Maine Medicine Weekly Update - April 16, 2021  (Plain Text Version)

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In this issue:
•  Maine Medical Association Statement on Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine Pause
•  FDA Update & Statement on Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine Pause Recommendation
•  Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia & J&J COVID Vaccine — Response from the Manufacturer
•  Over 30 Percent of US Adults Fully Vaccinated, Maine Leads the Nation
•  Maine CDC COVID-19 Update for Clinicians with Stephen Sears, MD
•  Clinical Updates and Guidance Related to COVID-19
•  Medicare FFS Claims: 2% Payment Adjustment (Sequestration) Suspended Through December
•  MaineCare Updates: Upcoming Accountable Communities Public Webinar & Primary Care 2.0 Presentation Available Online
•  HealthCare Dive: Urgent Care Centers Draw Some ER Visits but Associated with Higher Spending Overall
•  Webinar for Medical Students April 22: So You Are Employed, Now What?
•  Next MMA Legislative Call Will Be Wednesday, April 21st
•  Maine Community Action Partnership is Working for a Successful Vaccine Roll Out for All
•  Maine Medical Association & ActionPPE Partner Again; This Time for FDA Approved Rapid Antigen Tests
•  A Message from Maine Responds: Volunteer Opportunity
MAINE LEGISLATURE
•  Maine Legislature Week 14 Update
•  Maine Legislature Public Hearings, Work Sessions & New Bills
UPCOMING EVENTS
•  Upcoming Specialty Society Meetings
•  Maine CDC Physicians To Host Regular Clinician COVID Vaccine Info Sessions
•  "Prescribing to Reduce Opioid Overdose Risk: How to Impact the Epidemic Within the Pandemic"
•  NAMI Maine Workshops in May & June: Suicide Prevention & Management for Clinical Staff
•  AAP EQIPP Course: Immunizations - Strategies for Success (for RURAL Health Providers)
•  New Maine AAP Educational Webinar Series
HEALTHCARE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
•  Nurse Practitioner
•  Executive Director
•  Medical Director - ME License Required
•  Practice Administrator
•  Physician
•  Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Clinical Updates and Guidance Related to COVID-19

Find clinical updates and guidance related to COVID-19 here.

· COVID long haulers: Questions patients have about symptoms 

· US FDA Update: How many doses can be obtained from the multi-dose vials of Moderna? 

· Fitted Filtration Efficiency of Double Masking During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Research Letter, JAMA, Internal Medicine) 

· Accuracy of Practitioner Estimates of Probability of Diagnosis Before and After Testing (Original Investigation, JAMA, Internal Medicine) 

· Indoor Air Changes and Potential Implications for SARS-CoV-2 Transmission (JAMA Insights) 

 SARS-CoV-2–Specific Antibodies in Breast Milk After COVID-19 Vaccination of Breastfeeding Women (Research Letter, JAMA Network)

COVID long haulers: Questions patients have about symptoms

Many people with COVID-19 experience lingering symptoms. A physician expert answers questions patients might have about long-hauler COVID symptoms such as brain fog. Read more from the AMA.

US FDA Update: How many doses can be obtained from the multi-dose vials of Moderna?

The Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine is available in two multi-dose vials presentations; one in which the maximum number of extractable doses is 11, with a range of 10-11 doses, and a second in which each vial contains a maximum of 15 doses, with a range of 13-15 doses that can potentially be extracted.

Depending on the type of syringes and needles used to extract each dose, there may not be sufficient volume to extract more than 10 doses from the vial containing a maximum of 11 doses or more than 13 doses from the vial containing a maximum of 15 doses.

Because the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine does not contain preservative, any further remaining product that does not constitute a full dose should not be pooled from multiple vials to create one full dose.

Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions

Letter Granting Moderna EUA Amendment

Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers Administering Vaccine: EUA of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine to Prevent COVID-19.

Fitted Filtration Efficiency of Double Masking During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Research Letter, JAMA, Internal Medicine)

Accuracy of Practitioner Estimates of Probability of Diagnosis Before and After Testing (Original Investigation, JAMA, Internal Medicine)

Indoor Air Changes and Potential Implications for SARS-CoV-2 Transmission (JAMA Insights)

SARS-CoV-2–Specific Antibodies in Breast Milk After COVID-19 Vaccination of Breastfeeding Women (Research Letter, JAMA Network)

SARS-CoV-2–Specific Antibodies in Breast Milk After COVID-19 Vaccination of Breastfeeding Women (Research Letter, JAMA Network)