This content is for healthcare professionals only.

This activity is funded by an independent medical education grant from Moderna, Inc.

This medical education is jointly provided by USF Health and touchIME.

Faculty & Disclosures

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    Faculty & Disclosures
    Dr Farhan Fazal

    Sheikh Khalifa Medical City Hospital,
    Abu Dhabi, UAE

    Dr Farhan Fazal is an infectious disease doctor working at the Sheikh Khalifa Medical City Hospital in Abu Dhabi. He trained in internal medicine and has an infectious disease fellowship from the prestigious All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi. Dr Fazal is also a fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists, UK. He was part of the COVID-19 expert committee in his home town during the COVID-19 pandemic and played a vital part in promoting COVID-19 guidelines and vaccination to healthcare workers and the public. read more

    Dr Fazal is a passionate teacher and considers teaching young doctors about responsible use of antibiotics a vital part in the fight against antimicrobial resistance. He has many national and international publications to his credit. He has been invited as a speaker to many infectious disease and internal medicine conferences. His areas of interest are infections in immunocompromised patients and tropical infections, with a special focus on haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.

    Dr Farhan Fazal has no interests/relationships or affiliations to disclose in relation to this activity.
    Dr Nada Melhem

    American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon

    Dr Nada Melhem is an associate professor of infectious diseases and microbiology (virology and immunology) at the Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut. Dr Melhem is currently the director of the Division of Health Professions and the chair of the Medical Laboratory Sciences Program at the Faculty of Health Sciences. read more

    Dr Melhem has developed a transdisciplinary and translational research programme addressing viral immunopathogenesis and the epidemiology of viruses, and their impact on global human health. Dr Melhem’s research programme focuses on HIV type 1 and viral diarrhoeal diseases, specifically noroviruses and COVID-19. Dr Melhem is currently leading the SARS-CoV-2 National Surveillance Genomic Program for healthcare workers and hospitalized patients.

    Dr Melhem is an elected council member of the International Society for Infectious Diseases. She is also a member of the National Committee for Communicable Diseases, serving as a scientific advisor to the minister of public health and the director general of the ministry in Lebanon. Dr Melhem serves as a member of the National COVID-19 Crisis Management Committee in Lebanon, the WHO COVID-19 Epidemiology Technical Advisory Group and the SARS-CoV-2 Evolution Technical Advisory Group. She is also the representative of low-resource settings on rapid evidence assessment of drug candidates of the COVID-19 Clinical Research Coalition. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Melhem has served on the COVID-19 Expert Committee at the American University of Beirut.

    Dr Nada Melhem has no interests/relationships or affiliations to disclose in relation to this activity.
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    touchINFECTIOUS DISEASES touchINFECTIOUS DISEASES
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    What are the benefits and risks of COVID-19 vaccination?
    What prevents people from getting vaccinated?
    How can healthcare workers help to improve COVID-19 vaccine uptake?
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    COVID-19, Vaccines, Viral Infections, Respiratory Infections CE/CME accredited

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    Practical considerations for COVID-19 vaccination in the Middle East

    Learning Objectives

    After watching this activity, participants should be better able to:

    • Outline the benefits and risks associated with COVID-19 vaccines
    • Identify reasons for low COVID-19 vaccine uptake in the Middle East
    • Discuss approaches to increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake, with a focus on the role of healthcare workers
    Overview

    In this activity, experts in infectious diseases respond to questions from the primary care, respiratory and infectious diseases communities on the reasons for low COVID-19 vaccine uptake in the Middle East, the benefits and risks of vaccination, and how healthcare workers can help to improve acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine.

    This activity is jointly provided by USF Health and touchIME. read more

    Target Audience

    Infectious disease specialists, respiratory disease specialists and primary care physicians involved in the management of COVID-19 infection.

