UPDATE ON THE COVID-19 BOOSTER SHOTS FOR THE NADF COMMUNITY
Those who received Pfizer and had 2 shots should now get a booster 6 months after the last shot if they are 65 years of age and older or have adrenal insufficiency. The CDC has updated their guidance on booster shots to include those with underlying conditions, including individuals on glucocorticoids. This additional information is important for our community.
To see Dr. Margulies' guidance on the booster shot, visit https://www.nadf.us/covid-19-vaccine-education.html
To see Dr. Margulies' guidance on the booster shot, visit https://www.nadf.us/covid-19-vaccine-education.html
severe covid-19 risks greatly increased for children with adrenal insufficiency
March 21, 2021
Adrenal insufficiency increases the risk for severe outcomes, including death, 23-fold for children who contract COVID-19, according to a data analysis presented at the ENDO annual meeting.
Read the full article: https://www.healio.com/news/endocrinology/20210321/severe-covid19-risks-greatly-increased-for-children-with-adrenal-insufficiency
Adrenal insufficiency increases the risk for severe outcomes, including death, 23-fold for children who contract COVID-19, according to a data analysis presented at the ENDO annual meeting.
Read the full article: https://www.healio.com/news/endocrinology/20210321/severe-covid19-risks-greatly-increased-for-children-with-adrenal-insufficiency
STATEMENT FROM NADF'S MEDICAL DIRECTOR ABOUT THE johnson & johnson covid-19 vaccine
March 5, 2021
Everyone with adrenal insufficiency should get vaccinated with whichever of these vaccines is available to them. I am not concerned about the reported lower efficacy of the J&J vaccine in reducing the incidence of mild to moderate disease. The real benefit of the J&J vaccine is the astounding 100% prevention of severe disease leading to death. Also, the fact that it is one injection that does not require freezing will make it a lot easier for people in rural areas to be vaccinated. People with adrenal insufficiency in NY State are now eligible. Hopefully, this will be extended to all other states soon.
Everyone with adrenal insufficiency should get vaccinated with whichever of these vaccines is available to them. I am not concerned about the reported lower efficacy of the J&J vaccine in reducing the incidence of mild to moderate disease. The real benefit of the J&J vaccine is the astounding 100% prevention of severe disease leading to death. Also, the fact that it is one injection that does not require freezing will make it a lot easier for people in rural areas to be vaccinated. People with adrenal insufficiency in NY State are now eligible. Hopefully, this will be extended to all other states soon.
from the Centers for disease controL AND PREVENTION (cdc)
VACCINATION CONSIDERATIONS FOR PERSONS WITH UNDERLYING MEDICAL CONDITIONS
Updated December 29, 2020
Adults of any age with certain underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19. mRNA COVID-19 vaccines may be administered to people with underlying medical conditions provided they have not had a severe allergic reaction to any of the ingredients in the vaccine. The following information aims to help people in the groups listed below make an informed decision about receiving the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
Read the full article: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/underlying-conditions.html
Adults of any age with certain underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19. mRNA COVID-19 vaccines may be administered to people with underlying medical conditions provided they have not had a severe allergic reaction to any of the ingredients in the vaccine. The following information aims to help people in the groups listed below make an informed decision about receiving the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
Read the full article: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/underlying-conditions.html
STATEMENT FROM NADF'S MEDICAL DIRECTOR ABOUT THE COVID-19 VACCINE
December 17, 2020
Many are questioning whether the COVID-19 vaccine is safe for those with adrenal insufficiency. After a review, NADF’s Medical Advisor Dr. Margulies provided this statement:
“At this time, I am satisfied that the FDA has done the appropriate review of the Pfizer vaccine, and I am enthusiastic about recommending it to every adult. I plan to take it myself. There is no reason for anyone with adrenal insufficiency, whether primary or secondary, to avoid this vaccine. It is as safe as the influenza vaccine. It has mild side effects, such as sore arm, mild fever and fatigue that last about one day. The Moderna vaccine will be reviewed soon, but so far it looks very similar to the Pfizer product. Unless something surprising is found, I expect it will also be suitable for every adult.”
Additional information:
Many people in the clinical trials had some short-term side effects from taking the COVID-19 vaccine. The side effects are usually not serious -- one of the most common is a sore or achy arm. Some people develop low-grade fevers or chills and feel tired. This is because the vaccine is working and causing a response from the immune system. As always, follow NADF’s stress dosing guidelines to determine if you need additional steroids.
As always, you and your doctor should decide together if the vaccine is right for you and, if so, which one.
Many are questioning whether the COVID-19 vaccine is safe for those with adrenal insufficiency. After a review, NADF’s Medical Advisor Dr. Margulies provided this statement:
“At this time, I am satisfied that the FDA has done the appropriate review of the Pfizer vaccine, and I am enthusiastic about recommending it to every adult. I plan to take it myself. There is no reason for anyone with adrenal insufficiency, whether primary or secondary, to avoid this vaccine. It is as safe as the influenza vaccine. It has mild side effects, such as sore arm, mild fever and fatigue that last about one day. The Moderna vaccine will be reviewed soon, but so far it looks very similar to the Pfizer product. Unless something surprising is found, I expect it will also be suitable for every adult.”
