AMA Update

The FDA on Paxlovid and COVID-19: What physicians need to know, Part II

In part two of this three-part series, Stephanie Troy, MD, senior medical officer, Division of Antivirals, Office of Infectious Disease in the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research’s Office of New Drugs, FDA, discusses what to know about Paxlovid as treatment for COVID-19.

Sandra Fryhofer, MD, on what new FDA licensing & authorization requests mean for patients

AMA CXO Todd Unger dives into new developments from ACIP's emergency meeting on Feb. 4 with Dr. Sandra Fryhofer, AMA’s liaison to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), and a member of ACIP’s COVID-19 Vaccine Workgroup.

The FDA on Monoclonal Antibody Therapeutics: What physicians need to know, Part I

AMA president Gerald Harmon, MD, welcomes experts from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to discuss what prescribers need to know about COVID-19 therapeutic drugs, Paxlovid and Molnupiravir. Alternative treatment options for high-risk outpatients with mild-moderate COVID-19 are also discussed. Guest: John Farley, MD, MPH, director, Office of Infectious Diseases in the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research’s Office of New Drugs, FDA

Andrea Garcia, JD, MPH, shares new CDC data on detecting COVID surges in advance

Gerald Harmon, MD, on what physicians need to know about COVID-19 therapeutics

AMA CXO Todd Unger is joined by the AMA’s president, Gerald Harmon, MD, a family medicine specialist in Pawleys Island, S.C., who shares new information and big takeaways about therapeutics for COVID-19 after his recent conversation with three physician leaders from the FDA.

David Rubin, MD, on keeping kids in school in the wake of Omicron

AMA CXO Todd Unger talks with David Rubin, MD, director of PolicyLab at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and a professor of pediatrics at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, about his team's nationally recognized COVID-19 forecasting model and how it informs new guidance for K-12 educational settings aimed at keeping kids in school.

Andrea Garcia, JD, MPH, covers new CDC study findings, full FDA approval for Moderna vaccine & Novavax authorization request

AMA CXO Todd Unger reviews COVID-19 case numbers and trending topics related to the pandemic over the past week with AMA Director of Science, Medicine and Public Health Andrea Garcia. Including the new “stealth Omicron” variant, as well as data from the latest CDC study showing third doses/booster shots bolster COVID defenses for both the immunocompromised and people with stronger immune systems. Also recapping AMA's joint statement with the American Hospital Association (AHA) and the America...

AMA President Gerald Harmon, MD, discusses physicians' vital role in a "pandemic of mistrust"

AMA CXO Todd Unger talks with AMA President Gerald Harmon, MD, a family medicine specialist in Pawleys Island, S.C., about the important role physicians can play at this pivotal time in the pandemic and the support they need to do so.

Peter Hotez, MD, PhD, on his new COVID vaccine

AMA CXO Todd Unger talks with Dr. Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine and co-director of the Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development in Houston, to learn about his new COVID vaccine and how it fits into our global pandemic response.

Laura Hoffman, JD, on prioritizing and protecting your patients' vaccination data

During #DataPrivacyWeek, AMA CXO Todd Unger talks with Laura Hoffman, JD, the AMA’s assistant director of federal affairs, about the importance of establishing guardrails for digital vaccination data and how physicians can address data privacy concerns with patients. Access the AMA's case for privacy by design in app development resource here: https://www.ama-assn.org/system/files/privacy-principles-by-design.pdf To learn more about AMA's health data privacy framework and advocacy work on ...

Andrea Garcia, JD, MPH, discusses the newest research on Omicron

The webinar: "COVID-19: What to know about therapeutics and other treatment options" is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 1, at 3 p.m. Central time. Register and submit questions for the webinar here: https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/covid-19-what-physicians-need-know-webinar-series

Jonathan Ripp, MD, MPH, on clinician well-being in Omicron's wake

AMA CXO Todd Unger discusses clinician well-being in the COVID “new normal" with Jonathan Ripp, MD, MPH, dean for well-being and resilience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and chief wellness officer at Mount Sinai Health System.

Leana Wen, MD, MSc, assesses the COVID endgame post-omicron surge

AMA CXO Todd Unger talks with Leana Wen, MD, MSc, public health professor at George Washington University, a columnist with the Washington Post, and a CNN medical analyst, about how physician communication and leadership can clear up COVID confusion for individual patients—as well as the nation.

