Dr. Robert Wacks, MDVIP

02/27/2025

“It’s a six-month production cycle,” Dr. Offit said. “So one can only assume that we’re not picking flu strains this year.”

Richard Hughes, a lawyer for some vaccine makers, said the postponement was concerning since the schedule for making the flu vaccine tends to be quite strict. Strains are usually selected in the F.D.A. meeting in February or March using data from the World Health Organization — a relationship the United States walked away from early in the Trump administration. He said manufacturing tends to begin in June.

“The stakes are incredibly high,” he said, noting that this year’s flu season has been especially intense.

The cancellation plays into fears among scientists who worry that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will use his position as health secretary to sow doubts about vaccines.

08/23/2024

08/07/2024

As a followup to the NYT article we posted a few weeks ago, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) highlights the dangers of buying compounded GLP-1 medications (semiglutide (Ozempic) and tirzepitide (Mounjaro)) from an unknown "online pharmacy."

Researchers found that semaglutide ordered from illegal online pharmacies contained significantly more of the drug than labeled.

07/26/2024

✨ NEW SCIENCE ALERT! ✨

👉 A new study based on longitudinal data suggests that the Shingrex (shingles) vaccine is associated with lower rates of dementia
👉 Other shingles vaccines have shown a protective effect against dementia, but this new data found a 17% greater protective effect with the new, recombinant vaccine
👉 Shingrex vaccine ALSO protects adults 50+ from shingles with greater than 90% efficacy!
👉 If you need a shingles vaccine, we have Shingrex in stock! Give us a call to set up an appointment.

Being immunised against shingles has been linked to a reduced dementia risk before and now a study suggests that the newer vaccine wards off the condition more effectively than an older one

07/12/2024

If you're feeling tempted by ads for compounded versions of Ozempic and Wegovy (semiglutide), think again! Many of these companies are popping up out of nowhere. There is no guarantee you're getting what you ordered. It's not worth the risk, especially as the FDA is seizing increasing amounts of fake semiglutide.

Fake versions of popular drugs used for weight loss are putting people at risk.

01/09/2024

Amidst this new surge, many hospitals – some responding to staffing shortages, and some responding to public pressure – have reinstated mask mandates. Masks work! So do vaccines. If you haven't received your booster, do so as soon as possible and remember it takes ~14 days to work.

We continue to stress the importance of mitigating the spread of COVID, especially during this time of increasing transmission. Please continue to wear a high quality respirator mask (such as an N95) in indoor settings of any capacity, and postpone crowded events. In addition, make sure to take appropriate precautions when meeting with others.

01/03/2024

According to the latest CDC COVID-19 wastewater data, we are currently in the second-biggest surge of the pandemic. THESE DATA ARE FROM DECEMBER 28 and do not represent or quantify the COVID-19 transmissions that occurred during Christmas and New Years celebrations.

Wear a mask, wash your hands, stay home if you are sick, and make sure you get the latest booster (takes ~2 weeks to be effective). Stay safe and healthy!

12/16/2022

Is it a cold, flu, Covid-19, or RSV?

12/02/2022

Get your flu shot (and bivalent covid booster)!

11/22/2022

Happy Thanksgiving week! This is a friendly reminder that although there are a ton of circulating viruses, you and your family can have a healthy gathering while taking care of the larger community (i.e., overflowing hospitals). Here are a few key steps for this week:

If you’re sick today…
There’s a good chance you’ll be contagious on Thursday, regardless the type of virus. I would seriously consider, unfortunately, staying home. The infectious windows for the “triple threat” viruses are as follows:

Flu: Contagious for 5-7 days after start of symptoms.

RSV: Contagious for 3-8 days after start of symptoms. Some infants and people with weakened immune systems can spread the virus even after they stop showing symptoms, for as long as 4 weeks.

COVID-19: We see strong evidence (linked in comments) that an Omicron infection lasts, on average, 8-10 days. Some people will be infectious for less, and some will be infectious for more. You won’t know unless you test.

Cadence testing (COVID-19)
Cadence testing will help catch false negatives for COVID-19. Antigen tests are not perfect, especially among asymptomatic people, but they can help. (You can expect the average antigen test to catch 44% to 70% of asymptomatic cases). For cadence testing, it’s best to test tomorrow morning and again on Thursday morning before getting together.

Both negative: You’re good to go, especially if you have other measures in place.

Positive tomorrow: Bummer. But you could be at the end of your viral journey. Test again on Thursday, but be prepared to cancel.

Positive Thursday: Stay at home. Sorry.

11/05/2022

Out today from CDC, flu season started early and it's taking the South by storm. It is definitely time to get your flu shot!