Transcript: The path forward: Vaccines with Johnson & Johnson CEO Alex Gorsky

In the Washington Post’s morning series “The Path Forward”, guest Alex Gorsky, the chief executive of Johnson & Johnson, sheds some light on some of the complicated vaccine questions. Gorsky noted he has never seen the level of partnership and collaboration that he observed over the last 13 months and highlighted the work with BIDMC as an example. (Washington Post, March 4, 2021)

A year into COVID, top health execs keep rivalry on the sidelines

Early in the COVID-19 health emergency, the sharing of resources and supplies among hospitals and health systems was critical in the pandemic fight. Speaking to the importance of collaboration, Kevin Tabb, MD, President & CEO of Beth Israel Lahey Health, noted how BILH shared ventilators with Boston Medical Center during the first surge, and more recently, received vaccines from another system, helping to prevent the cancellation of appointments. (Boston Business Journal, March 4, 2021)

How the pandemic has made staying sober even more difficult

Kevin Hill, MD and Mia Hazel, MD of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), shared data showing those with addictions are eight times more likely than those without to get COVID-19. They have found that increasing the frequency of virtual appointments has been essential for helping patients stay engaged in recovery treatment. (WBUR, March 3, 2021)

Should life change after you get your COVID-19 vaccination? Not really

In this article, three regional experts, including Peter Sebeny, MD of Anna Jaques Hospital, answered questions about the COVID-19 vaccine. (Wicked Local, March 3, 2021)

Plan to Ditch the Mask After Vaccination? Not So Fast.

Dan Barouch, MD, PhD of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), spoke to recently emerged data from the Johnson & Johnson trial where researchers looked for signs of infection in 3,000 participants up to 71 days after getting the single-dose vaccine. Risk of infection in that study seemed to fall by about 74 percent. (New York Times, March 3, 2021)

We may not have to wear masks on planes forever. But should we?

Lin Chen, MD of Mount Auburn Hospital, noted how even after the pandemic is over, masking up on a plane is a smart idea due to the different respiratory pathogens that may circulate at different times of the year and in different areas of the world. (Washington Post, March 2, 2021)

Covid-19 vaccines yield breakthroughs in long-term fight against infectious disease

The FDA has issued emergency use authorization for Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine, which was developed in collaboration with a team at BIDMC led by Dan Barouch, MD, PhD (Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, BIDMC). (Wall Street Journal, February 28, 2021)

FDA issues emergency use authorization for Johnson & Johnson vaccine

The FDA has issued emergency use authorization for Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine, which was developed in collaboration with a team at BIDMC led by Dan Barouch, MD, PhD (Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, BIDMC). (Good Morning America, February 28, 2021)

Scituate superintendent urges state to get teachers Johnson & Johnson vaccine

Before the latest COVID-19 vaccine received federal approval, Scituate’s superintendent of schools wrote a letter to local lawmakers and Gov. Charlie Baker seeking to have educators statewide vaccinated with Johnson & Johnson’s one-shot vaccine. Michael Gibson of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), noted educators, especially older ones, may be at high risk for COVID-19. (Boston 25 News, February 27, 2021)

F.D.A.’s expert panel voted in favor of the Johnson & Johnson shot

The FDA has issued emergency use authorization for Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine, which was developed in collaboration with a team at BIDMC led by Dan Barouch, MD, PhD (Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, BIDMC). (New York Times, February 26, 2021)