Author Archives: Brad Landicho

MARAC Advisory Statement Update About COVID-19 Vaccines

October 5, 2021
September 24, 2021 — News about COVID-19 continues to move quickly as we weather the pandemic. The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America’s Medical and Research Advisory Committee provides the following updates on vaccination recommendations:

1.  Individuals with SCD are now eligible for the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The CDC recommends that people who are immunocompromised or have medical conditions with poor antibody production receive vaccine boosters. One of the eligible conditions is asplenia (no spleen function). Because of the relationship between asplenia and SCD, sickle cell patients are eligible to receive a third dose of the vaccine if they have already received the first two doses.

2.  If you have not had the first dose of the vaccine, please do so as soon as possible. Nearly everybody is eligible to receive their first shot. Only children under age 12 or individuals with known allergies to the vaccine ingredients are ineligible. Thousands of individuals with SCD have now had the COVID-19 vaccine. Like the public, many had some side effects that went away after three days. Only a tiny number of individuals experienced sickle cell pain after their shot. A COVID-19 infection poses a great risk for people with SCD. The vaccine is a safe way to reduce that risk. To find a vaccine location near you, visit www.vaccines.gov.
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MARAC Issues Updated Covid-19 Guidance

September 20, 2021

The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America Medical and Research Advisory Committee has released two statements with updated COVID-19 guidance.

MARAC recommendations are making a minor shift to emphasize a more individualized approach and that people with sickle cell disease should have access to monoclonal antibody (mAbs) treatment according to establish guidelines, to prevent mild COVID from progressing to severe disease. Download the full statements below for more information.

MARAC-COVID-update      MARAC-statement-mAbs.pd

 

 

 

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Gene Therapy & Clinical Trials Webinar

September 19, 2021

September 27 | 5PM EST | Virtual

Learn about the history of gene therapy, why it was developed and what the process of a clinical trail looks like during this upcoming webinar. This event is presented by SCDAA and moderated by Kathy Norcott, executive director at Piedmont Health Services and Sickle Cell Agency. Click here to access the Zoom.

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Sickle Cell Speaks presents… Pass the Mic!

September 19, 2021

October 13 | 6:30PM EST | Sponsored by Global Blood Therapeutics

Interested in participating? Contact patientevents@sicklecellspeaks.info to learn more about submitting your video for the opportunity to be featured in the “Pass the Mic” karaoke competition.

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