Panama San Benito

Panama is an origin that constantly makes headlines in the specialty coffee world mostly associated with the renowned Gesha variety. But several complexities influence specialty coffee, and it would be a mistake to reduce the complexity of this famous growing region to nothing more than plant variety. With this lot of Caturra from Finca Candela, one of several farms in the San Benito Cafe group, there is an opportunity to explore the impact of terroir on different varieties. The San Benito group has 240 acres cultivated with coffee. In addition to a mindful and environmentally balanced approach to farm management, San Benito has an experienced team and onsite infrastructure at the farm to ensure attention to detail during the harvest. The Caturra lot is processed using a washed method. After selective picking, ripe cherries are floated to remove less dense and damaged seeds, and then de-pulped, fermented, washed, and placed on raised beds, and turned regularly for 8 to 12 days. Drying is finished using a mechanical dryer to ensure precise moisture content.

Luis Anibal Pink Bourbon

This coffee is produced by Don Luis Anibal Calderon, a world-renowned producer at Finca Betulia.

This coffee was carefully hand-picked to use only the ripest cherries, exposed to a dry anaerobic fermentation of 48 hours before being pulped inside Grainpro bags at 20 celsius, in this environment bacteria feeds from carbohydrates and sugars from the mucilage that leads to a higher concentration of lactic acid.

Afterward, pulped gently washed, and placed on raised beds to 10.5% moisture content.

This micro lot is 100% Pink Bourbon. This varietal is currently under research to determine its origin. It is said that it is a mutation that took place at 2100 meters above sea level in San Adolfo, Huila.

Andres Guaca Pink Bourbon

Grown by Andres Guaca at Finca Guacanas.

This coffee is harvested following strict ripeness criteria, exposed to a dry fermentation of 56 hours inside grain pro bags. Afterward, pulped, gently washed, and dried on raised beds to ideal moisture content. Later rested inside rum barrels for 40 days, after afterward milled.

This micro lot is 100% Pink Bourbon. This varietal is currently under research to determine its origin. It is said that it is a mutation that took place at 2100 meters above sea level in San Adolfo, Huila.

COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna Guidance for Patients

Introduction (nature and purpose of EUA)

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issues emergency use authorization (EUA) for vaccines and drugs during public health emergencies. This authorization expedites the availability of interventions for affected populations. Before issuing EUA, regulatory agencies consider quality, safety, and efficacy criteria. All vaccines must first receive EUA before use for immunization. On the other hand, the HTAC needs to give a positive recommendation for the vaccine before it can be used in the National Immunization program or be included in the COVID benefit package of PhilHealth.

The Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC) recommends the emergency use of COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine (Nucleoside Modified) (COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna) to reduce the burden of COVID-19 among individuals aged 18 years of age and older.

The Council in its interim analysis and recommendation considers best available scientific evidence, which has since revealed the COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine (Nucleoside Modified) (COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna) capacity to prevent symptomatic COVID-19 infection in the short-term, with benefits outweighing risks (fever, pain at injection site, etc.). Studies are continuing to determine its long-term efficacy and safety and its potential to reduce COVID-19 transmission.

Who may receive the vaccine?

Persons belonging to identified priority groups and individuals aged 18 years of age and older may receive COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna.

Who should not receive the vaccine?

• Persons with history of anaphylaxis or allergic reactions (of any severity) to any vaccine component that occur within 4 hours from vaccination
• Persons under 18 years of age

What is the composition of the vaccine?

The Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine contains the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) that codes for the spike protein of the SARS-CoV2 virus. The mRNA is packaged using lipids (SM-102, polyethylene glycol [PEG] 2000 dimyristoyl glycerol [DMG], cholesterol, and 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine [DSPC]), tromethamine, tromethamine hydrochloride, acetic acid, sodium acetate trihydrate, and sucrose for safe delivery into the circulatory system.

What adverse reactions have been reported in the use of this vaccine?

There is a remote chance that the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine could cause a severe allergic reaction. A severe allergic reaction would usually occur within a few minutes to one hour after getting a dose of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine. For this reason, The vaccination provider should ask the vaccine recipient to stay at the place where they received the vaccine for monitoring after vaccination. Signs of a severe allergic reaction can include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling of your face and throat
• A fast heartbeat
• A bad rash all over your body
• Dizziness and weakness

Side effects that have been reported in a clinical trial with the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine include:

• Injection site reactions: pain, tenderness and swelling of the lymph nodes in the same arm of the injection, swelling (hardness), and redness
• General side effects: fatigue, headache, muscle pain, joint pain, chills, nausea and vomiting, and fever

What precautions should be considered before administering the vaccine?

• For those with a history of immediate allergic reaction or hypersensitivity to any other injectable therapy, such as intramuscular, intravenous, or subcutaneous vaccines unrelated to a component of inactivated COVID-19 vaccines, treatment for severe allergic reactions must be made available.
• For those with concurrent fever, acute illness or those currently experiencing acute chronic disease attacks, for immunocompromised persons or those receiving immunosuppressive therapy, or for persons with neurological conditions, vaccination may be subject to physician advice and supervision.
• For pregnant and breastfeeding women excluded from other priority groups, vaccination may be subject to physician advice and supervision.
• For persons 59 years old and older, vaccination may be subject to physician advice and supervision.

COVID-19 Dos and don'ts after vaccination

QUICK READ: COVID-19 vaccine myths, debunked

• You can exercise and drink coffee after getting vaccinated.
• Every person is different, so you may feel mild symptoms or nothing at all.
• Abnormal side effects are incredibly rare, about a one in 1 million chance.
• There’s no evidence to say vaccines affect your fertility or pregnancy.

DOs

- Drink a lot of water: Staying hydrated is extremely important both before and after your vaccination.

- Eat a well-balanced diet: To avoid serious side effects, a well-balanced diet is essential. Superfoods like green vegetables, turmeric, and garlic, which are high in nutrients and boost immunity, should be included in your diet. Seasonal fruits rich in Vitamin C can also aid in fighting the vaccine side effects.

- Get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep: When you get vaccinated, the body relies on immune responses to develop protection. It is recommended that recently vaccinated people sleep for at least 7-8 hours as sleep deprivation can result in suppressed immunity since the body rebuilds its defense mechanisms during sleep.

- Do some light exercise/physical activity.

DON'Ts

- Avoid alcohol and tobacco: Although there are no approved scientific studies that quantify the effect of alcohol or smoking on vaccination, it is advisable to avoid tobacco or alcohol consumption as it may aggravate and worsen vaccine side effects making the experience more stressful and unpleasant.

- Do not think that you are completely immune to COVID-19 after vaccination.

- Do not delay consulting a doctor if you experience COVID-19 symptoms even after vaccination.

- Avoid strenuous physical activity for at least 2-3 days post-vaccination.

- Do not miss other necessary vaccines.