President Joe Biden, despite being 79 years old, had a mild case of COVID-19. The primary explanation for why he escaped severe symptoms is that he was not only vaccinated, but double-boosted.
Million Veteran Program Helps Link Genes for Severe COVID-19, Other Diseases
From the earliest days of the pandemic, it was evident that people with certain medical conditions faced an increased risk of severe COVID-19.
‘Pan-Coronavirus’ Vaccine Developed by Army Research Shows Promise
Based on recent preclinical study results, the Spike Ferritin Nanoparticle (SpFN) COVID-19 vaccine is showing significant promise.
VA Studies Continue to Demonstrate High COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness
From the time the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines became available in late 2020, VA studies have been crucial to understanding their effectiveness in real life.
How Deployed Military Personnel Viewed COVID-19 Vaccination
To better understand vaccine hesitancy related to COVID-19 shots, a study recently looked at how likely deployed military personnel is to be vaccinated.
Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Proves More Effective Than Similar Pfizer Product
While both of the messenger RNA vaccines used in the United States work very well, a new VA study found that, in a head-to-head comparison, the Moderna product is more effective than the Pfizer-BioNTech product.
VA Seeks to Change Initial Concerns About COVID-19 Vaccines Into Acceptance
Early in 2021, more than one-fourth of veterans responding to a survey said they were concerned about getting a COVID-19 vaccine. The VA has worked steadily since then to change their minds.
Which Cancer Patients Get Most Protection From COVID-19 Vaccines?
With new variants popping up and steady occurrence of breakthrough infections, the question of the effectiveness of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in patients with cancer has not really been answered until now.
VA Played Critical Role in Successful Roll-Out of COVID-19 Vaccines
When the COVID-19 vaccines rolled out last winter, a unique partnership between the VHA and other federal agencies provided the first real-world evidence—outside of clinical trials—of how well the vaccines were working.
Death Rate Increases for VA Patients Lagged Community Levels Last Year
Despite older age and more potentially dangerous comorbidities, veterans receiving VA care fared better last year than those treated in community healthcare systems during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study.
As Deadlines Neared, DoD Moves Toward Fully Vaccinating Active-Duty Troops
The DoD is moving steadily toward its goal of vaccinating all military personnel. By early November, 97% of the DoD’s active-duty force had received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
Only About Half of ASCVD Patients Get Influenza Vaccines
Only about half of U.S. patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease receive annual influenza vaccine, and the rate is lower among Black and Hispanic patients than white ones.
VA Study Establishes Link Between Flu Infection, Acute Myocardial Infarction
Previous studies have established an association between laboratory-confirmed influenza infection (LCI) and hospitalization for acute myocardial infarction (AMI).
Kidney Injury Gauged in VA Influenza, COVID-19 Patients
COVID-19 is often compared to other respiratory viral illnesses, but few of those comparisons contrast the virus’ varying effect on kidney health and function.
BCG Vaccine Doesn’t Protect Against COVID-19 Infection, Severity
At an earlier point in the COVID-19 pandemic, hopes were raised that the BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin) vaccine, which stimulates innate immunity, could provide protection against SARS-CoV-2.
mAb Therapies Effective Against Severe COVID-19 in Native American Cohort
Monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapies were highly effective against COVID-19 in a recent study of Native Americans — a group that has been underrepresented in clinical trials for COVID-19 therapies despite being at greater risk for severe disease.
OIG: Lack of Planning Made Illinois CLC COVID-19 Outbreak Worse
From almost the very start of the pandemic, nursing homes and long-termcare facilities proved to be particularly vulnerable to the virus. The close quarters combined with elderly patients suffering from preexisting illnesses resulted in a number of outbreaks and a much higher death rate than the general population.
Military Sets Deadlines for Receipt of Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccine
By mid-December, all U.S. active-duty servicemembers will either be vaccinated against COVID-19 or have received an approved exemption from their service branch.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities Identified in Rates of Severe Influenza
Marked racial and ethnic disparities in COVID-19-associated morbidity and mortality have raised important questions about racial and ethnic differences associated with other respiratory viral infections, including influenza.
Navy Study Suggests Post COVID-19 Symptoms Can Affect Military Readiness
At 0.2% percent, the military’s current COVID-19 mortality rate is far lower than that of the general American public, which is just under 2%. But often those who contract and survive COVID-19 have to live with its long-term effects, regardless of the severity of their acute illness.
COVID-19 Shots Protected VA Cirrhosis Patients
Administration of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines to veterans with cirrhosis resulted in a delayed and modest reduction in infection rates. Excellent protection against related hospitalization or death was achieved, however, according to a new study.
Unexpected Benefit for Minority Veterans: Easier Access to COVID Testing
The COVID-19 pandemic laid bare the impact of disparities in access to healthcare and ongoing differences in the seriousness accorded to minority patients’ health concerns. It also revealed significant benefits of receiving care through the VA.
Nasopharyngeal Swabs Superior for Diagnosing SARS-COV-2 Infection
Identifying SARS-CoV-2 infections quickly and accurately is critical to managing the COVID-19 pandemic and reducing community spread of the virus.
Military, VA, Other Federal Medicine Agencies Mandate COVID-19 Vaccines
The Food and Drug Administration’s full approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine paved the way for a sweeping vaccine mandate for military personnel.
Strebel Helps Create Tool to Identify VA COVID-19 Patients Most at Risk
Is it possible to create an algorithm that not only accurately predicts which COVID-19 patients will be hardest hit by the virus but will also be accepted and trusted by clinicians?
VA Model Promoted to Prevent COVID-19 Deaths During Vaccine Rollout
A model developed by VA researchers showed promise for preventing a substantial number of SARS-CoV-2-related deaths during vaccine rollout, if used in the general population, according to a new study.
Veterans Study Provides More Information on COVID-19 Vaccine Breakthroughs
More than 144 million people in the United States had been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by mid-June, according to the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Most Widely Used Severe COVID-19 Medications Changed Over Time in 2020
News about medications to treat COVID-19 came fast and furious at the height of the pandemic. Drugs were constantly being touted as showing promise to ameliorate the symptoms—or even cure—the sometimes deadly virus.
DoD Continues to Promote COVID-19 Vaccination; Navy Offers Incentives
The Navy became the first U.S. military branch to change policy so that servicemembers who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 have more freedom of movement.
No Increase Documented in Veteran Suicide During the COVID-19 Pandemic
VA has not recorded an increase in veteran suicide during the pandemic, and one study found that some veterans have experienced positive psychological benefits from the enforced isolation and slowing down of their world.