Dr. Faheem Younus answer the question regarding COVID vaccine. Dr. Faheem Younus, MD is sharing pandemic tips from the COVID frontlines. Dr. Faheem Younus is the Chief Quality Officer and Chief of Infectious Diseases at the University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health.
Q1: What COVID vaccine is SAFE in pregnancy?
He says yes, 7 studies with over 45,000 pregnant ladies found no increased risk of:
- Stillbirth
- Miscarriage
- Birth defects
- Preterm birth
Plus the vaccine protects the baby. Remember, COVID mortality is much higher in unvaccinated pregnant ladies.
Q2: Executives: Want your hospital to survive the pandemic and Why?
Dr. Faheem Younus says Invest in my “5-R’s of workforce”
- Recruitment (salaries, benefits)
- Retention (daycares, gyms, WFH)
- Retraining (on employer’s time)
- Recognition (timely/broad)
- Resilience (time off, purpose)
He said that 5 R’s is not an expense; it’s an investment. Quality, safety and reputation will tank without an energized workforce. An energized workforce not only assures your journey to zero harm and HRO but it also pays for itself thru P4P programs, reduced legal fees. It’s urgently needed.
Q3: Why Kids will get the COVID Vaccine?
There are 7 Reasons which Kids get the COVID Vaccine are:
- Kids can get severe disease.
- Some may get long COVID.
- Kids can pass the virus on.
- Vaccine allows normalcy.
- Risk of myocarditis — negligible.
- They’ve had all other vaccines.
- We practice what we preach.
Q4: I had COVID. Can I get it again?
Dr. Faheem Younus said, the duration of immunity varies but may last 1 year. The risk of reinfection Less than 1% and usually mild disease.
He said many people asked Vaccinated but Not Protected: Taking the following medications? Have an Immunocompromised state? Your response to the COVID vaccine will be blunted. Dr. Faheem Younus said keep wearing a mask and maintain social distancing.
Q5: What’s your advice to parents trying to keep their babies under 2 safe from COVID?
Faheem said how to keep non-school going kids safe?
- Adults get vaccinated
- Socialize with vaccinated friends/family
- Enjoy outdoor activities
- Let kids play with vaccinated relatives
- Don’t fear surface transmission
He also said kids less than 5 are the lowest risk age group. Don’t be over cautious.
