Damian McNamara is a journalist for Medscape Medical News and MDedge. He worked full-time for MDedge as the Miami Bureau covering a dozen medical specialties during 2001-2012, then as a freelancer for Medscape and MDedge, before being hired on staff by Medscape in 2018. Now the two companies are one. He uses what he learned in school – Damian has a BS in chemistry and an MS in science, health and environmental reporting/journalism. He works out of a home office in Miami, with a 100-pound chocolate lab known to snore under his desk during work hours.
News
Pollutants tied to changes in ratio of boys to girls born
- Author:
- Damian McNamara
The mechanism remains unknown, but the investigators suggested that female embryo pregnancies may end early in development, driving the SRB up.
News
Pfizer asks FDA to authorize COVID vaccine for kids 5-11
- Author:
- Damian McNamara
Participants in the studies received a lower dose of the vaccine, 10 micrograms.
News

Study finds paying people to participate in clinical trials is not unethical
- Author:
- Damian McNamara
Researchers examine how varying cash incentives affect clinical trial recruitment, assessment of risk, and perception of coercion.
News
Booster shot back-and-forth creates uncertainty, confusion
- Author:
- Damian McNamara
“I take care of a fair number of folks...including the elderly and healthcare professionals. They are already asking for the booster.”
News

Top questions answered about COVID-19 boosters for your patients
- Author:
- Damian McNamara
“The biggest concerns are that everyone wants it and they don’t know where to get it.”
News
Gut microbiome could make weight loss easier for some
- Author:
- Damian McNamara
Researchers found that the gut microbiome - the bacteria that help digest food and absorb nutrients in the intestines - can influence attempts at...
News

New Moderna vaccine data ‘support’ booster shot after 8 months
- Author:
- Damian McNamara
There is still a lot of debate in the medical community about the need for boosters.
Opinion
Q&A: Get flu shot early this year? Same time as COVID vaccine?
- Author:
- Damian McNamara
What are the considerations for getting COVID-19 and flu shots at the same time?
News
Why are boosters being given after 8 months? Experts weigh in
- Author:
- Damian McNamara
It is important “that we continue to get people the full amount of protection if it’s recommended by CDC and...
News

Delta variant could drive herd immunity threshold over 80%
- Author:
- Damian McNamara
In addition to driving up case numbers, the Delta variant could also push the threshold to achieve herd immunity higher.
News
‘War has changed’: CDC says Delta as contagious as chicken pox
- Author:
- Damian McNamara
Breakthrough infections in the vaccinated make people about as contagious as those who are unvaccinated....
News

‘A few mutations away’: The threat of a vaccine-proof variant
- Author:
- Damian McNamara
“When we have lots of people infected, we give more chances to the virus to diversify and then adapt to selective pressures.”
News
Pfizer vaccine protection wanes after 6 months, study finds
- Author:
- Damian McNamara
Strong protection against serious illness and hospitalization remains.
News

CDC calls for masks in schools, hard-hit areas, even if vaccinated
- Author:
- Damian McNamara
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) once again is recommending that some Americans wear masks...
News
Large remdesivir study finds no COVID-19 survival benefit
- Author:
- Damian McNamara
“There is still uncertainty about the role of remdesivir in treatment for people hospitalized with COVID-19,”...