On Dec. 7, a panel of Mayo Clinic physician experts presented “COVID-19 Updates and Vaccine Information” to community members across southeast Minnesota in a virtual community forum attended by 200 community members.

The four Mayo Clinic panelists included moderator Robert Albright Jr., D.O., newly appointed regional vice president in the southeast Minnesota region of Mayo Clinic Health System; and Deepi Goyal, M.D., regional chair of practice in the southeast Minnesota region. They were joined by Melanie Swift, M.D., medical director, Mayo Clinic Physician Health Center; and associate medical director of Occupational Health Services; and Robert Jacobson, M.D., pediatrician and medical director for primary care immunizations.

Each panel member discussed topics relevant to their expertise, including:

• Mayo Clinic's unique patient care model that provides collaborative cutting edge care and best available treatments for people with COVID-19.
• The safety and review processes of COVID-19 vaccines, and vaccine hesitancy.
• Vaccine distribution phases, priorities, safety of health care workers.

The attendees' questions focused on vaccine distribution to various populations, vaccine efficacy and safety, COVID-19 testing and treatments, and whether or not we will still be wearing masks after the vaccine is available. Panel members' thorough responses added current and clarifying information throughout the session.

Watch or listen to the recording to learn more. Additional news, information and answers to COVID-19 related questions can be found online.

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Tags: COVID-19, Deepi Goyal, immunization, Mayo Clinic Health System, Melanie Swift, News, occupational medicine, Robert Albright, Robert Jacobson, vaccines