensky in an Aug. 13 media statement. Following Director Wal- ensky and the CDC’s de- cision, the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup convened to discuss implications of the adjusted EUA in Oregon. The Western States Sci- entific Safety Review Work- group — the group of nationally acclaimed immu- nizations and public health scientists independently reviewing the safety and ef- ficacy of all FDA authorized COVID-19 vaccines for Cal- ifornia, Nevada, Oregon and Washington — endorsed the FDA and CDC recommen- dations as well. “To provide maximal pro- tection to this vulnerable population, the Workgroup reiterates its recommenda- tion that all persons 12 years and older, especially those with moderate to severe im- munosuppression and those who are in close contact with them, receive an initial complete series of an autho- rized COVID-19 vaccine,” said the members of the workgroup in an official me- dia statement. “Moreover, persons with moderate to severe immunosuppression who have received a com- plete series should receive an additional dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, based on current limited data on the safety and immunoge- nicity of an additional dose.” According to the FDA’s updated EUA: A third dose of the Pfizer vaccine may be adminis- tered at least 28 days fol- lowing the second dose of a two-dose regimen to immu- nocompromised individuals ages 12 and older. A third dose of the Mod- erna vaccine may be admin- istered at least 28 days fol- lowing the second dose of a two-dose regimen to immu- nocompromised individuals ages 18 and older. The additional shot rec- 1325 Birch Ave. 541-942-2471 • General Dentistry Proud Sponsor of the Summer Reading Program • Implants • Sedation • Financing 1325 Birch Ave. Cottage Grove birchavenuedental.com 541-942-2471 Tammy L. McClung DDS • Park W. McClung DDS 2775 Row River Rd, Cottage Grove 541-942-4415 • bradschevy.com ommendation only applies to individuals who are con- sidered immunocompro- mised per the adjusted EUA language. Under current condi- tions, the CDC and ACIP do not recommend admin- istering additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccines to individuals who are not in- cluded in the immunocom- promised definition. Additional doses rec- ommended by a doctor to people who do not meet the immunocompromised cri- teria for this EUA should be discussed directly with the manufacturer and FDA. Vaccines given accord- ing to the currently recom- mended schedule continue to be highly effective in re- ducing the risk of serious illness from COVID-19. Observational data confirm that currently available vac- cines are effective against new variants, including the Delta variant. People who believe they are eligible for an additional dose of an mRNA vaccine based on the conditions out- lined in the adjusted EUA should talk with their health care provider to learn more. To monitor the safe- ty of additional doses, the Workgroup continues to encourage all recipients of COVID-19 vaccine with access to a smartphone to participate in the v-safe pro- gram. While an additional dose of mRNA vaccine is like- ly to increase protection in moderately to severely im- munocompromised indi- viduals, people who receive a third dose should continue to wear a mask, stay six feet apart from others, and avoid crowds and poorly ventilat- ed indoor spaces. Further recommenda- tions regarding additional doses for immunocompro- mised individuals can be found on the interim clinical recommendations released by the CDC. No need to fear root canals Procrastinating in regard to maintaining teeth and gums can prove harmful. Regular dental checkups and cleanings can reduce discomfort and expose conditions before they become especially problematic. Root canal is one treatment men and women fear when going to the dentist. But root canals are often less painful than the symptoms that require they be performed. A root canal is an endodontic therapy that can treat and save teeth. The American Association of Endodontists says root canal treats infl am- mation or infection in the roots of a tooth. This procedure enables dentists to save a tooth rather than extract it. WebMD explains that, during a root canal, the nerve and pulp of the tooth are removed from the inside. If the tooth’s nerve or pulp cham- ber is damaged, it can eventually break down and bacteria can begin to form within. The most common causes of pulp infl ammation or infection are a cracked or chipped tooth, a deep cavity or fi lling, or another serious injury to the tooth. All of these can allow bacteria to enter the pulp. Debris and bacteria can lead to infec- tion or an abscessed tooth. Abscesses can form at the ends of the tooth roots. Swelling, pain, bone loss, and drainage into the gums may oc- cur if a root canal is not performed. The AAE says that people may avoid root canal treatment because they fear it is too painful. However, with modern technology and anes- thetic medications, the pain that results from root canal is on par with having a cavity fi lled. Damaged tissues in the tooth and the severe toothache that ensues if root canal is not per- formed is generally much more severe than anything that occurs during the procedure. Patients who are worried about discomfort can speak with their dentists about pain management. In addition to anesthetic injections, some dentists specialize in medi- cal sedation that can further calm patients’ nerves during procedures. The American Dental Association says this is what people can expect during a root canal. • The tooth is numbed for comfort. • A thin sheet of latex rubber is placed over the tooth to keep it dry, and an opening is made through the crown of the tooth. • The nerve or pulp is removed. The excavated canal is then cleaned and shaped. • Medicine may be placed in the pulp chamber to deter bacterial growth. • The root canal is then fi lled with a rubber-like material to seal it. A metal or plastic rod or post may be placed in the canal to help retain the fi lling material so it can properly support the tooth. • A temporary fi lling is placed in the tooth. During a subsequent treatment, the temporary fi lling will be replaced with a permanent crown or fi lling. Root canals are nothing to fear. Such proce- dures are routine and generally produce little to no pain. TF185991 This message is brought to you by this local sponsor:
