Booster shots may be in store for all soon
Additional data suggests waning immunity may explain why delta variant is infecting fully vaccinated people; Tennessee's governor issues executive order against masks as new cases surge; NZ locks down
The number of vaccinated people getting sick enough to need hospitalization keeps growing. Up to 1 out of every 4 hospital admissions for COVID-19 patients is for someone who had been vaccinated, according to a New York Times analysis of data from six states.
This New York Magazine article puts the “breakthrough” cases into context.
Multiple media outlets are reporting that the Biden administration soon will recommend a booster COVID-19 shot for most people eight months after they were fully vaccinated. National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Francis Collins says a new tranche of data from Israel suggests that protection weakens over time, based in part on the number of vaccinated people who are getting sick or infected. Expect this to be top of the agenda - or questions - at Wednesday’s White House COVID-19 briefing.
The FDA and CDC have already authorized third shots as part of the initial vaccination for certain people with weakened immune systems.
The WHO has asked wealthy countries to wait until vaccines get to poorer nations before starting to give third shots.
Young children are almost 50% more likely than older kids to transmit COVID-19 to family members, according to a large study by Canadian public health researchers. They think this is because kids 3 and under have a harder time keeping distance from others or practicing good hygiene.
In California, fewer children are being hospitalized with COVID-19 than in other states with similar COVID-19 surges. Experts quoted by the Los Angeles Times attribute the result to masks and other prevention strategies in schools.
Nurses, physicians and others are angry that Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee joined other Republican governors when he signed an executive order limiting local school boards’ authority to require masks. The order gives parents the option to “opt out” of any mandates. New COVID-19 cases are up more than 35% over last week, and the test positivity rate is nearly 18% — nearly twice the national average. Only 40% of the population of Tennessee is fully vaccinated.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has COVID-19 without any symptoms, and is being treated with monoclonal antibodies to prevent severe illness, according to a statement from his office.
Wildfire smoke and other pollution appears to make COVID-19 infections worse, according to a study based on data from last year’s Western fire season.
New Zealand went into a “snap lockdown” for three days after recording its first COVID-19 case in six months. Four other cases — all close contacts of the first person — have also been confirmed infected with COVID-19. The country hopes to avoid the persistent flare-ups that have vexxed parts of Australia.
Time to upgrade your masks. This NPR article explains how.
I’ve been pleased with the fit and protection of these new style 3M N95 masks.
Here’s an event worth checking out. The team at Hip Hop Public Health consistently put out insightful, useful materials aimed at getting public health information to minority and underserved communities.
