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New COVID Boosters

Many people have questions about the new COVID vaccine boosters.  Keep reading for answers to some of the most common ones here.

What’s new in this latest round of COVID vaccine boosters? 

The original COVID vaccines were effective at preventing infection and very successful in preventing complications from the Alpha and Delta strains.  But they are less effective against the Omicron variants which are more transmissible and immune-evading.

On September 1, 2022 the CDC approved new boosters from Pfizer (for ages 12 and up) and Moderna (for ages 18 and up).  These updated boosters add Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 to the original vaccine composition. 

Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, Bivalent is the name for Moderna’s new booster.  Pfizer’s new booster is called Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, Bivalent.  Bivalent just means there are two strains in the vaccine (alpha and omicron).  I think we should call it COVID vaccine 2.0.

Is it better than the original?

As COVID has mutated into different strains and subvariants, it has gotten better at evading the vaccine.

For the original strain (Alpha) and the later strain (Delta), Pfizer and Moderna initial two-shot series were about 75% effective at preventing infection and 90-95% effective at preventing serious complications.  But the vaccines were less effective against Omicron – only 30-40% protection against infection and 70% protection against hospitalization.  A 3rd booster shot boosted effectiveness against infection to 75% and 88% for severe disease.

Unfortunately, it’s unclear exactly how much protection the new booster shots will provide, but models suggest 80% protection from infection and around 90% for prevention of complications. 

How could they approve the new booster without large clinical trials?

Believe it or not, this is something that has been done for decades with the flu shot.  The flu shot is reformulated every year based on an educated guess of what the circulating strains will be in the coming year.  They might take 1 or 2 strains out and put in different ones. 

Flu shots are made using eggs and take 9 months to produce.  Because large clinical trials require time (a minimum of 3-6 months, often longer), it’s not feasible to run clinical trials each year.  They have decades of data showing the vaccine is safe and effective (some years more than others), so they approve the latest formulation based on that history.  This has been a very effective strategy allowing the flu shot to adapt each year just in time for the next flu season.

They have adopted a similar process for the new COVID vaccine booster.  They have extensive safety and effectiveness data for the original COVID vaccines (over 600 million doses given in US).  Additionally, they have safety and immunogenicity data from a clinical study of a bivalent COVID-19 vaccine that contained mRNA from the Alpha strain and mRNA from the original Omicron strain (not BA.4 or BA.5 subvariants).

Should I get one?

Yes.  I plan to get mine and will give it to my 87-year-old mother.  I’ve encouraged my children (in their 20’s) to get it as well.

When should I get it?

Although you can get it as early as 2 months after your previous booster, I recommend waiting 4 months after your last booster.  That’s the point where the vaccine efficacy seems to drop. 

Another consideration is the current amount of COVID infections.  Currently cases are relatively low.  We are anticipating a surge in December/January, like what we’ve had for the past two years.  So, you might want to get the booster in October or November to have good immunity in December and January.

Does the new booster have side effects?

They are expected to be similar to the original vaccine – soreness in arm, body aches, fever, etc.

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Thriving in a Pandemic!

Is is possible to thrive in these unprecedented times?  Definitely yes.  And I’ll go one step further… It is VITAL!
 
We are in for months of social distancing and hand sanitizer will be part of our new normal. But we also need to fight for the right to thrive!
 
Five ideas for thriving during a pandemic:
 
  1. Reach out and connect – We are best as part of a community. Call a relative or have a virtual happy hour with friends. Write actual letters to family and friends. Write thank-you notes to service people who you remember went out of their way for you. Interview your parents, grandparents or children and save the audio. Then you can create an audio story or book.
  2. Chip in & Volunteer – get outside yourself and do something good for your community. Food Banks and Blood Banks are in desperate need of volunteers. Their usual volunteer force is often older and, as such, are staying home. Click here for more volunteer options in San Diego.
  3. Take up a new hobby – Consider learning a new language, raise a new puppy or foster shelter animals. Learn to sew, a new line dance or calligraphy.
  4. Be creative – The Getty Museum in Los Angeles asked people to recreate paintings with stuff they can find at home – these results are hilarious! Go through your camera roll, pick your favorite pics from the past year and make a photo book or order framed versions online.
  5. Learn new job skills – This is a great time to add depth to your resume or completely reinvent yourself. Learn to type, master Excel, or go in depth with Photoshop. Learn to build a website or perfect digital advertising. Take an online course in photography or become and entrepreneur.
 
Check out this list for lots more ideas.
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How to Connect without Contact

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

Social distancing (staying away from others) is absolutely VITAL to reduce the spread of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).  I myself am practicing this in my office – I bow to people I encounter rather than shake hands.

But it’s also VITAL to remember that we, as human beings, are social animals.  Social distancing, quarantine and isolation go against the very nature of our being.  And especially in times of crisis – time and time again we come together, across political/socioeconomic/racial divides, and unite for the greater good.

So what are we to do?

I’ve summarized some great tips from an article in Scientific American Magazine  on how to connect without contact.  (By Kasley Killam, 3/12/20. 

Face-to-face from afar: The next best thing to in-person interaction is video chat.  Play around with doing what you would normally do with others. For example, try having a digital dinner with someone you met on a dating app, a virtual happy hour with friends or a remote book club meeting.

One-minute kindness:  When you find yourself scrolling through people’s posts, stop and send one of them a few kind words.   Takes only a little more time than a like and can mean a great deal to the receiver.

Cultivate your community: The basis of connection is having something in common. Whatever your niche interest is, there is an online community of people who share your passion.  There are also digital support groups, such as for new parents or patients with a rare disease.

Deepen or broaden: Get in touch with a friend or family member you haven’t spoken with in a while to deepen that connection.  Or broaden your network by reaching out to someone you’d like to get to know.

Use a tool:  consider using conversation prompts, such as TableTopics or The And, to spark interesting dialogue during a call.

Pick up the phone:  Don’t forget  there are many Seniors and other American’s who don’t use the internet.  A phone call or even a letter (yes, Snail Mail still exists) could mean the world to them.

The coronavirus pandemic reminds us that human connection can spread illness. But human connection ALSO promotes wellness. Let’s take this opportunity to reconnect without physical contact.