HSS Greater Boston Chapter organizes a COVID-19 vaccine webinar

The Greater Boston chapter of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh organized an awareness webinar in preparation for the general availability of the COVID-19 vaccine on Saturday, Feb 6th. It was a moderated session with three local area physicians – Dr Shubhada Javlekar, Dr Samiksha Meel and Dr Suresh Mamidala. The hour long session was moderated by Dr Yogesh Rathi, a volunteer with HSS, with engaging Q&A with the panelist doctors. The session started with the physicians narrating their own experiences with receiving the vaccine, mild symptoms that are quickly overcome; motivation that they have been providing to fellow healthcare staff which were quite encouraging. The questions from the audience included simple ones as how to register and gather information about vaccine for various age groups, to more complex ones related to side effects, pre-existing conditions and what to do if experiencing any post vaccination symptoms.

The session was very engaging and left the audience satisfied with all their doubts addressed and questions answered. Dr Samiksha Meel, who specializes in Pediatrics, provided great information on the approach and readiness by area hospitals for children 16+, resources available for younger children, and how to contact hospitals for additional information related to children. Dr Shubada Javlekar, who has been practicing medicine for the last 25 yrs in the MA area, spoke about vaccine dosage, scheduling intervals, cross over between different vaccine providers and what the future holds in terms of frequency of vaccination needs for COVID-19. Dr Suresh Mamidala, an internist and practicing physician for 20 years, currently treating COVID-19 patients, spoke about asymptomatic carriers and vaccination timing. The doctors also provided guidance on the sensitive topic of expecting and new mothers and the guidelines for vaccination for this special group.  Most of the audience was of Indian origin, so a good part of the Q&A also addressed topics related to elderly parents that are visiting the US from India, their eligibility for the vaccine, insurance coverage, and safety/travel tips.

The feedback received was that the session was very informative especially around vaccine distribution, side effects and symptom management.  You can view the full session on the HSS FB page (https://www.facebook.com/hss.us.ne).

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