COVID-19 Vaccines and PLHIV

an HIV TELEHEALTH TRAINING PROGRAM supplemental session

In March 2020, we were one of the first organizations in the Philippines to conduct a series of webinars on HIV and COVID related topics, as a supplemental learning for the HTTP graduates. The webinars were developed as a way to ensure the continuity of care for People Living With HIV (PLHIVs) and at-risk groups during the COVID-19 pandemic & ensuing lockdowns.

This webinar series greatly benefitted our HTTP graduates, as well as other primary care workers, by providing timely knowledge and awareness in order to adapt and respond to the challenges brought upon by the pandemic.

This year, as the Philippine government is about to roll out a national vaccination program against COVID-19, we are at a critical point where knowledge must be shared to HIV healthcare providers, and vaccine confidence boosted among PLHIVs, while focusing on the latest science and updates on HIV and COVID-19 vaccines.

Here are the Q&A topics that followed:

The most common question sent in by attendees was whether special provisions were to be made for PLHIV for easier access to the vaccine. Worries about confidentiality, disclosure, and unnecessary exposure to the public of immunocompromised individuals were the reasons given for desire for a more localized area of distribution.

We will follow up with the Department of Health for a statement regarding this concern.

HIV Telehealth Training Program lectures are online!

TOPIC Link
History & Epidemiology of HIV https://youtu.be/UxF19CZ6epU
Clinical Course of HIV https://youtu.be/bK9AWIiP3K8
The First Clinic Visit https://youtu.be/jFhiOtRpaGM
Antiretrovirals https://youtu.be/jKCdO6EttSM
Treatment Adherence https://youtu.be/lXWPKZtJf4w
Treatment Failure & Resistance https://youtu.be/HjNoN7A1r2Q
Long-term Complications of ART https://youtu.be/eQbnQNArtSQ
Starting ART during Opportunistic Infections https://youtu.be/gA5BQGuVdtA
Common Opportunistic Infections https://youtu.be/BszFmm6nydU
Hepatitis & HIV Co-infection https://youtu.be/dtd3q8F0P4A
Tuberculosis in HIV https://youtu.be/TwO0pHheKdY
Sexually Transmitted Infections https://youtu.be/4jsA9Y7zX0E
Dermatology https://youtu.be/jJjxGxhcjpU
Nutrition https://youtu.be/csE3M0kUcVE
Management of Dyslipidemia in HIV https://youtu.be/ey7LvtVOGps
Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission https://youtu.be/nF6xuWVFarc
Pediatric HIV https://youtu.be/F7IWUBUAQNE
Neurologic concerns in HIV https://youtu.be/5ecgf-xIFaw
Mental Health, Crisis Management, and Counseling https://youtu.be/cRp33hRcil4
PhilHealth OHAT Package https://youtu.be/CHbAWSW00RE
Harm Reduction https://youtu.be/Truxh2MWG3s
HIV & the Law https://youtu.be/Q7QdVdcXEGw
Stigma & Discrimination https://youtu.be/4_2MyhQKawc
Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Expression https://youtu.be/MjQIVw71laM
Trans Health https://youtu.be/6xWfyylwGOA
Self Care for Providers https://youtu.be/fCsj6lsZGqI

HIV and COVID-19

The HIV Telehealth Training Program (http), along with our partner experts, join us in creating the COVID-19 Supplemental Sessions for healthcare providers and our fellow Filipinos — hour long learning videos with live Q&As with our participants.

  1. COVID-19 101

Dr. Kate Leyritana discusses the basics of SARS-Cov-2 and COVID-19 disease. What testing and treatment modalities available locally, and how to approach someone who comes for a consult and presents with signs and symptoms.

This video was broadcasted on March 31, and some newer data may have come forth since then.

2. Life in the Time of COVID

How do we keep our homes and workplaces free from COVID-19? Dr. Angelo Ramos gives us some tips on how to stay safe while staying at home.

3. HIV Care Continuum During Philippine ECQ

Metro Manila, NCR, and eventually the whole of Luzon was placed on Enhanced Community Quarantine on March 12, 2020. Foremost on the minds of PLHIVs were how to get their ARTs when public transportation was unavailable. Benjamin Banguingan of DOH NCR explains how access to medications must remain universal despite the lockdown.

4. HIV and COVID-19

It has been reported widely that immunocompromised people are at high risk for mortality and complications once with COVID-19. Is this true? What’s the story on COVID and HIV? Dr. Louie Ocampo of UNAIDS enlightens us.

5. Communication and Resilience

Social Isolation with is not an easy thing to go through. How can we survive this? Do we come out of this as different versions of ourselves? Is there a New Normal we need to conform to?

Dr. Gia Sision and Dr. RJ Naguit discuss Mental Wellness while on lockdown, while Professor Beng Ramos-Mortel discusses Risk Communication strategies for our healthcare workers.

How to Connect Guide

JOINING FROM THE BROWSER

1. Go to http://zoom.us and click on Join a Meeting in the top right of the screen

 

2. Enter the Meeting ID of the session.

3. Click Start from your browser.

 

JOINING FROM YOUR ZOOM APP (PC or Mobile)

  1. Click Join.

2. Enter meeting number.  Enter your name in the format of NAME (POSITION, INSTITUTION). Leave the 2 boxes unchecked so we can see and hear you.

 

NOTES

• If you are using a desktop computer, you will need speakers and a microphone to join the meeting (for groups of two or more), or a headset (for individual participants).

 

• To turn on the webcam and microphone, please open Zoom and click on Settings (top right corner) and test your devices in the Audio/Video section.

 

• If you join the meeting before it starts, you will receive this notification.

• In the meantime, you can check the audio settings.

 

• If you are in the meeting and you need to fix our audio settings, look at the bottom left of your screen (for PC/laptop users)

 

• For problems encountered, participants may directly contact our coordinator at telehealth@ship.ph.