Keeping Abreast of the Development of Vaccines to Prevent COVID-19: What Clinicians Need to Know

This event will feature Michael Mina and be hosted by Integrity Continuing Education. Learn more and register here.

Although much remains unknown about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), knowledge is expanding every hour, and many healthcare providers, overwhelmed by infected patients and a struggling healthcare infrastructure, are unable to keep up with the changing landscape. Furthermore, the lag in peer-reviewed publication timelines means that the most critical information, when not disseminated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or national and international organizations, will be distributed by mainstream media through social media platforms, interspersed with false, contradictory, or misleading information, thereby presenting additional time-consuming challenges to clinicians. The rapidly evolving nature of the pandemic necessitates the dissemination of up-to-date information through continuing education programs in order to ensure healthcare providers are optimally prepared to care for patients.

With cases of COVID-19 surpassing 51 million worldwide, the rush to develop a vaccine capable of slowing the pandemic and lessening the morbidity and mortality of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is underway. Several COVID-19 vaccines are now being studied in phase 3 trials, and clinicians would benefit from a review of these ongoing efforts, particularly the status of vaccines close to approval. This educational activity will provide clinicians a review of the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) guidance on vaccine approval and emergency use authorization (EUA), up-to-date safety and efficacy information on vaccine candidates in late-stage development, and steps to prioritize patients who would benefit most from vaccination once available. Alongside this knowledge, clinicians must be prepared to combat vaccine mistrust by educating patients on scientific concepts surrounding vaccination, such as herd immunity and safety data.

This program is intended for infectious disease experts, immunologists, geriatricians, primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, physician’s assistants, nurses, and other members of the healthcare team involved in, or interested in, education regarding COVID-19 vaccines. It will be livestreamed via Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube.