What you need to know about Pfizer and Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccines | Wilnesh News

U.S. health officials have long told patients that COVID-19 vaccines are updated each year as the virus mutates into new strains that can evade people’s immunity from previous vaccinations or infections. This is similar to how the U.S. rolls out a new flu vaccine every year.

This time, the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are designed to target a strain called KP.2, a descendant of the highly contagious omicron subvariant JN.1 that began circulating widely in the United States earlier this year.

The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Following last week’s approval, both Pfizer and Moderna said they expected the new vaccine to be available in pharmacies, hospitals and clinics across the United States “in the coming days.”

Walgreens said patients can now schedule vaccination appointments at stores across the country, according to a statement Thursday. The company noted that appointments will be available starting Sept. 6 for people ages 12 and older.

Most private insurance plans, as well as Medicare and Medicaid, cover the cost of the COVID-19 vaccination.

Novavax said in a statement last week that it was working “productively” with the FDA as it completes its review. Novavax expects its vaccine to be authorized in time for peak U.S. vaccination season

A continuous glucose monitor (CGM) is a small sensor that pierces the skin and measures blood sugar levels instantly. Glucose is a type of sugar that people get from carbohydrates and is the body’s main source of energy.

Everyone’s blood sugar levels fluctuate, but over time, high blood sugar levels can lead to serious health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease. CGM is often prescribed to diabetics so they can monitor blood sugar levels and alert them to emergencies.

Stelo is primarily designed for adults with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes who do not use insulin, although people without either condition can also use insulin. The device became available in the United States on Monday after being approved by the Food and Drug Administration in March.

Users can purchase one month of Stelo online for $99, or an ongoing subscription for $89 per month. Patients can also use flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts to cover expenses, Dexcom said. Dexcom is working with Amazon to complete Stelo deliveries.

I’ve been using this sensor for a few weeks now and I’ve learned a lot. I think this is a simple product that tries to understand your blood sugar data in an approachable way.

Once your sensor arrives at your home, everything you need is in the box. First, attach the sensor to your arm and pair it with the Stelo app.

The app walks you through exactly what to do, so there’s no need to stress. I cleaned the back of my right arm, placed the Dexcom applicator there, pressed the button, and the sensor popped right out. There is a small needle in the applicator, which looks a little disturbing, but I didn’t feel anything.

The CGM connects to the Stelo app via Bluetooth and then takes about half an hour to warm up.

When I first got to this point, I ran into a few issues. After my device warmed up, I received an error message that said “brief sensor problem.” It told me not to take off the CGM and said the problem would be resolved within three hours. I left it on for the rest of the day, but at night I noticed some light seeping around the sensor.

I decided to take that CGM off and you can peel it off like a sticker. I tried again with a new sensor on the other arm and it warmed up and worked fine. I no longer have any bleeding issues. If you encounter any problems while using Stelo, you can leave a message via the chat function on the website to ask questions or seek a replacement if necessary.

Overall, I think the sensor is relatively easy to wear. It’s waterproof and can last up to 15 days at a time (a new record for Dexcom). It was gray, about a quarter of an inch in size, and about half an inch thick. Although it sometimes snags when I wear the long sleeves, I feel like I can wear anything on top. I didn’t even notice it when I was sleeping.

I also found Stelo’s API easy to use, and I think Dexcom does a good job of presenting the data in a way that doesn’t feel overwhelming or confusing.

On the Stelo home page, you will see your latest blood glucose readings, updated every 15 minutes. You’ll also see a graph of your daily readings, which includes a green shaded area to indicate your “target range.” Dexcom encourages users to strive to maintain blood glucose levels within this range in accordance with existing medical standards.

The tab next to Home is the Activity page, where you can log meals, activities, finger sticks (another way to measure blood sugar), or other notes. You don’t need to record every little detail of your day, but Dexcom Chief Operating Officer Jake Leach told me it’s important to record when you experience a blood sugar spike.

Blood sugar spikes occur when the amount of sugar in the blood increases quickly and then decreases. This often happens after eating. Stelo notifies you when you hit a noticeable spike, and logging entries can help you reflect on what might have caused the spike, Leach said.

If this is your first time using CGM, I definitely recommend reading the articles in the Learning tab of the app. They’re short and help break down the concepts of what glucose is, what affects it, and why it’s important.

In just a few weeks, I learned a lot about how my body responds to food and activity using Stelo. Now that the technology is available over-the-counter, I wouldn’t be surprised if CGM becomes the next big tech wearable in the U.S.

Please feel free to send any tips, suggestions, story ideas and data to Ashley at ashley.capoot@nbcuni.com.