As the third winter of the coronavirus pandemic looms, more waves of COVID-19 are expected with few masking or social distancing restrictions in place. However, death and hospitalization rates are expected to be less severe compared to past pandemic winters largely due to vaccination drives, natural immunity, and the increasing availability of effective COVID-19 treatments.

In this episode, Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at the Global Healthy Living Foundation, provides an update on where we stand with protection and treatment against the virus and how patients, vaccinated or not, can work with health care professionals on getting themselves better care.

“So it's not just about the vaccines, but how do we move forward as a community, as researchers, as patient advocates, as health care professionals,” says Dr. Robert Popovian.

Among the highlights in this episode:

1:16 : 2,566 Americans passed away from COVID in the last seven days

1:47 : What we need to know about where we are in the pandemic right now

2:46 : Vaccine limitations, and options and treatments available for patients whose condition doesn’t allow for vaccination

4:01 : The limits of natural immunity antibodies, and the potential of antibody treatments

5:27 : What are some of the biggest hurdles to bring successful new treatments for COVID-19 to the market?

7:20 : Dr. Popovian provides an update on BCG vaccine studies and the potential ties to COVID-19 protection

9:33 : With so much time, money, research and development put forward to find the best protection against COVID-19, what are some of the medical advancements that have been generated by the pandemic?

11:08 : Where do we stand with nasal vaccination?

12:32 : Dr. Popovian shares some final thoughts

Contact Our Hosts

Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF: rpopovian@ghlf.org

Conner Mertens, Patient Advocate and Community Outreach Manager at GHLF: cmertens@ghlf.org

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