Additional information:
Many people in the clinical trials had some short-term side effects from taking the COVID-19 vaccine. The side effects are usually not serious -- one of the most common is a sore or achy arm. Some people develop low-grade fevers or chills and feel tired. This is because the vaccine is working and causing a response from the immune system. As always, follow NADF’s stress dosing guidelines to determine if you need additional steroids.
- Remember that the Pfizer vaccine is given in two doses three weeks apart. It is more common to have side effects from the second dose than the first. You must receive both doses to get the full benefit from the vaccine.
- The vaccine may not be available to most people until spring or summer of 2021. Because of the limited supply of the vaccines, people at very high risk, such as health care providers and people who live in nursing homes or assisted living facilities, will get a vaccine before people whose risk of illness is lower.
As always, you and your doctor should decide together if the vaccine is right for you and, if so, which one.
COVID-19 FOR EMERGENCY AND HOSPITAL PERSONNEL - ADULTS AND CHILDREN WITH ADRENAL INSUFFICIENCY
NADF was conducting a survey regarding your concerns about COVID-19 with adrenal insufficiency. Survey responses have provided excellent insight into concerns regarding COVID-19. Specifically, many people with adrenal insufficiency are worried that EMS, Emergency Room or hospital staff will not know how to treat them properly. To address this concern, NADF has created a one-page ‘handout’ document with medical staff instructions for adults and children. As always, the guidance provided in the document has been fully approved by our medical advisors. Download the PDF below for printing. For downloading to your mobile device, click here FOR ADULTS and here FOR CHILDREN.
If you do find yourself in a situation where you have COVID-19 and need to go to the hospital, please don’t hesitate to hand this to all medical personnel involved in your care.
Note: The information on the treatment of Covid-19 continues to evolve, and our recommendations may change in the future. We will continue to update the document as required.
If you do find yourself in a situation where you have COVID-19 and need to go to the hospital, please don’t hesitate to hand this to all medical personnel involved in your care.
Note: The information on the treatment of Covid-19 continues to evolve, and our recommendations may change in the future. We will continue to update the document as required.
COVID-19 DOSING RECOMMENDATIONS
Adrenal Insufficient Patient Who Recovered from Coronavirus
My name is Kristin Martinez, I’m a 34-year-old pharmacist with Addison’s disease from New York. Knowing that even “minor” illnesses aren’t necessarily minor for someone with adrenal insufficiency, I had begun to worry about the novel coronavirus in the end of January.
SAFETY ADVICE AS COMMUNITIES BEGIN TO REOPEN
June 1, 2020
Communities and businesses across the country are beginning to reopen, and more and more people are outside. How do you stay safe?
The safest thing to do, especially for those of us who are considered high risk, is still to stay home as much as possible. But if you do go out, there are ways to reduce the risks:
Check out the CDC website for protecting yourself and others: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/index.html
Make sure you continue to:
Please see these links for excellent articles to help protect your health and the health of those around during the reopening of our areas this summer:
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/05/23/861325631/from-camping-to-dining-out-heres-how-experts-rate-the-risks-of-14-summer-activit
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/index.html
Continue to stay safe for ourselves, for those we love, and for everyone!
Communities and businesses across the country are beginning to reopen, and more and more people are outside. How do you stay safe?
The safest thing to do, especially for those of us who are considered high risk, is still to stay home as much as possible. But if you do go out, there are ways to reduce the risks:
- Avoid crowds and big gatherings
- Choose outside activities over indoor activities
- For indoor activities, check if the facility has been cleaned
Check out the CDC website for protecting yourself and others: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/index.html
Make sure you continue to:
- Wash your hands often
- Avoid close contact
- Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others
- Cover coughs and sneezes
- Clean and disinfect commonly used surfaces
- Monitor your health - watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19. Take your temperature if symptoms develop.
Please see these links for excellent articles to help protect your health and the health of those around during the reopening of our areas this summer:
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/05/23/861325631/from-camping-to-dining-out-heres-how-experts-rate-the-risks-of-14-summer-activit
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/index.html
Continue to stay safe for ourselves, for those we love, and for everyone!
COVID-19 - ADRENAL INSUFFICIENCY AND STEROID DOSING GUIDELINES
April 10, 2020
- When individuals with adrenal insufficiency (AI) are not sick and therefore not requiring stress dosing, they should not be taking higher or lower doses of hydrocortisone hoping it will protect them from getting sick.
ADRENAL INSUFFICIENCY STUDY EXPANDS TO COVID MONITORING
This pandemic is frightening for everyone, but particularly for those who have chronic medical conditions. Adrenal insufficient patients have twin risks of possibly “catching” COVID-19 more easily and the additional problem of adrenal crisis complicating their ability to respond to a major illness.
CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) UPDATE
On March 24th, The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) provided an important Coronavirus (COVID-19) position statement for people with Adrenal Insufficiency and Cushing’s Syndrome. You can read their statement here:
UPDATE ON RECENT NADF MEDICAL DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
March 10, 2020
We’ve become aware of a study in the European Journal of Endocrinology. This is an important study and have an updated response from NADF Medical Director Paul Margulies, MD, FACE, FACP.
We’ve become aware of a study in the European Journal of Endocrinology. This is an important study and have an updated response from NADF Medical Director Paul Margulies, MD, FACE, FACP.