Andrea Garcia, JD, MPH, discusses what to expect with the Omicron surge

AMA CXO Todd Unger reviews COVID-19 vaccine numbers and trending topics related to the pandemic over the past week with AMA Director of Science, Medicine and Public Health Andrea Garcia. Also covering developments in COVID hot spots across the nation, the CDC's clarified stance on masks, and Dr. Fauci's "five phases of the pandemic."

Leonard Nelson, JD, on how vaccine mandate rulings impact physicians

AMA CXO Todd Unger talks with Leonard Nelson, JD, the AMA’s senior assistant general counsel, about the recent Supreme Court decisions on vaccine mandates and their long-term implications for physicians.

Andrea Garcia, JD, MPH, outlines CDC's updated COVID recs

AMA CXO Todd Unger reviews rising COVID-19 case numbers and trending topics related to the pandemic over the past week with AMA Director of Science, Medicine and Public Health Andrea Garcia. Also detailing what physicians and patients need to know about the CDC’s updated guidance on isolation, quarantine and testing.

Sandra Fryhofer, MD, discusses updated booster recs for teens and more

AMA CXO Todd Unger discusses news from the recent meeting of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or ACIP, with Sandra Fryhofer, MD, AMA’s liaison to ACIP, and a member of ACIP’s COVID-19 Vaccine Workgroup. Updates include new COVID booster recommendations for teens, a shorter booster interval after a Pfizer vaccine series, new additional dose recommendations for immunocompromised children, and what you need to know about Pfizer’s new COVID vaccine formulation for adults. A...

Sandra Fryhofer, MD, discusses new J&J vaccine recommendations

AMA CXO Todd Unger talks with Sandra Fryhofer, MD, the AMA’s liaison to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), and chair-elect of the AMA Board of Trustees about updated vaccine recommendations based on an increased, but still rare, risk of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Also, covering the latest on Omicron and vaccine effectiveness, a vaccine safety update for children aged 5-11 and the status of a COVID vaccine for toddlers.

Health system leaders on navigating vaccine mandates

AMA CXO Todd Unger discusses the complex issue of vaccine mandates with three health system leaders: Robert Hart, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Ochsner Health; Adnan Munkarah, MD, Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer, Henry Ford Health System; and Michael Anderson, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health in this special COVID Update feature.

Andrea Garcia, JD, MPH, discusses new data on Omicron, Pfizer's COVID pill and more

AMA CXO Todd Unger reviews COVID-19 vaccine numbers and trending topics related to the pandemic over the past week with AMA Director of Science, Medicine and Public Health Andrea Garcia. Also covering an increase in COVID cases as the U.S. surpassed 50 million on Monday, new data from a major study released by South Africa’s largest health insurer on vaccine efficacy against Omicron, and an update on Pfizer's COVID pill.

Andrea Garcia, JD, MPH, discusses the spread of the Omicron variant

AMA CXO Todd Unger reviews COVID-19 vaccine numbers and trending topics related to the pandemic over the past week with AMA Director of Science, Medicine and Public Health Andrea Garcia. Also covering the spread of Omicron across the U.S. and globally, as well as New York City's vaccine mandate for private employees.

Peter Hotez, MD, PhD, on the omicron variant and Delta winter surge

AMA CXO Todd Unger discusses the new omicron variant and what it means for the months ahead with good friend of the show, Dr. Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine and co-director of the Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development in Houston.

Andrea Garcia, JD, MPH, discusses omicron, vaccine mandate challenges and Merck's COVID pill

AMA CXO Todd Unger reviews COVID-19 vaccine numbers and trending topics related to the pandemic over the past week with AMA Director of Science, Medicine and Public Health Andrea Garcia. Also covering the omicron variant, vaccine mandate challenges and pending FDA authorization for Merck's COVID pill.

Paul Offit, MD, discusses the importance of pediatric COVID vaccination

AMA CXO Todd Unger talks with Paul Offit, MD, the director of the Vaccine Education Center and an attending physician in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, about pediatric COVID vaccination, mandates and boosters.

Andrea Garcia, JD, MPH, discusses uptick in COVID cases and flu outbreaks

AMA CXO Todd Unger reviews COVID-19 vaccine numbers and trending topics related to the pandemic over the past week with AMA Director of Science, Medicine and Public Health Andrea Garcia. Also covering the latest on COVID-19 treatment pills, expanding eligibility for booster shots, what the uptick in cases in Europe could forecast for the U.S., as well as flu outbreaks and press releases from the November 2021 Special Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates.

