August covid thread

[wanderingback]

Aug 30, 2022 20:47:31 GMT -5 timorousbeastie said:

Aug 30, 2022 20:17:02 GMT -5 wanderingback said:

A public health person on Twitter said the cdc is meeting this week and BA5 boosters could be ready next week. I can’t find any articles confirming this. Anyone see anything?

www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/08/30/1120023656/the-fda-is-expected-to-authorize-a-new-covid-booster-that-targets-omicron

“The U.S. Food and Drug Administration this week is expected to authorize the first updated versions of the COVID-19 boosters since the pandemic began.
…
Specifically, the vaccines are programmed to target the BA.4 and BA.5 omicron subvariants, which are the dominant strains infecting people and the most adept at sneaking around the immune system.
….
After the FDA authorizes the vaccines, advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will meet Thursday and Friday to decide whether to recommend it and who should receive it. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky will then have to sign off on that recommendation.”

Thank you! Not sure why my Google skills were failing.

[Pom]

Free tests from USPS program ends 9.2.22

www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-08-29/u-s-program-for-free-at-home-covid-tests-ending-this-week?_amp=true

[eponinepontmercy]

We had a good run, but DH tested positive last night. My PCR rapid test was negative, but I'll test again in a day or two.

[neverfstop]

FDA authorizes updated boosters

www.cnn.com/2022/08/31/health/fda-covid-vaccine-updated-booster-authorized/index.html

[seeyalater52]

Aug 31, 2022 9:36:38 GMT -5 neverfstop said:

FDA authorizes updated boosters

www.cnn.com/2022/08/31/health/fda-covid-vaccine-updated-booster-authorized/index.html

This is not surprising given that they need to sign off prior to the CDC’s ACIP meeting tomorrow. Vote on this item is scheduled for 4:30pm Eastern tomorrow, Thurs.

[seeyalater52]

For folks following along about eligibility: FDA set the new bivalent booster approval at 2 months following previous booster or primary series (for folks who haven’t boosted yet.) We will hear tomorrow any details about eligibility or guidance from ACIP.

[TR]

Aug 31, 2022 10:21:41 GMT -5 seeyalater52 said:

For folks following along about eligibility: FDA set the new bivalent booster approval at 2 months following previous booster or primary series (for folks who haven’t boosted yet.) We will hear tomorrow any details about eligibility or guidance from ACIP.

I am so ready to get thissssss. Mouse data or whatever, I don't care lol My booster was last November and I have fun & work travel happening mid-September so get it in me.

[fernweh]

Aug 31, 2022 10:34:33 GMT -5 TR said:

Aug 31, 2022 10:21:41 GMT -5 seeyalater52 said:

For folks following along about eligibility: FDA set the new bivalent booster approval at 2 months following previous booster or primary series (for folks who haven’t boosted yet.) We will hear tomorrow any details about eligibility or guidance from ACIP.

I am so ready to get thissssss. Mouse data or whatever, I don't care lol My booster was last November and I have fun & work travel happening mid-September so get it in me.

I’m in the same boat - I was boosted in November and while I’m in general not thrilled for another shot because my 1st boostered kicked my ass we are traveling in October and I would love that extra layer of protection. H got covid when we traveled in May so I’m feeling like it’s extra critical.

[mrspez07]

DH and I haven’t been boosted since Nov/Dec last year and other family members haven’t been boosted at all. our family is traveling to Spain over thanksgiving, their current requirements are that everyone have a booster within the last 9 months. We’re aiming for a booster weekend in early October where we can all lie low, hope the new one is available to us!

[seeyalater52]

Aug 31, 2022 10:34:33 GMT -5 TR said:

Aug 31, 2022 10:21:41 GMT -5 seeyalater52 said:

For folks following along about eligibility: FDA set the new bivalent booster approval at 2 months following previous booster or primary series (for folks who haven’t boosted yet.) We will hear tomorrow any details about eligibility or guidance from ACIP.

I am so ready to get thissssss. Mouse data or whatever, I don't care lol My booster was last November and I have fun & work travel happening mid-September so get it in me.

