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Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine Issued for Emergency Use Authorization

As of February 27, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the third COVID-19 vaccine.

Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine has properly met the required FDA criteria and will be provided in the United States for individuals 18 years and older. While the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are still to be distributed, J&J plans to deliver over 20 million doses in March and 100 million doses within the first half of 2021.

What’s So Different About J&J’s Vaccine?

Pfizer and Moderna vaccines both have similar studies, effectiveness rates, vaccine types, etc. to prevent COVID-19 and have proven effectiveness. Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine shows various differences that are still effective and will prevent contracting COVID-19.

While Pfizer and Moderna are both mRNA (messenger RNA) vaccines, Johnson & Johnson developed a harmless adenovirus vector vaccine. This means the vaccine uses a harmless adenovirus to introduce COVID-19 spike protein information to the body, and helps us develop antibodies and immune cells to fight COVID-19 infection. Johnson & Johnson used this approach with their Ebola vaccine in July of 2020, which authorized by the European Medicines Agency.

The Janssen COVID-19 vaccine is a single-shot vaccine as opposed to the two-shot strategy that Pfizer and Moderna have developed. It is 66% effective in preventing the disease and 85% effective in preventing severe disease. These percentages are shown to be effective 28 days after vaccination. This vaccine is a useful tool in fighting the pandemic and combating the continuous high number of cases.

What Should I Do After Receiving the COVID-19 Vaccine?

Continue to wear your mask, practice social distancing, wash your hands frequently and all other practical guidelines that the CDC has provided us. As of right now, the vaccine is not quite yet out for the general public, so there are many without the vaccine that are still at risk of acquiring COVID-19.

Please continue to be cautious around those at high risk and the elderly.

It is recommended that once an individual is vaccinated, they are to be monitored 30 minutes after. If you are someone with a medication, food and/or vaccine allergy, it is advised that you keep your EpiPen alongside you at all times- before, during and after your COVID-19 vaccine.

However, medication, food and/or other vaccine allergies are NOT a contraindication for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Allergy SA will keep you updated with the latest, and will let our patients now as soon as we have the vaccine available in our clinics. To stay updated, please visit our page www.allergysa.com/covid19vaccine or call us for any questions you may have at 210-616-0882.

March 3, 2021/by Yolanda Haymon

Health

COVID-19 Vaccine

AllergySA continues to monitor the approval of COVID-19 Vaccinations in the United States and the distribution/availability within our San Antonio community. We will continue to update our patients with information as we receive it.

NEW: What is Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 Vaccine and Will It Work?

On February 27, 2021, Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine is issued to be the third Emergency Use Authorization COVID-19 vaccine in the United States.

Harmless adenovirus vector vaccine that helps our body develop antibodies and immune cells to fight the infection
Available to ages of 18 years and older
Single-shot vaccine has proven 66% effectiveness in fighting the pandemic

Visit our most recent blog post to learn everything you need to now about the new Janssen COVID-19 vaccine.

Who Can Get the COVID-19 Vaccine?

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has approved vaccinations for the following Phases:

Phase 1A
- Health Care Workers
- Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities
Phase 1B
- People 65 years of age and older
- People 16 years of age and older with at least one chronic medical condition that puts them at increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19, such as but not limited to:
  - Cancer
  - Chronic kidney disease
  - COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
  - Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathies
  - Solid organ transplantation
  - Obesity and severe obesity (body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or higher)
  - Pregnancy
  - Sickle cell disease
  - Type 2 diabetes mellitus
School and Child Care Personnel

For more details on the DSHS phases visit: https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/coronavirus/immunize/vaccine.aspx

Where Can I Get A COVID-19 Vaccination?

We continue to monitor vaccine locations throughout our community and will update this section as the information is received.

MetroHealth/Alamodome: MetroHealth continues to offer vaccine appointments as they become available. Appointments are required and can be made at covid19.sanantonio.gov/vaccine or by calling 311 or 210-207-6000, select option 8.
WellMed is currently making appointments by phone only. Call 833-968-1745 to schedule. Phone lines will be open starting February 9, 2021 from 8am-8pm.
Hill Country Memorial Hospital: Hill Country Memorial in Fredericksburg, Texas is currently taking appointments for those in Phase 1A & 1B. Appointments are required and can be made by calling 830-990-6648 or online at HillCountryCovid.care.

AllergySA clinics are currently not a vaccine location. For a current list of all Texas vaccine providers, visit the Texas Allocation Map.

Should I Get the COVID-19 Vaccination?

At this time we recommend everyone to get the vaccine, including those who have already recovered from COVID-19.

Some benefits include:

It is effective at preventing COVID-19 infection and may also protect those people living and working with you.
- Pfizer-BioNTech: 95% effective 7 days after fully vaccinated
- Moderna: 94.1% effective 14 days after fully vaccinated
- Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen: 66% effective 28 days after vaccination
Getting COVID-19 may offer some natural protection but if you are infected, there is no way to know how it will affect you. Vaccination will be a safer way to build protection.
Vaccination will be an important tool to help stop the pandemic.

We continue to monitor and learn more daily and will update our patients as more information becomes available.