Bechara Choucair, MD, discusses the nation's vaccination strategy

AMA CXO Todd Unger talks with Bechara Choucair, MD, vaccinations coordinator on the White House COVID-19 Response Team in Washington, D.C., about the nation’s vaccination strategy, including vaccine requirements, pediatric vaccination and boosters.

Andrea Garcia, JD, MPH, discusses legal challenges to Biden's vaccine requirements

AMA CXO Todd Unger reviews COVID-19 vaccine numbers and trending topics related to the pandemic over the past week with AMA Director of Science, Medicine and Public Health Andrea Garcia. Also covering legal challenges to the Biden administration's recent vaccine requirements for large companies and health workers, as well as ongoing efforts to vaccinate the nation's 5 to 11 year olds.

An in-depth look at kids and COVID vaccines with Dr. Sandra Fryhofer

AMA CXO Todd Unger discusses what physicians need to know about the recent COVID vaccine authorization for children in the 5 to 11 age group with Dr. Sandra Fryhofer, AMA’s liaison to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), and a member of ACIP’s COVID-19 Vaccine Workgroup.

Andrea Garcia, JD, MPH, discusses recent EUA for Pfizer's COVID vaccine for 5-11 year olds

AMA CXO Todd Unger reviews COVID-19 vaccine numbers and trending topics related to the pandemic over the past week with AMA Director of Science, Medicine and Public Health Andrea Garcia. Also covering the FDA's authorization of Pfizer-BioNTech’s coronavirus vaccine for emergency use in children 5 to 11, vaccine mandates in schools, and the AMA's support of the Biden Administration's plan to address the nation's overdose epidemic.

Dr. Aaron Carroll talks Halloween and holidays and how to assess risk

AMA CXO Todd Unger discusses Halloween and assessing risk heading into the holiday season with Dr. Aaron Carroll, a professor of pediatrics and chief health officer at Indiana University. 

Andrea Garcia, JD, MPH, discusses vaccine authorization for 5-11 year olds

AMA CXO Todd Unger reviews COVID-19 vaccine numbers and trending topics related to the pandemic over the past week with AMA Director of Science, Medicine and Public Health Andrea Garcia. Also covering booster news and current vaccine timeline for the 5 to 11 year old age group.

Dr. Sandra Fryhofer shares the latest on boosters and the new "mix-and-match strategy"

AMA CXO Todd Unger discusses what physicians need to know about boosters for Moderna, J&J recipients, and the newly approved mix-and-match strategy, with Dr. Sandra Fryhofer, AMA’s liaison to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), and a member of ACIP’s COVID-19 Vaccine Workgroup.

Andrea Garcia, JD, MPH, discusses boosters and pending authorizations

AMA CXO Todd Unger reviews COVID-19 vaccine numbers and trending topics related to the pandemic over the past week with AMA Director of Science, Medicine and Public Health Andrea Garcia. Also covering booster shots (including FDA and CDC recommendations), COVID case spikes related to dropping temperatures, and a reminder to get your annual flu shot.

CDC's Dr. Alex Kallen discusses what physicians need to know about infection prevention and control

AMA CXO Todd Unger talks with the CDC's Dr. Alex Kallen, chief of the Prevention and Response Branch in the Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, about the importance of infection prevention and control and what physicians need to know about updated guidance in this area.  

Andrea Garcia, JD, MPH, discusses EUA requests for boosters and children ages 5-11

AMA CXO Todd Unger reviews COVID-19 vaccine numbers and trending topics related to the pandemic over the past week with AMA Director of Science, Medicine and Public Health Andrea Garcia. Also covering COVID-19 vaccine emergency use authorization (EUA) requests from Pfizer for children ages 5-11, as well as movement on boosters for Johnson & Johnson and Moderna vaccine recipients.

Baptist Health leadership on combating rising COVID cases in south Florida

AMA CXO Todd Unger discusses navigating the resurgence of COVID cases in southern Florida with Dr. Bernie Fernandez, the CEO of Baptist Health Medical Group, and Bill Ulbricht the Chief Operating and Administrative Officer for the Clinical Enterprise division of Baptist Health South Florida.

Andrea Garcia, JD, MPH, discusses trends and urgent call for pregnant people to get vaccinated

AMA CXO Todd Unger reviews COVID-19 vaccine numbers and trending topics related to the pandemic over the past week with AMA Director of Science, Medicine and Public Health Andrea Garcia. Also covering movement on FDA's J&J and Moderna booster EUA consideration, New York's vaccine mandate, and Merck's antiviral COVID-19 treatment pill.

