SEPTEMBER 2016 Newsletter
In this issue...
* News about the nasal spray flu
vaccine
* Why antibiotics aren't always the
answer
* How you can manage your health
care 24-7
An Important Update to This Year's Flu
Vaccine Guidelines
In accordance with a recent recommendation from the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
(ACIP), Weill Cornell Medical Associates will not be offering FluMist--the
nasal spray version of influenza vaccine--during the 2016-2017 flu
season. The ACIP's recommendation is based on government data that
shows FluMist offered children aged 2 to 17 little or no protection against flu in
recent seasons. (This is contrary to results from earlier clinical trials,
which found that the spray outperformed injections in protecting children from
the flu.) As a result, the ACIP now advises that both children over 6 months
and adults should receive the flu shot instead.
Weill Cornell Medical Associates will begin offering the flu vaccine on
September 15. We offer the intramuscular flu shot, which is the standard shot
for those 6 months of age and older. It is a quadrivalent vaccine, meaning it
protects against 4 strains of the flu (the vaccine available at your local
pharmacy may only be trivalent, which protects against 3 strains of the virus.)
We also offer a high-dose flu shot for those 65 and older, which is trivalent
(there is no quadrivalent version). All of our vaccines are thimerosal (mercury)free.
While flu season typically peaks in January or later, fall is the best time to
make an appointment to get vaccinated since outbreaks do occasionally
occur earlier. Plus, it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to
develop in your body that protect you from the flu, so it's wise to get vaccinated
before the virus begins to spread.
Click here now to schedule your flu vaccine.
Antibiotics: When You Need Them and When
You Don't
When you're congested, coughing, and your throat is sore, asking your doctor for
an antibiotic might seem like the best thing to do. But depending on the type of
illness you have, we may not prescribe an antibiotic. Antibiotics only treat
bacterial infections such as strep throat, some pneumonia, and sinus infections.
They're ineffective against viral infections such as the common cold, most
coughs, and the flu.
Requesting an antibiotic for a viral illness won't improve your symptoms--and it
could even do more harm than good. The overuse and misuse of antibiotics has
resulted in increasing resistance, creating the growing threat of "superbugs" that
are getting harder and harder to treat. For this reason, the CDC recommends
that everyone avoid taking antibiotics when they aren't necessary.
Because viral and bacterial infections share several symptoms, it's important to
see your doctor to determine which type of illness you have. If a bacterial
infection is suspected, your doctor may perform tests to confirm the diagnosis
before prescribing antibiotics. If you have a viral infection, he or she can
recommend appropriate over-the-counter medications and self-care advice to
help ease your symptoms while your body fights the virus.
Have You Registered with Weill Cornell CONNECT?
It's easier than ever to manage your health care with our secure online
portal, Weill Cornell CONNECT. You can schedule appointments, send
messages to your doctor, and ask for prescription refills and specialist referrals
at any time. This free service also allows you to access important information
from your medical record, including test results and health summaries from
previous appointments. And it's a convenient way to review your invoices and
make payments. To register, simply ask your provider for an access code or
sign up online here.
Meet Our Newest Physician
Asaf Cohen, M.D.
Dr. Cohen received his undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
He obtained his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas,
and completed his residency in Family Medicine at the Mount Sinai Beth Israel
Residency in Urban Family Medicine in 2006. Dr. Cohen then practiced as a primary
care physician and eventually also as a site medical director at Open Door, a
federally qualified health center in Westchester County. He is board-certified in
Family Medicine.
Dr. Cohen is excited to provide comprehensive primary care to both adults and
children of all ages. He will be joining Weill Cornell Medical Associates at our 2315
Broadway (@ W. 84th St.) location next month.
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