{"href":"https://api.simplecast.com/oembed?url=https%3A%2F%2Ffindmyvaccine.simplecast.com%2Fepisodes%2Fzainchaglafall2024-0STBZ6x8","width":444,"version":"1.0","type":"rich","title":"COVID-19 Fall Update: A New Variant and the Big Update on Strain Selection with Dr.Zain Chagla","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_url":"https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/017450d4-6458-4a10-9297-ca289770dc2d/c83d187c-3bd8-464f-9dd7-ba75863d1e1e/zc2024fall.jpg","thumbnail_height":300,"provider_url":"https://simplecast.com","provider_name":"Simplecast","html":"","height":200,"description":"🎙️FindMyVaccine is back with infectious diseases physician, Dr. Zain Chagla, who joins us from Toronto in studio.\n\nAs we head into Fall 2024, it's not just the leaves changing-we cover the latest updates on COVID-19, new variants, new boosters, and new messaging we head into respiratory season. 🦠\n\nIn this episode, we cut through the noise and dive into what you need to know.\n\n❓ Why is this surge happening again? We'll look at the data from this past summer's outbreaks and discuss why it's crucial to stay on top of this evolving situation.\n\n🛡️ Booster blues? Vaccine uptake is still low among at-risk populations, and there's a new booster in town. But how do you communicate that effectively to patients without sounding like a broken record—or worse, adding to the confusion?\n\n💡Navigating patient conversations around booster recommendations 🛑 and why the message has shifted. Get practical tips for identifying high-risk patients and translating NACI recommendations into action. It's not just about age; it's about timing, awareness, and making sure your patients understand why the next dose matters.\n\n📅 Plus, we discuss how to prioritize COVID vs. flu vaccines. \n\n🎧 Tune in for the latest on COVID, and more, with expert insights and a touch of humor.\n\nKey Concepts:\n\nCOVID Surge Alert: Hospitalizations and test positivity are up again 🦠📈\nVaccine Timing: Why it’s crucial to get your COVID shot now, with flu and RSV lurking around the corner. 🎯💉\nCross-Neutralization Explained: How the new COVID variants differ and why updated vaccines still provide protection. 🧬🛡️\nCOVID Therapeutics: Paxlovid effectiveness in the context of new variants🏃‍♂️📅\nPatient Conversations: Strategies for helping patients understand their risks and prioritize getting vaccinated. 🗣️👩‍⚕️\n\n \n\n\n\nDr. Zain Chagla\n\nDr.Zain  Chagla, MD MSc MD, FRCPC is an associate professor at McMaster University, co-medical director of infection control at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton and a consultant in infection control at Woodstock General Hospital. Dr. Chagla is also a teacher at McMaster University where he won a clinician teaching award in internal medicine and a young investigator grant for his work in supporting undergraduate medical education at the University of Namibia. \n\nDr. Chagla also has a Master of Science in infectious diseases and a diploma in tropical medicine and hygiene from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. \n\nAs an infectious disease specialist, Dr.Zain Chagla has given media interviews on the COVID-19 pandemic and published several op-eds on testing, disease elimination, and public health interventions. He has contributed to local, provincial, and federal policy planning, and to several clinical trials on COVID-19 therapies. He has published works on COVID-19 research, epidemiology, testing, and infection control. He is involved with a prospective cohort study looking at respiratory physiology and radiologic features of patients post covid with persistent symptoms over time, including those with long covid and those who were critically ill."}