According to the National Institute of Health (NIH) the current Covid-19 vaccine booster elicits a robust immune response, it wanes quickly against the Omicron variant.
Category: COVID-19 vaccines
Novavax Covid-19 Vaccine Gets CDC Green Light
The Novavax Covid-19 vaccine was approved by the CDC a few days ago. University of Iowa Health Care was one of the sites in the multi-site Phase 3 trial.
The vaccine is not based on mRNA technology; it uses a more traditional method similar to the flu vaccine, which is familiar to more people.
FDA Advisory Committee Approves Adding Omicron component to the Next Covid-19 Vaccine
On June 28, 2022 the FDA Vaccine and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee came to a majority “yes” vote to the question:
“Does the committee recommend inclusion of a SARS-CoV-2 Omicron component for COVID-19 booster vaccines in the United States?”
The meeting was recorded and is available for review.
FDA Advisory Committee Green Lights Novavax Covid-19 Vaccine
The FDA Advisory Committee endorsed the Novavax Covid-19 Vaccine at their meeting June 7, 2022. It awaits the FDA Director’s decision and, if endorsed by the director, would next go to the CDC Advisory Committee for their evaluation, which looks like it might be scheduled later this month.
FDA Advisory Committee Meeting on June 7, 2022 for New Covid-19 Vaccine
The FDA Advisory Committee will meet on June 7, 2022, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM ET to discuss the Novavax Covid-19 vaccine EUA application.
The vaccine is a SARS-CoV-2 Recombinant Spike Protein Nanoparticle Vaccine (SARS-CoV-2rS) with Matrix-M1 Adjuvant.
Heads Up from University of Iowa Health Care: Why Vaccinated People Still Catch Covid-19
Some people still get Covid-19 symptoms despite being vaccinated. University of Iowa Health Care infectious disease expert, Dr. Dan Diekema, MD, MS, explains why.
COVID-19 Transmission Level Medium in Johnson County, Iowa
The CDC has reported that the level of COVID-19 transmission in Johnson County, Iowa is Medium. It’s recommended to adopt appropriate safety precautions accordingly. The Swiss Cheese Model is an easy way to remember:
Learn more about how to keep yourself and others safe.
University of Iowa Participating in COVAIL Trial on Covid-19 Vaccine Boosters
University of Iowa Health Care is participating in a multi-center Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating various additional COVID-19 vaccine boosters. It’s the COVID-19 Variant Immunologic Landscape (COVAIL) trial, sponsored by the National Institute of Allery and Infectious Disease (NIAID). The trial “will test new and existing booster vaccines in various combinations to see which ones provide immune responses that cover existing and emerging COVID-19 variants.”
ACIP Meeting on Covid-19 Vaccines and Boosters Held on April 20, 2022
I got to listen to some of the presentations yesterday during the ACIP meeting on Covid-19 vaccines and boosters. My impression is that there seems to still be some discussion about what the most important goals of the vaccination program. Is it to prevent severe disease, hospitalization, and death? Or is it to prevent infection altogether?
It’s not lost on me that even mild infection with Covid-19 can lead to a chronic (“long haul”) syndrome. On the other hand, it doesn’t sound plausible that a vaccine to prevent infection would even be possible, given that so many people remain unvaccinated. That’s part of the context for the rise of variants that can lead to vaccine-resistant strains. That can lead to boosters and what some ACIP committee members are now afraid might lead to a new vogue term-“booster fatigue.”
Sena and I are now immunized as far as we can go, with 4 doses. We’re hoping for a new vaccine that is safe, effective against variants, and doesn’t involve boosting every few months.
We focus a lot on vaccines. But the other side of the risk of getting infected and sick are a part of host immunity. It gets weaker as we get older. It’s weak in those who are immunocompromised for other reasons, including things like underlying diseases and organ transplantation.
Looking at other ways to prevent disease with Covid-19, such as new medications that might counter the decline of the immune system as we age, and any other innovations are also important.
Second Covid-19 Booster Jab Done
Yesterday I got the second Covid-19 booster jab. Sena got hers shortly before I did. The pharmacy was practically deserted. Nobody is waiting in line to get this one, evidently. Sena and I are now 4 for 4 jabs with no end in sight unless somebody comes up with a new vaccine that’ll last longer than a couple of months.
No pharmacy employees wore masks. I think I was the only one in the store who wore one. I’m not sure what to think of that. We’re still wearing masks out in public.
Some infectious disease specialists are recommending you get the 2nd booster if you’re over 60, even if you don’t have serious medical comorbidities.
Keeping a watchful eye on transmission levels in the areas where you live is also important. Right now, it’s low in ours. But that could change, especially if we ignore the Swiss cheese method for protecting ourselves from Covid-19.
Go Retire Psychiatrist 