PRN Meeting: February 17, 2021 Jointly provided by the Medical Society of the State of New York, at a Zoom webinar, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m (EST).

Target Audience:

Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, and Physician Assistants caring for people at risk for, or infected with HIV and/or viral hepatitis.

Course Director: James F. Braun, DO, President, Physicians' Research Network

Moderator: William M. Valenti, MD, Chair, Infectious Diseases Committee of the Medical Society of the State of New York

Guest Speakers and Presentations:

Fighting a Moving Target: SARS-CoV-2 Evolution and Viral Escape in COVID-19

Jonathan Z. Li, MD, MMSc

Assistant Professor of Medicine
Director of the Harvard/Brigham Virology Specialty Laboratory
Director of the Harvard University Center for AIDS Research Clinical Core
Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA

From our experience with HIV, we all appreciate the impact of viral mutations.  In this PRN presentation, Jonathan Li discusses the evolution, viral escape, persistence, reinfection, and novel strains of Sars-CoV-2 and how they are affecting the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Learning Objectives:

At the completion of this educational session, learners will:

1. Contrast viral evolution in SARS-CoV-2 with other viruses.
2. Compare SARS-CoV-2 persistence versus reinfection.
3. Define novel strains of SARS-CoV-2 and their impact on the epidemic.

Vaccines for the Prevention of COVID-19: An Unprecedented Need: An Unprecedented Response

Susan J. Little, MD

Professor of Medicine
Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health
Co-Director of the Antiviral Research Center
University of California San Diego, CA

In this crucial and timely presentation, Susan Little compares and contrasts currently available mrna vaccines to each other and to the pending adenovirus and protein subunit vaccines in development.  Dr. Little covers other important topics including vaccine hesitancy, limits on currently available data, and how to report adverse experiences in your patient population during post-licensure surveillance.

Learning Objectives:

At the completion of this educational session, learners will:

1. Understand the safety and efficacy of the Moderna and Pfizer derived from US Phase 3 clinical trials.
2. Know how to counsel patients on the risks and benefits of receiving these mRNA vaccines.
3. Be able to report adverse experiences in your patient population during post-licensure surveillance.
4. Understand how current limitations in available data shape ongoing recommendations for nonpharmacologic interventions.

Accreditation Statement: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY) and the Physicians’ Research Network (PRN). The Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing Medical Education for physicians.

The Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY) designates this live activity for a maximum of 2.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

ABIM MOC Recognition Statement: Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 2 Medical Knowledge MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. Participants will earn MOC points equivalent to the amount of CME credits claimed for the activity. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

Disclosure Statement:

Dr. Braun (Planner/Course Director) has no relevant financial relationships to disclose. Dr. William M. Valenti (Moderator) has no relevant financial relationships to disclose. Dr. Jonathan Z. Li (Presenter) has no relevant financial relationships to disclose. Dr. Susan J. Little (Presenter) has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Financial Support:

This PRN CME activity is funded in part by unrestricted educational grants from:
Gilead Sciences; Janssen Therapeutics, a division of Janssen Products, LP; Merck & Co.; and ViiV Healthcare