    Disclosures

    USF Health adheres to the Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. All individuals in a position to influence content have disclosed to USF Health any financial relationship with an ineligible organization. USF Health has reviewed and mitigated all relevant financial relationships related to the content of the activity. The relevant relationships are listed below. All individuals not listed have no relevant financial relationships.

    Faculty

    Dr Farhan Fazal has no interests/relationships or affiliations to disclose in relation to this activity.

    Dr Nada Melhem has no interests/relationships or affiliations to disclose in relation to this activity.

    Content reviewer

    Sally F. Alrabaa, MD, has no financial interests/relationships or affiliations in relation to this activity.

    Touch Medical Directors

    Sola Neunie and Samantha Waite have no financial interests/relationships or affiliations in relation to this activity.

    USF Health Office of Continuing Professional Development and touchIME staff have no financial interests/relationships or affiliations in relation to this activity.

    Requirements for Successful Completion

    In order to receive credit for this activity, participants must review the content and complete the post-test and evaluation form. Statements of credit are awarded upon successful completion of the post-test and evaluation form.

    If you have questions regarding credit please contact cpdsupport@usf.edu.

    Accreditations

    Physicians

    This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through a joint providership of USF Health and touchIME. USF Health is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

    USF Health designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

    The European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS) – European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME) has an agreement of mutual recognition of continuing medical education (CME) credit with the American Medical Association (AMA). European physicians interested in converting AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM into European CME credit (ECMEC) should contact the UEMS (www.uems.eu).

    Advanced Practice Providers

    Physician Assistants may claim a maximum of 1.0 Category 1 credits for completing this activity. NCCPA accepts AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM from organizations accredited by ACCME or a recognized state medical society.

    The AANPCP accepts certificates of participation for educational activities approved for AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM by ACCME-accredited providers. APRNs who participate will receive a certificate of completion commensurate with the extent of their participation.

    Date of original release: 30 May 2023. Date credits expire: 30 May 2024.

    If you have any questions regarding credit please contact cpdsupport@usf.edu.

    This activity is CE/CME accredited

    To obtain the CE/CME credit(s) from this activity, please complete this post-activity test.

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    Topics covered in this activity

    COVID-19 / Vaccines / Viral Infections / Respiratory Infections
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    This Activity Is Funded By:

    An independent medical education grant from Moderna, Inc.
    This activity is jointly provided by USF Health and touchIME.

    The information provided by this CME activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical/clinical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition.

    USF is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action / Equal Access Institution.

    USF Health is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, the American Nurses Credentialing Center and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education to provide continuing education to healthcare professionals. As an accredited provider, USF Health is required to disclose personal information to relevant accredited bodies that certify CME to process credits/contact hours, comply with reporting requirements, and for internal recordkeeping and regulatory purposes. USF Health does not share or sell any individual’s contact information or unique identifiers to any commercial supporter, advertiser, or third party without the specific permission of the individual.

    Unapproved products or unapproved uses of approved products may be discussed by the faculty; these situations may reflect the approval status in one or more jurisdictions. The presenting faculty have been advised by touchIME and USF Health to ensure that they disclose any such references made to unlabelled or unapproved use. No endorsement by touchIME or USF Health of any unapproved products or unapproved uses is either made or implied by mention of these products or uses in touchIME or USF Health activities. touchIME and USF Health accept no responsibility for errors or omissions.

    This content is intended for healthcare professionals.

    Date of original release: 30 May 2023. Date credits expire: 30 May 2024.

    Claim Credit
    touchIN CONVERSATION
    Practical considerations for COVID-19 vaccination in the Middle East
    1.0 CE/CME credit
    Question 1/4
    A 50-year-old visitor to your clinic has told you they have not received the COVID-19 vaccine as they know someone who had a heart attack after having the vaccine, and they are concerned about the side effects. What would you tell them about the evidence for the risk of CV events following COVID-19 vaccination?

    CV, cardiovascular.

