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Welcome to the latest edition of Investigative Roundup, highlighting some of the best investigative reporting on healthcare each week.

Doctor in Maine Suspended Over COVID-19 Misinformation

An osteopathic doctor in Maine has been suspended from practice for 30 days as a result of spreading COVID-19 misinformation and signing questionable vaccine exemption letters, .

Paul Gosselin, DO, operates the Patriots Health clinic in Waterville, the Press Herald reported. The state Board of Osteopathic Licensure suspended Gosselin from practicing medicine and prescribing medication in a November 19 decision.

The discipline marks a rare move as physicians in states across the country continue to peddle COVID-19 falsehoods virtually unchecked, as 番茄社区app previously reported.

Though the notice of suspension for Gosselin follows the review of multiple vaccine exemption letters he signed and reports from other medical providers that he was spreading COVID-19 misinformation, it does not specify why certain letters were questionable and what misinformation was spread, the Press Herald reported.

The Press Herald reported that Gosselin did not comment on the suspension, but that he has started a GoFundMe page, seeking $100,000 for legal costs after coming under scrutiny "'for writing exemption letters and treating COVID.'"

The osteopathic licensing board has taken unrelated disciplinary action against Gosselin on multiple occasions, dating back to 2002, the Press Herald reported. The current suspension is effective until December 18. However, it could be lifted or extended following a hearing on the matter.

South African Lab Looks to Replicate Moderna Shot

As Omicron sheds greater light on vaccine inequity, a biotech in South Africa -- where scientists first detected the variant -- is rushing to replicate Moderna's mRNA-based shot, .

Afrigen Biologics and Vaccines is attempting to make a vaccine despite not having sufficient funds, The Post reported.

For Afrigen, the process is challenging. Moderna "refuses to share its recipe, citing intellectual property, so Afrigen has used publicly available information and help from outside advisers to begin making the vaccine," according to The Post.

Moderna has announced plans to spend up to $500 million to build its own vaccine plant in Africa. A spokeswoman for Moderna did not return The Post's request for comment.

The Post reported that Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, head of the World Trade Organization, said that reaching an agreement to provide poorer countries access to drugmakers' technology would prove difficult. She said that it would require a "'reasonable compromise'" by all sides on sharing intellectual property rights, lowering trade restrictions, and improving transparency related to production and distribution.

Afrigen's rush to replicate Moderna's shot comes as health officials have continued to warn that SARS-CoV-2 will "evolve and spread as long as significant populations remain unvaccinated," The Post reported.

Healthcare Providers Deal With Staff Shortages

For some hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare providers, the next few weeks mean having to operate without up to a third of their staff, .

The potential staffing crunch looms as there remain workers who refuse to get vaccinated against COVID-19, WSJ reported.

A CMS rule mandates that healthcare workers at facilities that receive Medicare and Medicaid funding must be vaccinated by Jan. 4, 2022. That mandate has been struck down in federal court, but in the meantime, healthcare providers are taking varying approaches to address staffing shortages.

Some facilities are "setting a hard line against exemptions, betting that will encourage more workers to get vaccinated," WSJ reported. Other facilities are "being more permissive," or are "looking to hire workers who have left or been denied exemptions at other hospitals and clinics."

"The decisions add up to a major operational threat for some healthcare providers at a time when workers are in shorter supply than ever," WSJ reported.

Facilities in rural areas may feel potential reductions more than others, according to the WSJ.

Nick Lawyer, PA-C, who practices family medicine at Clark Fork Valley Hospital and Family Medicine Network in Plains, Montana, told WSJ that the facility will not be able to provide basic medical care in an area 90 miles away from larger hospitals unless more workers get vaccinated.

"It would mean a tremendous reduction in service," Lawyer told WSJ.

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