EvergreenHealth's Dr. Pratima Sharma shares strategies to support physicians during crisis

AMA CXO Todd Unger talks with Dr. Pratima Sharma, executive medical director of primary care at EvergreenHealth, about how her health system quickly pivoted when it became the first location in the country to identify a COVID positive patient. Dr. Sharma shares strategies for ensuring physician well-being during crisis and how changes her health system made during the pandemic will influence care long term. 

Andrea Garcia, JD, MPH, discusses booster rollout, mask studies and this week's numbers

AMA CXO Todd Unger reviews COVID-19 vaccine numbers and trending topics related to the pandemic over the past week with AMA Director of Science, Medicine and Public Health Andrea Garcia. Also covering the booster roll out, mask studies in schools and the continued politicization of the pandemic.

Dr. Sandra Fryhofer shares what physicians need to know about boosters

AMA CXO Todd Unger talks boosters with Dr. Sandra Fryhofer, AMA’s liaison to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Learn what physicians need to know about the latest Pfizer booster authorization, including who is eligible, why boosters are needed and what this means for our larger efforts to fight the pandemic. 

Andrea Garcia, JD, MPH, shares vaccine updates on boosters and young children

AMA CXO Todd Unger talks with AMA's Director of Science, Medicine and Public Health, Andrea Garcia, about trending topics related to the pandemic over the past week. Also covering Pfizer's announcement regarding vaccine effectiveness in 5-11 year olds, the FDA's decision on booster shots, and a state-by-state look at swings in COVID case count.

Andrea Garcia, JD, MPH, discusses Biden's push for vaccine mandates

AMA CXO Todd Unger reviews COVID-19 vaccine numbers and trending topics related to the pandemic over the past week with AMA Director of Science, Medicine and Public Health Andrea Garcia. Also covering recently released studies from the CDC, and what the data tells us about the effectiveness of COVID vaccines.

Dr. Steven Stack on confronting challenges in Kentucky's battle against COVID

AMA CXO Todd Unger talks with Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Public Health and former AMA president, about how Kentucky is faring in its battle with COVID, including the state's recent surge in cases and challenges posed by the politicization of health care issues.

The FDA's Dr. John Farley talks about why ivermectin should not be used to prevent or treat COVID

A discussion with John Farley, MD, MPH, director of the Office of Infectious Diseases in the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research’s Office of New Drugs at the FDA, about what physicians and patients really need to know about ivermectin.

Andrea Garcia, JD, discusses the outlook of the pandemic heading into fall

Discussion with AMA's Director of Science, Medicine & Public Health, Andrea Garcia, to review COVID-19 vaccine numbers and trending topics related to the pandemic over the past week. Also covering booster shots, end-of-summer case numbers and trends, as well as the growing shortage of ICU beds across the U.S.

Dr. Sandra Fryhofer discusses boosters and the latest vaccine safety data

Dr. Sandra Fryhofer, AMA’s liaison to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a member of ACIP’s COVID-19 Vaccine Workgroup, and chair-elect of the AMA Board of Trustees, shares details from the latest ACIP meeting, including more details on the Pfizer approval, the latest vaccine safety data and the timeline for booster shots. 

Andrea Garcia, JD, MPH, discusses pandemic complications caused by Hurricane Ida

Discussion with AMA's Director of Science, Medicine & Public Health, Andrea Garcia, to review COVID-19 vaccine numbers and trending topics related to the pandemic over the past week. Also covering challenges faced by southern states in the wake of Hurricane Ida, and the U.S. returning to a daily average of more than 100,000 COVID-19 patients hospitalized.

Children's Hospital Vaccine Education Center Director Dr. Paul Offit talks COVID and kids, plus the importance of getting vaccinated

A discussion with Dr. Paul Offit, the director of the Vaccine Education Center and an attending physician in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, about the importance of getting vaccinated and what physicians need to know about COVID and kids.

How one medical student is changing the conversation about COVID vaccination in Black communities

A discussion with LaShyra “Lash” Nolen, founding executive director of the We Got Us Empowerment Project and president of her medical school class at Harvard Medical School, about how she’s empowering Black communities to make decisions about COVID vaccines by providing accurate, culturally sensitive information in unique ways.

AMA President Gerald Harmon, MD, discusses FDA's full approval of Pfizer vaccine

AMA president and family medicine specialist, Dr. Gerald Harmon, dives into the details about the FDA’s full approval of the Pfizer vaccine—and what it means for physicians and patients.