First of all, vaccine update:
If you are eligible for a vaccine and have been unable to book an appointment to get inoculated, WellMed announced it would be reopening its reservation hotline on Tuesday morning, beginning at 8 a.m. Call 833-968-1745 to book an appointment. The line will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day until WellMed’s vaccine supply is spoken for. If phone lines are overwhelmed, one of two messages will be played:
- The line you are trying to reach is out of service. (cell phone users)
- All circuits are busy. Please try your call later. (landline users)
Select CVS Pharmacy stores in San Antonio are expected to begin administering vaccinations including for phase 1B residents beginning on Friday through a federal program. Go to CVS.com. Also part of the program is Walgreens, which will begin vaccinating eligible Bexar County employees Thursday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff said. I would also check H-E-B’s vaccination scheduler this week to see if they have appointments available in San Antonio.
Update on Ivermectin:
This drug has received a lot of attention as a possible treatment for Covid 19. The manufacturer, Merck, released a statement on Thursday regarding this use. Bottom line: it works for worms.
February 4, 2021 11:45 am EST
KENILWORTH, N.J., Feb. 4, 2021 – Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today affirmed its position regarding use of ivermectin during the COVID-19 pandemic. Company scientists continue to carefully examine the findings of all available and emerging studies of ivermectin for the treatment of COVID-19 for evidence of efficacy and safety. It is important to note that, to-date, our analysis has identified:
- No scientific basis for a potential therapeutic effect against COVID-19 from pre-clinical studies;
- No meaningful evidence for clinical activity or clinical efficacy in patients with COVID-19 disease, and;
- A concerning lack of safety data in the majority of studies.
We do not believe that the data available support the safety and efficacy of ivermectin beyond the doses and populations indicated in the regulatory agency-approved prescribing information.
Indications and Usage for STROMECTOL® (ivermectin)
Ivermectin is approved in the United States under the brand name STROMECTOL. STROMECTOL is indicated for the treatment of intestinal (i.e., nondisseminated) strongyloidiasis due to the nematode parasite Strongyloides stercoralis and for the treatment of onchocerciasis due to the nematode parasite Onchocerca volvulus.
STROMECTOL has no activity against adult Onchocerca volvulus parasites.
