US and China and BA 2 – Mar 28, 2022
The World Health Organization decides BA.2 is more transmissible than BA.1 https://www.who.int/publications/m/it… https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2… Weekly epidemiological update on COVID-19 BA.2 is main global driver Feb. 16th to March 17th BA.2 86% of global reports BA.1 and BA.1.1, together 13% BA.2 is more transmissible than BA.1 Not been shown to cause more severe illness Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove Our vaccines remain incredibly effective at preventing severe disease and death, including against both of the sublineages of BA.1 and BA.2 Deltacron Shanghai https://www.theguardian.com/world/202… Phased lockdown, 25 million people Omicron wave Eastern side, under lockdown, Monday to Friday Mass testing Cases, 3,450 asymptomatic cases (50 symptomatic cases) Other citywide lockdowns Vaccine effectiveness of two and three doses of BNT162b2 and CoronaVac against COVID-19 in Hong Kong https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.11… Three doses of either vaccine offered very high levels of protection against severe outcomes (VE: 98.1%) Third doses of either BNT162b2 or CoronaVac provide substantial additional protection against severe COVID-19 and should be prioritized, particularly in older adults who received CoronaVac primary schedules. US Dr. Rochelle Walensky, BA.2, third of new cases Paxlovid US, cases https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-trac… US deaths US, hospital patients https://covid19.healthdata.org/united… A second booster for anyone 50 and older is expected soon (FDA, CDC) Four months after thirds shot
Fourth vaccine dose – Mar 22, 2022
For young healthy adults, MODERNA SUBMITS AMENDMENT TO THE EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION FOR AN ADDITIONAL BOOSTER DOSE OF ITS COVID-19 VACCINE IN THE U.S. (Pfizer, 65 and older for 4th shot) https://twitter.com/moderna_tx/status… https://investors.modernatx.com/news/… request to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, for an amendment to the emergency use authorization, to allow for a fourth dose of its COVID-19 vaccine (mRNA-1273), in adults 18 years of age and older who, have received an initial booster of any of the authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccines. (A booster dose of the Modern, 50 µg authorized for emergency use in the U.S. under EUA for adults 18 years and older) Clinical trials are ongoing for Moderna’s Omicron-specific booster (mRNA-1273.529), and a bivalent Omicron-specific booster (mRNA-1273.214). Questions Will the 4th shot increase antibodies? Is it an emergency for a healthy 18 year old to get a 4th dose of vaccine today? Can beneficial endpoints be demonstrated for the individual? What n would be needed to demonstrate these beneficial outcomes? Will the 4th shot reduce T cell immunity for internal viral proteins? If someone has had omicron infection, will a 4th dose increase beneficial outcomes further? Is it time to end emergency shortcuts and get back to RCTS? Will there be guarantees a 4th dose will not be mandated once emergency use authorization is granted? Full FDA Approval of a COVID-19 Vaccine: What You Should Know https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healt… The approval system for vaccines uses scientific data and exacting standards, to ensure safe and effective vaccines Review processes include Clinical trials The FDA requires rigorous testing of vaccines through a series of clinical trials, to make sure they work and are safe before authorizing or approving them for the public. The laboratories that conduct the trials are independent from the vaccine companies and the government, process is not biased. Risks and benefits must demonstrate that the benefits of a vaccine are greater than its risks for those who will be vaccinated Continual monitoring the FDA may pause the administration of vaccine to do more studies, and ensure that the problem does not outweigh the vaccine’s benefit. Manufacturing guidelines test the vaccine doses in batches (lots), to ensure the quality and effectiveness of the vaccines remain consistent and reliable. UK 4th Jab https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022… Fourth Covid jabs to be rolled out to about five million vulnerable people starting from next week The Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisations (JCVI) https://www.gov.uk/government/news/jc… Another dose of Pfizer or Moderna, (six months after third dose) care home residents over-75s immunosuppressed people over 12 years