For more information, Dr. Lukena Karkhanis answers your most common questions during a recent Facebook LIVE event.

January 8, 2021/by Yolanda Haymon

Allergies, English, Health, Illness

Is It Mountain Cedar Allergies or COVID-19?

Venn Diagram of COVID and Seasonal Allergy Symptoms

Content source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), Division of Viral Diseases

Are you feeling a slight sniffle, cough or headache? This winter brings an extra layer of worry for mountain cedar sufferers as they try to decipher the difference between mountain cedar allergies and COVID-19.

The CDC has shared this helpful Venn diagram showing the differences and similarities of seasonal allergies to COVID-19. The biggest difference is that COVID-19 may cause: fever, chills, body aches, loss of taste or smell, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea while seasonal allergies will not.

If you are experiencing a mixture of these symptoms it could be possible that you have contracted the COVID-19 virus while also being affected by mountain cedar pollen in the air. The only way to know for sure is by getting a COVID-19 test.

Taking extra precaution to wear a mask and social distance this winter is advised. If you believe that you may have COVID-19, be sure to get tested and quarantine to avoid spreading the virus to others. If you are having trouble breathing, or other emergency warning signs, seek emergency medical care immediately.

AllergySA is not a current testing site for COVID-19. For a list of testing locations please visit: https://covid19.sanantonio.gov/What-YOU-Can-Do/Testing#TestingLocation

A COVID-19 Vaccine is days away from approval. For up to date information on the vaccination, visit our COVID-19 Information page at: https://allergysa.com/covid19/#COVID-Vaccination

December 10, 2020/by Yolanda Haymon

Allergies, English, Health

First Patient Reaches Maintenance Phase of Palforzia® – New FDA Approved Peanut Allergy Treatment

Congratulations to Claire for being our first peanut allergy patient to reach the maintenance phase of Palforzia®.

Palforzia® is the first and only standardized oral immunotherapy treatment approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to minimize the incidence and severity of an allergic reaction from accidental exposure to peanuts.

Early this year, AllergySA was the first to introduce Palforzia® to the San Antonio area and is now the second in the nation to have a patient reach the maintenance phase. The treatment involves an up-dosing phase first administered in an allergist’s office every 2 weeks for about 6 months. Once up-dosing has been completed, the patient will continue taking the maintenance dose at home daily.

To start treatment, the patient needs to be between the ages of 4 and 17 with a confirmed diagnosis of peanut allergy. In the event of accidental peanut exposure, Palforzia® can help reduce the risk of a severe allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis.

Palforzia® is covered by all major insurances including Medicaid. To find out if Palforzia® is right for your family, schedule an appointment with AllergySA at 210-616-0882.

November 9, 2020/by Yolanda Haymon

English, Health, News

COVID-19 creates new dilemma for parents with asthmatic children

AllergySA’s Medical Director, Dr. Joseph Diaz, was recently interviewed about how COVID-19 creates a dilemma for parents when your child has been diagnosed with asthma. While you may be ready to return back to work, finding childcare is difficult as your child is considered high-risk.

“If a child has asthma in the middle of COVID it’s a little more tricky. As you start to open up these daycares and you start to see people going back to work there is a dilemma,” Diaz said.

View the full story at news4sanantonio.com.

For an in depth look at Asthma and COVID-19, view our COVID-19 page including Dr. Diaz’s Facebook Live discussion: https://allergysa.com/covid19/

May 28, 2020/by Yolanda Haymon

English, Health, Illness, YouTube

Information on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

As we continue to see the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19), we feel it is important to share with you what AllergySA is doing to help slow the spread while continuing to provide critical care to our patients.

Is the Flu Shot Safe If I Am Allergic to Eggs?

With flu season just around the corner comes the very common question: “Can I get a flu shot if I am allergic to eggs?” Most types of influenza vaccine contain a very small amount of egg protein causing people to second guess the safety of flu shots if they are allergic to eggs. Contrary to what most think, research has shown that the administration of the flu vaccine is safe for those with egg allergies.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests avoiding flu shots only if you have had a severe allergic reaction to the flu vaccine itself. If you’ve had a mild or severe allergic reaction to eggs, the CDC advises the following:

If eggs cause only hives you can safely get the flu vaccine appropriate for your age and health status anywhere.

If eggs cause swelling, trouble breathing, lightheadedness, recurrent vomiting, or if you’ve had to use an emergency intervention (like your Epi-Pen®), you can get a flu shot, but it must be in a medical setting supervised by a provider who can recognize and manage severe allergic reactions.

If you’ve had a reaction to eggs in the past, talk to your doctor. They may choose to give you the vaccine in their office or send you to an allergist.

According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, a large number of research studies published over the last several years have proved that thousands of egg-allergic children, including those with a severe life-threatening reaction to eating eggs, have received injectable influenza vaccine as a single dose without a reaction. The flu is responsible for the hospitalization of more than 21,100 children under the age of five annually, yet the CDC says nowhere near enough children are vaccinated every year. According to their statistics, only 55 percent of children ages 5 to 17 get the vaccination.

For more information, or to get your flu shot in our office, speak with a medical assistant during your next office or allergy shot visit.

