Data from an ongoing research study at the University of Arizona Health Sciences show that first responders – including firefighters, law enforcement, correctional officers and emergency medical service providers – are at elevated risk of COVID-19 infection compared with other essential workers and frontline health care personnel.

Evidence that the Moderna vaccine produces a higher level of antibodies than the Pfizer vaccine might give it an edge as a booster, some scientists say. Yet some people experience more side effects with Moderna, albeit mostly moderate ones, such as fatigue, muscle aches and chills. And the antibody difference between Pfizer and Moderna isn’t huge. “From the data we’ve got, Moderna is doing a touch bit better,” says Deepta Bhattacharya, PhD, a professor of immunobiology at the College of Medicine – Tucson. “We’re not talking orders of magnitude.”

Proceeds from the event will support melanoma research, community outreach, education and patient care in Arizona.

Telemundo Arizona: David Garcia, PhD, associate professor of health promotion sciences and Edgar Villavicencio, a research specialist from the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, discuss the consequences of obesity and the connection to culture, habits and lifestyle.

Many factors weaken the aging immune system. But vaccines—and booster doses—do offer protection from hospitalization and death. Experts say they still don’t have an adequate explanation for why older people were more susceptible to COVID-19 even before vaccines were available. “It’s just one of the great mysteries of the virus,” says Deepta Bhattacharya, PhD, professor of immunobiology at the College of Medicine – Tucson.

Regardless of legal status or nationality, the different Mexican consulate offices in Arizona offer free health services. “When you immigrate to the U.S., access is a challenge for many people. The health systems are different in both countries and therefore we need to educate the migrant population and connect them with health services,” said Cecilia Rosales, MD, MS, associate dean of community engagement and outreach at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health.

The relatively low number of West Nile cases has been a roadblock for development of a vaccine. In Phase III clinical trials, a significant number of individuals has to be infected and enrolled in order for a vaccine or treatment to demonstrate efficacy. Only a proven effective vaccine will be approved for use in humans, explained Deepta Bhattacharya, PhD, a professor of immunobiology at the College of Medicine – Phoenix. “That was one of the reasons why the SARS-CoV-2 vaccines were able to be deployed so quickly: at the time Pfizer and Moderna were testing the vaccine, there was a ton of community spread,” Dr. Bhattacharya said.

The article cites research led by Roberta Diaz Brinton, PhD, director of the Center for Innovation in Brain Science at the University of Arizona, on changes in the brain that occur during female midlife aging that lead to greater risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Caroline Berger is a wife, mother, grandmother, University of Arizona Health Sciences employee – and a breast cancer survivor of 16 years. She shares her journey and why it’s so important to trust yourself and find advocates.