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Consultant cardiologist Chris Ellis discusses the case of a colleague who, like many, is feeling the strain of COVID-19 – as a front-line healthcare worker, he will regularly meet COVID-positive patients, yet he is one of those least protected by the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine
Kia ora and welcome to New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa
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1. Tartof SY, Slezak JM, Fischer H, et al. Effectiveness of mRNA BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine up to 6 months in a large integrated health system in the USA: a retrospective cohort study. Lancet 2021;398(10309):1407–16.
2. Barda N, Dagan N, Cohen C, et al. Effectiveness of a third dose of the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for preventing severe outcomes in Israel: an observational study. Lancet 2021; 29 October online.
Respiratory physician Lutz Beckert considers chronic obstructive pulmonary disease management, including the prevention of COPD, the importance of smoking cessation and pulmonary rehabilitation, and the lifesaving potential of addressing treatable traits. He also discusses the logic of inhaler therapy, moving from single therapy to dual and triple therapy when indicated, as well as other aspects of management
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