COVID Vaccine Update
COVID Vaccine Update
Hot off the press -- New York Times providing updates for fall booster shots
Late yesterday the New York Times reported that second booster shots for individuals under 50 have been put on HOLD. Despite the rapid spread of BA.5, those of us who are under 50 and not currently eligible for a second booster shot will NOT be able to get another booster shot any time soon; probably not until sometime this fall.
Booster shots that are currently available and recommended —
Both Pfizer & Moderna promised to have new boosters ready for approval in mid-September. These new booster shots will be retooled/reformulated. Specifically, the new booster shots will be a bivalent vaccine (bi=two + valent=different variants), meaning the vaccine will include the mRNA from two variants of the SARS-Cov-2 virus, the original virus + the BA.5 variant. According to preliminary data from both Moderna and Pfizer, the new bivalent vaccines are better at fighting the current Omicron variants.
Putting a hold on second booster doses for individuals less than 50 years old signals several things — first, we expect the new booster shots to be made available to all age groups, including children. Second, FDA and CDC expect that clinical trial results from Pfizer and Moderna will be analyzed and ready for review in the next 4-6 weeks. Third, both vaccine companies are capable of producing and distributing new boosters in the next 2-3 months. And finally, we are expecting Omicron subvariants, such as BA.5, to lead to a new wave of cases this fall.
If you are able to get a second COVID booster & have not done so yet — get boosted today. You can find an appointment right now!
If you — like me — do not qualify for a booster shot today, we wait. And wait. I am anticipating cases to increase (the start of a new wave?!?!) as kids head back to school and college students return to campus in mid-to-late August. I am hopeful that meetings of the VRBPAC and ACIP will be scheduled in the coming weeks so we have a clear timeline for the new vaccines. Fingers crossed.
Only time will tell…
Until then, I suggest —
Wearing a mask in crowded indoor environments (concerts, movie theaters, airports, parties), especially when air circulation is lousy. Personally, I am not wearing a mask while grocery shopping or in my yoga classes right now. But if I were planning to attend a concert or got to the airport, I’d be sure to wear my mask. At this point in time, I am not planning to teach with a mask on when I return to the classroom in August, but that decision could change AND will likely be a day-to-day decision for me. More to come on back to school…
Buying some home COVID tests (or order your free tests from the federal government). You’re going to need them.
Resolving to stay home when you are sick. We need to change our current workplace and educational culture where we expect individuals to come to work or school sick (or employees and students feel that they cannot miss work because of illness). Daycare rules need to be adopted by all — you cannot go to school or work unless it has been at least 24 hours since you last had a fever or since you last vomited, had diarrhea, had a snotty nose, or had a productive cough. Stay home while sick — to speed your recovery and to create a healthy environment for others.
Not living in fear. COVID is preventable with vaccines, and we can treat infections with antivirals. Live in that truth with a healthy dose of balance/reality — while engaging in risky behaviors (flying without a mask or requiring sick employees to come to work) should be avoided, we also need to live our lives. Get outside — go for a hike or a picnic. Visit a local lake or swimming pool. Try kayaking or flying a kite. Send your kids to art camp or encourage them to go to a puppet-making class. Invite friends over for dinner on the patio or a backyard picnic or bonfire. We all need to get outside, move our bodies, and live in community with others. Don’t let COVID stop you from living.
And as we wait for news about new vaccines and back-to-school plans — be sure you are subscribed here so you can get all the updates in your inbox.
And if you have a question — please ask.
The wave is alreay here! I have more friends and family, myself included, get Covid in the last six weeks than the previous 24 months combined. All of us vaxxed and boosted to the max.