Elderly Man in Face Mask getting Covid Vaccine. Doctor giving Injection to senior Man at Hospital. Virus, COVID-2019, Flu protection. Vaccination of old Patient in Clinic during Coronavirus pandemic.
Amid reports of waning COVID-19 immunity, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is expected to officially approve a third dose of messengerRNA vaccines for the general public.
Moderna and Pfizer are mRNA vaccines.
The FDA has already approved a third COVID-19 vaccine dose for those who have compromised immune systems as part of their primary vaccine series. That third vaccine is not considered a booster.
However, Mayo Clinic experts say the pending FDA approval for a booster vaccine does not mean the general public should go out and get a third dose whenever they think they need it. The timing for a booster is important and designed to provide extended immunity.
Sooner is not necessarily better, and these experts have other concerns.
Were certainly aware of news reports that people, on their own, are going out and getting a third dose, said Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinics Vaccine Research Group. I would urge caution about that. We dont have a lot of data on that and we want to do this in a manner that offers the most benefit and the least risk.
Dr. Melanie Swift, co-chair of the Mayo Clinic COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation and Distribution Work Group, agrees.
There are some things we dont know about that, Swift said. One is that they could develop more side effects and are at more risk of adverse reactions. We dont think so, but we would have to actually study that or follow the population to find out.
She added, Secondly, while we have an adequate vaccine supply to meet this current booster recommendation we dont have a limitless supply of vaccine.
Swift explained boosters are anticipated for the population that has already been vaccinated, but vaccines to be authorized for children in the coming months need to be anticipated, too.
We dont want people just going out and getting vaccinated, soaking up the available supply, Swift said. If they have a healthy immune system and got their full first series, they should expect to be covered for at least eight months after that series so they dont need to go out and get an early booster.
As a responsible dog owner, its important to make sure that your dog is comfortable and well-behaved around others. Socializing your puppy is critical and should start early on, as it sets the stage for your dog to feel happy and confident throughout her life.
It is key to start exposing your puppy to new people, places and situations as soon as you can, and early socialization can begin as soon as you bring your puppy home. The American Kennel Club offers dog lovers the following tips to help socialize their puppies.
1. Start slowly. Start the socialization process slowly. Expose your puppy to different people, places and things each day. Dont take your dog straight to the dog park as her first experience with other animals.
It can be overwhelming, especially if your dog is nervous around other dogs.
2. The nose knows. When you first bring your puppy home, she will naturally start to sniff people and things around her to get to know them. Let her sniff around to get familiar with her new surroundings.
Introduce her to different smells. The earlier you start to socialize your dog, the better.
3. Make a play date. Choose your dogs first playmates by planning to meet someone with one dog at a specific time. Make sure that dog is well-mannered, polite, and calm. That will show your dog what an acceptable greeting looks like.
These meetings should take place after youve exercised your dog a bit to drain some of her energy so shes calm and not overly excited when meeting a new friend.
4. Enroll in a class. A group dog training class will expose your puppy to other people and dogs in a safe, structured environment. There are classes available for socializing puppies and teaching older dogs basic commands.
A dog training class will help you and your dog develop a successful relationship.
5. Go easy on the leash. When your dog approaches other dogs, try not to restrain her forcefully. This could cause your dog to assume an unintentionally aggressive posture that can be misunderstood to other dogs. Try using a harness to reduce pulling.
6. Meet all types of dogs. Make sure to expose your dog to different types of dogsbig, small, active, loud, quiet, etc. If your dog has only ever met dogs of the same type, imagine her surprise the first time she meets a different breed.
7. Supervise. Always supervise interactions and play time between your dog and others. Make sure that your dog and the other are behaving appropriately and that no situations arise.
Kids have been home for a long time because of COVID-19, and some students might not be looking forward to the first day of school, in part because of separation anxiety.
By the time school bells ring, some kids might have a hard time leaving home.
Separation anxiety is not an uncommon problem to have and to be anticipating as we come into the new school year, said Dr. Tina Ardon, a Mayo Clinic family physician.
Thats especially true for children attending new schools or starting school for the first time.
I think one of our best tools for our kids is to be prepared and have open conversations about those things. And theres lots of ways that we can do that as parents: either showing them pictures of their new school, explaining to them what that new routine will be like, or see if that school or day care setting has opportunities for an open house or some type of safe gathering to be able to see that environment, Ardon said.
And if your child has a tummy ache and doesnt want to go to school?
I always tell parents that they know their kids best. So if something just doesnt feel right, you listen to your gut. If theres something such as a fever, vomiting, diarrhea, thats a bit different than saying my tummy just feels a little bit off or its just bothering me a little bit. So always listen to your own self in terms of your kids and how you feel about the situation, says Dr. Ardon. But past that, if there arent any acute symptoms, feel free to talk to your kid a little bit more about what else is going on in their life and then reach out to your doctor to see if further investigation is necessary.
Adorable Wirehair Kanninchen Dachshund pup, sitting facing camera. Looking straight at lens with dark shiny eyes. Isolated on white background.
Al Capones platinum and diamond Patek Philippe pocket watch is up for auction after Capones son died in 2004. His children are selling the estate. (Witherells/Chicago Tribune/TNS)
