Kansas City, Kan- Key points from today’s guests:

Anil Gharmalkar, long COVID patient

• Anil was diagnosed in 2020 with COVID and it was serious enough to put him on a ventilator.
• He has been recovering since and was diagnosed with long COVID.
• He said it has been extremely hard on his family, especially his wife.
• Now he has transitioned back toward some normalcy and he is now able to take a cruise.
• His personal mantra is to look ahead on how to improve and to appreciate what you have.

Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer, The University of Kansas Health System; executive vice chancellor, The University of Kansas Medical Center

• Research has shown that vaccination shows partial long COVID infection protection.
• Two doses pre-infection is linked with 24 percent reduced odds of long COVID.
• One dose post-infection is linked with 15 percent reduced odds of long COVID.
• It is frustrating to hear false claims that vaccines are dangerous.
• We’ve always tried to tell you the truth about health care issues with real conversions.

Dr. Raghu Adiga, Chief Executive Officer, Liberty Market, The University of Kansas Health System

• COVID positive test numbers have been around 8-10 percent.
• If someone has been infected with COVID, the recommendation is to wait three months afterward to get the vaccine.
• I would like to see COVID vaccination rates increase to the levels of flu vaccination rates.
• Vaccines are especially necessary for older adults and the immunocompromised.
• Please get your medical advice from trusted sources, like your health care professional, and not social media.

Dr. Kelly Rhodes-Stark, Chief Medical Officer, Southwest Market, The University of Kansas Health System

• We are seeing an uptick in COVID. Last week, we had five patients admitted with COVID and this week, it is nine.
• The test positivity rate is at 9.5 percent and we anticipate that number will go up with holiday gatherings.
• We’ve had seven admissions with influenza.
• The benefits of vaccines significantly outweigh any risks -- for COVID, flu, and now RSV.
• Stay healthy and stay out of the hospital this winter.

Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director, Infection Prevention & Control, The University of Kansas Health System

• The U.S. is very stringent on vaccines in terms of making sure they are tested for safety and effectiveness.
• The data strongly supports hybrid immunity – vaccination plus infection – is a little more effective than just vaccination.
• We have 14 patients hospitalized for COVID.
• Influenza numbers will likely increase and the vaccine will help prevent serious illness and hospitalization.
• Bird flu is not as big of a threat at this point and we have not seen any human to human transmission.
• The main pillar of infection prevention is frequent and adequate hand hygiene.

Live episodes will resume on Feb. 3, 2025.

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