    Side effects are mostly mild following COVID-19 vaccination and include headache, nausea, fever, fatigue and injection-site reactions.1,2 While there have been reports of CV events, including myocarditis, no causal relationship has been established.3 However, COVID-19 infection has been demonstrated to be associated with an increased risk of composite CV outcomes, including CV death, acute heart failure, myocardial infarction or pulmonary embolism,4 and so the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks.3

    Abbreviation

    CV, cardiovascular.

    References

    1. Almohaya AM, et al. Vaccine. 2022;40:477–82.
    2. Abdullah RY, et al. NSC Nursing. 2022;2:1–22.
    3. Hana D, et al. Curr Probl Cardiol. 2022;47:101077.
    4. Tereshchenko LG, et al. Am J Cardiol. 2022;179:102–9.
    Question 2/4
    A parent tells you that their 11-year-old child has not been vaccinated against COVID-19, but that they have already had the infection. They only had mild symptoms and the parent is not convinced of the need to vaccinate their child. What would you tell them to encourage them to vaccinate their child?

    While COVID-19 infection is mostly mild in children, some may still experience severe disease, particularly those who have underlying health conditions. Children may also be at risk of long-term complications from COVID-19, and therefore vaccination is advised to help prevent infection. Vaccinating children is important to help reduce community transmission and to avoid exclusion from daily activities, such as attending school.

    Reference

    Zimmermann P, et al. Arch Dis Child. 2022;107:e1.

    Question 3/4
    What strategy can be used by HCWs to address misinformation and improve public understanding of COVID-19 vaccination?

    HCW, healthcare worker.

    Misinformation spread by social media has led to misconceptions about the vaccine in terms of safety and efficacy, and even conspiracy theories.1 Effective engagement with the public to inform expectations is needed to help improve public trust in the vaccine.2 HCWs play a key role in public acceptance of the vaccine, and should be encouraged to help support vaccine uptake.3

    Abbreviation

    HCW, healthcare worker.

    References

    1. Al Naam YA, et al. Public Health Pract (Oxf). 2022;3:100258.
    2. Schoch-Spana M, et al. Vaccine. 2021;39:6004–12.
    3. Thomson A, Watson M. Vaccine. 2016;34:1989–92.
    Question 4/4
    What would you tell someone who is immunocompromised and concerned about their eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine?

    People who are immunocompromised, including people living with HIV or organ transplant recipients, are at an increased risk of severe disease and death after COVID-19 infection.1,2 Clinical data have shown that the response to the vaccines may be lower in people who are immunocompromised, although response can be improved with additional doses, so receiving the full course of vaccinations and available booster doses is important.1,2

    References

    1. Galmiche S, et al. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2022;28:163–77.
    2. Lee ARYB, et al. BMJ. 2022;376:e068632.
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    This Activity Is Funded By:

    An independent medical education grant from Moderna, Inc.
    This activity is jointly provided by USF Health and touchIME.

    The information provided by this CME activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical/clinical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition.

    USF is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action / Equal Access Institution.

    USF Health is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, the American Nurses Credentialing Center and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education to provide continuing education to healthcare professionals. As an accredited provider, USF Health is required to disclose personal information to relevant accredited bodies that certify CME to process credits/contact hours, comply with reporting requirements, and for internal recordkeeping and regulatory purposes. USF Health does not share or sell any individual’s contact information or unique identifiers to any commercial supporter, advertiser, or third party without the specific permission of the individual.

    Unapproved products or unapproved uses of approved products may be discussed by the faculty; these situations may reflect the approval status in one or more jurisdictions. The presenting faculty have been advised by touchIME and USF Health to ensure that they disclose any such references made to unlabelled or unapproved use. No endorsement by touchIME or USF Health of any unapproved products or unapproved uses is either made or implied by mention of these products or uses in touchIME or USF Health activities. touchIME and USF Health accept no responsibility for errors or omissions.

    This content is intended for healthcare professionals.

    Date of original release: 30 May 2023. Date credits expire: 30 May 2024.

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