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July 12, 2021

Different versions, or variants, of the virus that causes COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) are emerging around the world. Although it sounds alarming, viruses always change via mutation. As scientists work to learn more about these variants and how they may impact the United States, Stephen Goldstein, PhD, a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Human Genetics at University of Utah, shared information about what is currently known.

July 07, 2021

Desde el comienzo de la pandemia de Covid-19, la coagulación de la sangre se ha identificado como un efecto secundario del SARS-CoV-2 y, posteriormente, como un efecto secundario, extremadamente raro, de algunas vacunas Covid-19. El doctor Yazan Abou-Ismail, MD, hematólogo de University of Utah Health, responde preguntas sobre la asociación de los coágulos de sangre con COVID-19 y ciertas vacunas.

July 07, 2021

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, blood clotting has been identified as a side effect of SARS-CoV-2 and later as an extremely rare side effect of some COVID-19 vaccines. Yazan Abou-Ismail, MD, a hematologist at University of Utah Health, answered questions about the association of blood clots with COVID-19 and certain vaccines.

June 01, 2021

The impact of COVID-19 among older adults in Utah looks a lot different today than in the fall and early winter of 2020. The number of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths have dramatically dropped among adults aged 70 and older since February 2021 following the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines. More than 80 percent of older adults have now been vaccinated in Utah.

May 24, 2021

Children age 12- to 15- years old can now get the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine following Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the Food and Drug Administration. Results from a Phase 3 clinical trial testing the COVID-19 vaccine in this age group suggest it is highly effective at protecting them from disease.

May 11, 2021

In partnership with Community Nursing Services (CNS), University of Utah Health’s Wellness Bus will host free COVID-19 vaccination clinics in the month of May. U of U Health is proud to collaborate with CNS in the ongoing effort to serve underrepresented communities while helping slow the spread of COVID-19.

May 07, 2021

The CDC and the FDA recommended restarting use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine on April 23, 2021, after a temporary pause. After carefully reviewing the data, the CDC and FDA determined that the benefits of getting the J&J vaccine far outweigh potential risks.

April 14, 2021

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the CDC recognized face masks, physical distancing, frequent hand washing, and staying home when sick as important tools in helping reduce the spread of Sars-CoV-2. Combined with COVID-19 vaccines, these practices will help reach herd immunity and eventually get us back to “normal.” But it’s too early to relax now.

April 13, 2021

Based on recommendation from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U of U Health is pausing distribution of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.

April 09, 2021

Vaccinations for COVID-19 are becoming widely available with the goal of achieving “herd immunity”—a point at which enough people are immune to COVID-19 that the virus can no longer spread. As immunity continues to build at different rates in different places, what do we need to know as we wait for the nation and the world to reach full herd immunity?

April 05, 2021

Pregnancy has its own unique challenges. Throw in a COVID-19 pandemic and the situation becomes more complicated. With little information available about how coronavirus impacts pregnant and lactating women, it’s important to rely on health care professionals for advice.

March 26, 2021

All Utahns 16 years and older are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Utah. University of Utah Health encourages everyone to get vaccinated to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and bring an end to the pandemic. All COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective at preventing serious illness from COVID-19, including hospitalization and death.

March 25, 2021

As health care systems across the country work rapidly to distribute COVID-19 vaccines as efficiently as possible, there is a lot of information that is being shared on social media and online. Sankar Swaminathan, MD, chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at University of Utah Health, sets the record straight on some of the myths about COVID-19 vaccines.

March 09, 2021

With three COVID-19 vaccines available in the U.S., selecting one might seem difficult. U of U Health infectious disease specialist Sankar Swaminathan, MD, explains why the best vaccine is the first one that is made available to you.

February 23, 2021

Getting vaccinated for COVID-19 is a big step toward protecting yourself, your family, and your friends from the virus that causes this potentially deadly disease. But as well as the vaccine works, we still have a long way to go before we can shop, socialize, and travel without using face masks and practicing social distancing. Here are a few reasons why.

February 17, 2021

Folks who've gotten through a COVID-19 infection might naturally question whether they need to get a coronavirus vaccination when their turn comes. Experts say they really need the shot anyway, because even after having COVID they might be vulnerable to reinfection.

January 22, 2021

The risk of getting infected with COVID-19 and experiencing severe illness increases with age. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), older adults are at the highest risk.

January 20, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a lot of uncertainty and worries among vulnerable populations, including pregnant people. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pregnant people are at an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and death compared to non-pregnant people.

January 07, 2021

University of Utah Health began administering the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to frontline health care workers. Distribution of the second dose marks another milestone as U of U Health has vaccinated more than half of its health care personnel (HCP).

January 07, 2021

University of Utah Health began administering the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to frontline health care workers. Distribution of the second dose marks another milestone as U of U Health has vaccinated more than half of its health care personnel (HCP).

December 15, 2020

University of Utah Health vaccinated its first round of frontline health care staff after receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine just hours earlier. A registered nurse in the medical intensive care unit (MICU) at U of U Health, was the first front line health care worker in the state of Utah to be vaccinated. Four other U of U Health care workers, including an emergency physician, respiratory therapist, health care assistant, and environmental services worker, were among the first group to receive the vaccine.

December 11, 2020

Older adults are at greater risk of hospitalization or dying if diagnosed with COVID-19. As Utah continues to see high transmission rates during the holidays, it’s more important now than ever to protect those who are most vulnerable to the virus.

December 09, 2020

University of Utah Health is preparing to receive and distribute COVID-19 vaccines while the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). The vaccines will be rolled out in phases and provided based on availability.

December 04, 2020

In anticipation of Emergency Use Authorization by the Food and Drug Administration, University of Utah Health is prepared to properly store and distribute COVID-19 vaccines. A vaccine is a first step toward ending the pandemic and getting life back to normal.

March 26, 2020

As a family, you can plan and make decisions now that will protect you and your family during a COVID-19 outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has made a checklist of important steps families can prepare for now if a family member or relative becomes infected.

March 10, 2020

Fever, cough, and shortness of breath are all potential symptoms of both influenza and the coronavirus disease, also known as COVID-19. Both diseases can cause mild to severe illness, and both can pose serious complications to high-risk groups. So how does someone know if they have the flu or COVID-19?

February 25, 2020

Our world was a much scarier place before vaccines. Polio, tetanus, and diphtheria are all among the afflictions that used to be major concerns for people everywhere. While these diseases do still exist, their infection rates and impact have been reduced to the point where most of us hardly give them a thought. That peace of mind is the result of vaccines.

June 21, 2017

“Yarraman flu is a virus quickly infecting the U.S. .…” The mock announcement was enough to make readers worry. But when the name of the hypothetical illness was changed to “horse flu”, readers reported being less motivated to get a vaccine that would prevent them from contracting the illness. The research was published as two studies in Vaccine and Emerging Infectious Diseases.

January 21, 2016

The campaign to immunize children to protect against the cancer-causing human papillomavirus (HPV) has never quite gone mainstream. And new research from University of Utah College of Nursing Assistant Professor Deanna Kepka reveals just how difficult it might be to meet national objectives for herd immunity.

October 20, 2015

A study led by the University of Utah School of Medicine has identified molecular mechanisms that control an immune cell’s ability to remember. They found that in helper T cells, the proteins Oct1 and OCA-B work together to put immune response genes on standby so that they are easily activated when the body is re-exposed to a pathogen. The research, which could inform strategies for developing better vaccines, was performed in collaboration with scientists from The Broad Institute and University of Michigan, and published in The Journal of Experimental Medicine.