October 8, 2019/by allergysa

English, Health

Distribution Halted for Ranitidine (Generic for Zantac)

Distribution has been halted for generic Ranitidine after an announcement that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating medications containing ranitidine that may have a possible link to cancer.

This generic medication is taken by millions to help with gastrointestinal disorders and discomfort. The manufacturer stated that this is a “precautionary distribution stop” as they complete an internal investigation and the FDA continues its own research to determine if the low levels of the ingredient pose a risk to patients.

If you or a family member has been prescribed this generic medication, here are some key points to know about this issue:

Brand-name Zantac is not included in the distribution halt. Those currently on the generic version can purchase the brand-name over-the-counter medication.
Pediatric patients on liquid ranitidine do not need to switch. The halt only involves the capsule/tablet version.
This is currently a distribution halt, not a recall. The manufacturer is taking precautionary measures as investigations continue and more information will be released as it becomes available.

September 19, 2019/by allergysa

Allergies, English, Health

Ragweed Allergy

The primary reason for fall allergies in the United States is ragweed pollen. A ragweed plant only lives one season, but it is very powerful. A single plant can produce up to 1 billion pollen grains. These grains are very lightweight and float easily through the air. Allergies occur when the body’s immune system treats an allergen, such as ragweed, like a foreign invader. This starts a chemical reaction that produces and sends histamine throughout the bloodstream causing allergy symptoms.

Symptoms of ragweed allergy are similar to those of other pollen allergies including:

• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Nasal congestion • Headaches
• Irritated eyes • Itchy throat

The best way to control your allergy is to minimize contact with the pollen. There is no cure for ragweed allergy but it can be managed. Receiving the correct diagnosis is the first step in managing your symptoms. An allergist will give you a physical exam, ask about your health history and perform allergy testing to determine exactly what you are and are not allergic to.

Remember that pollen can go into your home via your clothes, your hair or your pet — so change your clothes after being outside for long periods, shower before going to bed and wash your hands after petting an animal that has been outside. Also, keep your windows closed at all times, both at home and in the car.

People who experience ragweed allergies are also often sensitive to certain foods. This is because some plants can contain pollen that is similar to ragweed. This condition is known as oral allergy syndrome. Some foods that may cause symptoms in a person with a ragweed allergy include bananas, cantaloupes, chamomile tea, cucumber, honey that contains pollen, sunflower seeds, or zucchini.

Ragweed allergies can be treated with antihistamines and other allergy medications. Your allergist/immunologist can provide a long-term treatment plan which can significantly reduce the frequency and severity of symptoms caused by allergic rhinitis. Schedule an appointment with one of AllergySA’s experienced medical staff by calling 210-616-0882 and allow us to assist you in detecting any allergies you may be suffering from.

September 17, 2019/by allergysa

English, Health

Back to School with Asthma

As the summer comes to an end, preparing for school is the number one priority for parents around the globe. But, parents of children with asthma need to take extra measures to assure that their child’s health is top priority when at school. With proper preparations, you can reduce the impact asthma has on your child.

Asthma is a chronic condition that causes inflammation and narrowing of the bronchial tubes, the passageways that allow air to enter and leave your lungs. Two types of asthma to be aware of during the school year are allergic and non-allergic. Allergic asthma is triggered by exposure to an allergen, such as mold, pollens or pet dander. While non-allergic asthma is brought on by factors such as stress, exercise, illness, extreme weather, irritants in the air and certain medications. Allergists are specially trained to help take control of your child’s asthma, identify what triggers their symptoms and build a plan to help avoid and manage those triggers. They will also prescribe controller and rescue medications to have at home and school and may recommend immunotherapy injections (allergy shots) to help manage allergic asthma flare ups.

Here are some things you can do to make sure your child has a safe and healthy school year:

Make an appointment with your child’s allergist to get up to date prescriptions and a new Asthma Action Plan for the school year.
Tour the school to identify potential asthma triggers such as: dust mites, mold, chalk dust, and animal dander.
Talk with your child’s teacher, school nurse and other school personnel, such as sports coaches, about your child’s condition and treatment plan.

If you are unsure if your child has asthma, here are some signs to look for:

a regular cough
struggling to catch your breath
a whistling/wheezing sound when you breathe

Your allergist can evaluate whether your child’s symptoms are a sign of asthma. By visiting acertified allergist, you can expect an accurate diagnosis, a treatment plan that works and educational information to help you manage your child’s asthma and help them feel better throughout the school year. Schedule an appointment now with one of AllergySA’s experienced physicians by calling 210-616-0882.

August 22, 2019/by allergysa

Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine Issued for Emergency Use Authorization

COVID-19 Vaccine

Is It Mountain Cedar Allergies or COVID-19?

First Patient Reaches Maintenance Phase of Palforzia® – New FDA Approved Peanut Allergy Treatment

COVID-19 creates new dilemma for parents with asthmatic children

Information on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Is the Flu Shot Safe If I Am Allergic to Eggs?

Distribution Halted for Ranitidine (Generic for Zantac)

Ragweed Allergy

Back to School with Asthma

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