Dear faculty, staff, students and residents:

With the intent to keep our faculty, staff and students informed on the continuously emerging information on the COVID-19 boosters, below is an update as of Sept. 1, 2021. We do expect additional changes in the recommendations and timelines based on new and evolving data.

• The CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met Aug. 30 and supported the FDA’s full approval of the Pfizer vaccine for ages 16 and older announced Aug. 23. The ACIP expressed hope that FDA approval will pave the way for greater acceptance of COVID vaccination among those who have yet to receive it.
• The CDC indicated that data informing booster administration remains unclear as to whether the recent increase in COVID-19 infections among those already vaccinated is due to waning immunity or the emergence of the highly contagious delta variant. Boosters for the general public have not yet been authorized nor approved by the CDC or FDA, which is required for boosters to be administered.
• The ACIP continues to collect safety and effectiveness data for the booster and it is anticipated that Pfizer will soon submit its booster authorization request to the FDA.

Please remember, information changes frequently. We anticipate further statements and recommendations from these agencies over the next several weeks. Until then, the CDC continues to advise against giving individuals an additional vaccine dose outside of the authorized third dose for immunocompromised persons.

The Vaccine Access and Assessment Task Force, appointed by President Henrich that is comprised of infectious disease, scientific and medical experts at UT Health San Antonio, will continue to follow the science, as well as the recommendations from federal agencies, on vaccine efficacy and administration of boosters. UT Health San Antonio will continue to administer first, second and third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to eligible individuals.

UT Health San Antonio is not administering COVID-19 boosters at this time; however, as we are closely monitoring this very dynamic field, we will provide ongoing updates as they become available.

Respectfully,

Robert Leverence, MD

Chief Medical Officer, UT Health Physicians

Meet our new provider, Prince Otchere, MD. Dr. Otchere is the director of our new cardio-oncology program and an assistant professor of cardiology. Born and raised in Ghana, Dr. Prince Otchere moved to Houston, Texas for tertiary education. His awareness of high blood pressure in his family and the discovery that some cardiovascular diseases are more prevalent in certain ethnic minorities inspired his decision to pursue a degree in Molecular Genetic Technology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, School of Health Professions in Houston. He completed his medical training at Loma Linda University School of Medicine, in Loma Linda, California. Subsequently, he completed his internal medicine residency, cardiology fellowship and a sub-specialization in cardio-oncology at Kettering Medical Center in Ohio. Dr. Otchere is board-certified in cardio-oncology, echocardiography, nuclear cardiology and internal medicine

Dr. Otchere’s research interests include developing a cardiac risk prediction tool to help oncologists anticipate patients who are most at risk of developing cardiotoxicity. He is currently enrolled at Harvard University T.H. Chan School of Public Health where is working on an MPH in Epidemiology.

Dr. Otchere is committed to providing compassionate cardiovascular care to cancer patients who are about to undergo cardiotoxic therapy with radiation and chemotherapy. His services help mitigate heart failure and valve disease, and may also be beneficial to pediatric cancer patients at high risk of coronary disease caused by radiation.

The countdown is on to football season! UT Health San Antonio is the official health care provider for UTSA Athletics. Come out to the Mays Cancer Center’s “Kick Cancer” tailgate event on Sept. 11, from 2 – 5 p.m. at the Alamodome, to compete against your friends and family, and practice your kicking skills at our 30 foot 3-point field goal kick challenge. Enter to win prizes and hang out with fellow fans as the Roadrunners take on the Lamar University Cardinals at the Alamodome.

Follow UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to see all the updates for the big event. Be sure to like, share, retweet and tag us for a chance to win a UT Health San Antonio cooler full of prizes! 

WHAT: Mays Cancer Center’s “Kick Cancer” tailgate event

WHEN: Sept. 11, 2021 from 2 – 5 p.m

WHERE: Alamodome