Gail writes:
Hi, Daniel. If someone over 65 gets Pemgarda every 3 months, is it still recommended that they get the Covid vaccine every 6 months? I read several months ago that it was still worthwhile to get the vaccine even if someone may not mount very much of an antibody response. So, is that still true, assuming it was accurate then?
Thanks,
Gail
EJ writes:
Dr’s I love your show! I have been following since the first year of the pandemic. Thanks for your selfless service in this endeavor to keep us informed and know that I pass your knowledge on to many patients! As a family physician in the Chicago suburbs I love to continue my education by listening to your podcast.
Just a little correction that you probably already know regarding US citizens traveling to Honduras –
https://hn.usembassy.gov/step-message-for-u-s-citizens-july-4-2025
John writes:
Vincent, Daniel,
Thimerosal is the same as merthiolate! I’m sure you knew that, but I didn’t. (I wonder if Junior Kennedy does?)
If thimerosal caused autism, all baby boomers should have become autistic – at least all the ones who played outside as kids. Of course I’m exaggerating my case, but it would be interesting to know what the blood thimerosal levels were in kids with an average scraped knee an hour after being painted up with merthiolate. I’ll guess that they vastly exceeded the levels in vaccine vials before the dose is diluted into someone.
Relatedly, since you mentioned MRSA/MSSA* at the start of 1232, I wonder how much the rise in MRSA can be attributed to the demise of merthiolate / replacement by other topical antimicrobials in the 1990s? I’m a fan of Neosporin, but I wonder if people reach for topical antimicrobials less often than they used to.
(And BTW, since there’s a sulfur atom in it, it’s pronounced THIGH MARE o sal, not th’e mer O sel.)
Best regards from a Greater Braddock that was a degree hotter (90) than Orlando today, but at least vastly better than last week’s 96.
John
*I could go on about MRSA/MSSA, the length of time it currently takes to discriminate the two, and the annual cost to the average hospital system to reverse resultant kidney damage in the fair percentage of patients who were initially treated with vancomycin (out of an abundance of caution) for what turned out to be MSSA, and how this could all become moot with a test that delivered results in hours vs. days, but for now just remember that I slipped this in.
Richard writes:
Kennedy will not be able to close HHS divisions or order additional layoffs as the lawsuit moves forward.
Source: Axios
https://share.google/Opa9sdacqRzYb5asS
Philip writes:
I’m well vaccinated. I’m 67 years old with well controlled Type 2 Diabetes and obese.
I had my last Covid Booster and Flu in September 2024 prior to a trip to the UK/Ireland. I’ve also had the RSV vaccine.
I’m planning a trip to Chile in September 2025.
August would be early for my flu vaccine for the USA and I would assume the flu season would be waning in Chile.
Thoughts?