There’s a surprising split right now between the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics. The AAP says it “strongly recommends” COVID shots for kids ages 6 months to 2 years. The CDC, meanwhile, has softened its stance, advising that parents of children 6 months to 17 years “discuss the benefits” with their healthcare provider. Why the stronger language from pediatricians? While the risk of death from COVID in kids is lower than in older adults, children (especially the youngest) are more likely to end up in the hospital or ICU if they do get sick. Vaccination can help prevent those severe outcomes while young kids’ immune systems are still developing.
Helping drive these recommendations is a new effort from the University of Minnesota called the Vaccine Integrity Project. Run by the same team at CIDRAP that we cite often in this newsletter, it takes no pharma money and independently vets its experts for conflicts of interest. The group reviewed thousands of studies to provide a clear evidence base for medical groups like AAP to use in making vaccine recommendations.
This isn’t the first professional group that’s split from the updated CDC recs—the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology updated theirs this month with a “strong” recommendation for pregnant people to get the updated COVID shot, despite being removed from the CDC’s guidance. It likely won’t be the last, either. Buckle up for a few weeks of confusing vaccination news as we wait to hear what insurance companies make of all this.
Sources: NPR, CIDRAP
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Not automatically. GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound commonly cause digestive side effects, especially when someone first starts taking them. Those symptoms aren’t contagious, so on their own they don’t require work exclusion.
The challenge comes when chronic symptoms overlap with signs of something infectious. We’ve seen some of the worst outbreaks start when employees with ongoing issues (like IBS, pregnancy, or now GLP-1 side effects) didn’t recognize when their “usual” nausea turned into something more severe. If an employee who’s usually a little queasy suddenly can’t leave the bathroom with vomiting and diarrhea, that’s a red flag for norovirus or another contagious illness. With ZHH’s Sick Call Program, our clinical team always digs into the details - if an employee mentions they’re on a new medication, we’ll talk with them about what’s normal and what’s changed. We’ll also decide when to require a doctor’s note if the same person has been out multiple times with GI symptoms, especially if they work in foodservice.
As more of the workforce starts taking GLP-1 drugs, the key is helping managers and employees understand the difference between side effects and stomach bugs. If you need support with your sick call program or guidance for your managers, don’t hesitate to reach out to ZHH.
Sources: Cleveland Clinic
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Weight loss drugs fall squarely at the intersection of health and the restaurant industry, and we know many are already feeling the impact. Ordering more to-go boxes, guests ordering appetizers as their mains, and now: mini meals.
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