Yes, this is correct. The BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants are more immune-evasive. Scientists have known this for awhile and are trying to develop and launch a better booster by this autumn.
The graph included in the tweet below can be read in multiple ways. First, the bad news. Hospitalizations continue to increase nationwide. And, they’re at much higher levels than they were last year at this time. Second, the good news. The slope of the hospitalization curve is relatively flat at this point – suggesting a plateau is imminent. Perhaps this is a result of all the immunity built up in the population over time: From vaccines and natural (infections). So, despite the immune-evasive properties there’s enough immunity to ward off severe disease, at least in most people. https://twitter.com/EricTopol/status/1540778452432760835
My fear is that yet another sub-variant emerges or, worse still, a new variant. I hope this doesn’t happen. But if it does, we’ll be in for a long winter again.
Perhaps we will develop enough immunity to fight off any future variants for the fall and winter seasons. Any reason why we can’t??
I have an upcoming appointment with my PCP early next month and I was planning to ask if I should get another booster at his office while I am there. Should I wait until a possible stronger vaccine? My last booster was in late February.
Thanks, Joshua. My head just isn’t in the game any more. Too much happening
I know we desperately need an omicron specific vaccine. My third booster was December 1 as you know. I will wait close to fall for four and pray there is an omicron specific by then
Philip, I think the immunity reason is the same as our inability to develop immunity to flu…or to the 1918 virus. Or frankly to colds. They all have a common denominator,,,,variants. Other viruses such as measles, small pox, mumps, and on and on do not have variants so a vaccine will work across the board. Unless of course as Joshua mentioned recently we are foolish enough to stop regulating those vaccines.
Philip, I’m surprised your pcp has vaccine in office. That is very lucky. But if I recall you use Brigham and if the pcp is at hospital, that would explain why they have the facilities to keep the vaccines at proper temp.
I’m not certain if his office has the vaccine as the Brigham had shut down most of their vaccine clinics back in the early spring. First my plan is to ask if I need another booster at all anytime soon.
Thanks Vicki. I never thought of a simple “cold” as a variant from the 1918 pandemic. I always assumed we were completely done with that.
I certainly have had many a cold and flu during my 60+ years. One nasty virus in April/May 2001 in fact. Took me until June to truly be rid of it. 😉
Sorry Philip. I didn’t intend to list the cold as a variant of 1918…just a virus that mutates so there can be no vaccine
Yes, I understand. Thanks for the correction. 🙂
Preparedness for the next pandemic is something we all should be thinking about. Learning from mistakes is important. The U.S. government hasn’t, however. And this alarms me. https://twitter.com/DrJudyStone/status/1541071377238827008
Thanks Joshua for sharing that article. Has the WHO made any statements regarding monkeypox?
Yes. WHO has not yet declared a global health emergency, but is monitoring.
That’s more than what the CDC is doing here in the U.S. it would seem.
C-19
6-27
ready
Comments are closed.
Your no-hype southeastern New England weather blog!
Thanks TK.
I am afraid my mind can’t take a whole lot more to worry about considering the horrific news in this country this past week.
Am I correct that the vaccine does not protect as well against the more recent variations of omicron? If so, is this news a bit late in coming?
https://twitter.com/erictopol/status/1540704984081174530?s=21&t=yN52rzWA1AVszg9qSATX3w
Yes, this is correct. The BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants are more immune-evasive. Scientists have known this for awhile and are trying to develop and launch a better booster by this autumn.
The graph included in the tweet below can be read in multiple ways. First, the bad news. Hospitalizations continue to increase nationwide. And, they’re at much higher levels than they were last year at this time. Second, the good news. The slope of the hospitalization curve is relatively flat at this point – suggesting a plateau is imminent. Perhaps this is a result of all the immunity built up in the population over time: From vaccines and natural (infections). So, despite the immune-evasive properties there’s enough immunity to ward off severe disease, at least in most people. https://twitter.com/EricTopol/status/1540778452432760835
My fear is that yet another sub-variant emerges or, worse still, a new variant. I hope this doesn’t happen. But if it does, we’ll be in for a long winter again.
Perhaps we will develop enough immunity to fight off any future variants for the fall and winter seasons. Any reason why we can’t??
I have an upcoming appointment with my PCP early next month and I was planning to ask if I should get another booster at his office while I am there. Should I wait until a possible stronger vaccine? My last booster was in late February.
Thanks, Joshua. My head just isn’t in the game any more. Too much happening
I know we desperately need an omicron specific vaccine. My third booster was December 1 as you know. I will wait close to fall for four and pray there is an omicron specific by then
Philip, I think the immunity reason is the same as our inability to develop immunity to flu…or to the 1918 virus. Or frankly to colds. They all have a common denominator,,,,variants. Other viruses such as measles, small pox, mumps, and on and on do not have variants so a vaccine will work across the board. Unless of course as Joshua mentioned recently we are foolish enough to stop regulating those vaccines.
Philip, I’m surprised your pcp has vaccine in office. That is very lucky. But if I recall you use Brigham and if the pcp is at hospital, that would explain why they have the facilities to keep the vaccines at proper temp.
I’m not certain if his office has the vaccine as the Brigham had shut down most of their vaccine clinics back in the early spring. First my plan is to ask if I need another booster at all anytime soon.
Thanks Vicki. I never thought of a simple “cold” as a variant from the 1918 pandemic. I always assumed we were completely done with that.
I certainly have had many a cold and flu during my 60+ years. One nasty virus in April/May 2001 in fact. Took me until June to truly be rid of it. 😉
Sorry Philip. I didn’t intend to list the cold as a variant of 1918…just a virus that mutates so there can be no vaccine
Yes, I understand. Thanks for the correction. 🙂
Preparedness for the next pandemic is something we all should be thinking about. Learning from mistakes is important. The U.S. government hasn’t, however. And this alarms me. https://twitter.com/DrJudyStone/status/1541071377238827008
Thanks Joshua for sharing that article. Has the WHO made any statements regarding monkeypox?
Yes. WHO has not yet declared a global health emergency, but is monitoring.
That’s more than what the CDC is doing here in the U.S. it would seem.
C-19
6-27
ready