Pfizer vaccine: difference between emergency use authorization and final approval

Submitted by Marcos Javier Ramos-Benítez on 27 August 2021 - 12:54pm

Last Monday, the Pfizer - BioNTech vaccine received final approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is important to clarify that this approval does not mean that the vaccine was experimental until last Sunday. The experimental phase of this vaccine culminated with clinical trials in November 2020. During this experimental phase the company, in this case Pfizer, gathered the necessary evidence to determine that the vaccine is safe and over 90% effective in protecting against COVID-19 . Although its effectiveness has decreased somewhat with the appearance of the delta variant, the vaccine is still the best weapon to protect us from serious illness, hospitalization, or death from COVID-19.

What you should know about leptospirosis

Submitted by Marcos Javier Ramos-Benítez on 10 October 2017 - 6:51pm

Due to the floods and lack of potable water caused by Hurricane Maria, leptospirosis has become a real public health concern for Puerto Rico. There are two suspected deaths due to leptospirosis and five cases with symptoms consistent with this disease so far.

Leptospirosis is caused by bacteria. Infection occurs when people come into contact with surfaces, soil, water, or food contaminated with urine from rats, mice, and other infected animals. One can get infected through the nose, mouth, eyes and open wounds on the skin. In addition, the disease can be contracted by drinking contaminated water.