We got 2nd boosters in May but same here, and I’m glad that decision doesn’t preclude eligibility now. Like you, idgaf what data they have, shoot me up! (Really, the mouse data is totally fine and reasonable, it is silly that anyone is worked up over that.) Also like you, I want it before my required work travel on Sept 11, so I’m gonna be first in line. I’m guessing it will roll out Tuesday next week.

[TR]

Aug 31, 2022 13:51:22 GMT -5 seeyalater52 said:

Aug 31, 2022 10:34:33 GMT -5 TR said:

I am so ready to get thissssss. Mouse data or whatever, I don't care lol My booster was last November and I have fun & work travel happening mid-September so get it in me.

We got 2nd boosters in May but same here, and I’m glad that decision doesn’t preclude eligibility now. Like you, idgaf what data they have, shoot me up! (Really, the mouse data is totally fine and reasonable, it is silly that anyone is worked up over that.) Also like you, I want it before my required work travel on Sept 11, so I’m gonna be first in line. I’m guessing it will roll out Tuesday next week.

This is what I've seen and I'm hoping maybe after the next/final decision places will start accepting appointments for it. I think it was wanderingback who mentioned they were able to start pre-ordering already.

[dutchgirl678]

Aug 31, 2022 13:51:22 GMT -5 seeyalater52 said:

Aug 31, 2022 10:34:33 GMT -5 TR said:

I am so ready to get thissssss. Mouse data or whatever, I don't care lol My booster was last November and I have fun & work travel happening mid-September so get it in me.

We got 2nd boosters in May but same here, and I’m glad that decision doesn’t preclude eligibility now. Like you, idgaf what data they have, shoot me up! (Really, the mouse data is totally fine and reasonable, it is silly that anyone is worked up over that.) Also like you, I want it before my required work travel on Sept 11, so I’m gonna be first in line. I’m guessing it will roll out Tuesday next week.

We didn't qualify for 2nd boosters so we got our original booster last year. I'm getting it as soon as it's available because I'm traveling for work on Sep 14 to S. Korea.

[RoxMonster]

So ready for this next booster! I got my first booster the very first week of Oct. last year. I also leave for a vacation on Sept 30 and was hoping I would be able to get it before then.

[fortnightlily]

I'd love to get one early next week as I have a get together with Covid-cautious friends next weekend, but I realize that timing is too tight for it to be meaningful. And I also don't expect my doctor's office or Walgreens to be stocked immediately.

[pugz]

gimme that boosty boost! I'm almost 60 days out from COVID and do not want it again

[TR]

Aug 31, 2022 16:30:33 GMT -5 pugz said:

gimme that boosty boost! I'm almost 60 days out from COVID and do not want it again

Same! I had it July 9-16 and I am NOT counting on any protection from that anymore.

[mrsukyankee]

Looks like the UK are only offering 50+ people and clinically vulnerable people the booster this autumn. This is not going to be good for many who are now well outside their second booster shot (including my not quite 50 yr old husband). Ugh. I probably won't get a booster until late autumn/early winter as I'll be the last to be offered in this group (being a reasonably healthy 50+ yr old).

[msmerymac]

Aug 31, 2022 13:51:22 GMT -5 seeyalater52 said:

Aug 31, 2022 10:34:33 GMT -5 TR said:

I am so ready to get thissssss. Mouse data or whatever, I don't care lol My booster was last November and I have fun & work travel happening mid-September so get it in me.

We got 2nd boosters in May but same here, and I’m glad that decision doesn’t preclude eligibility now. Like you, idgaf what data they have, shoot me up! (Really, the mouse data is totally fine and reasonable, it is silly that anyone is worked up over that.) Also like you, I want it before my required work travel on Sept 11, so I’m gonna be first in line. I’m guessing it will roll out Tuesday next week.

Damn, I'm leaving for Europe on Saturday. Fingers crossed.

[aurora]

I'm curious what the guidance on the latest boosters says about recent infections. I'm about a month past testing positive and still feeling fairly protected. Will certainly get the booster when eligible, though!

[seeyalater52]

Sept 1, 2022 9:01:58 GMT -5 aurora said:

I'm curious what the guidance on the latest boosters says about recent infections. I'm about a month past testing positive and still feeling fairly protected. Will certainly get the booster when eligible, though!

The same “recommendations” that have always existed. You can hold off 90 days past last infection if you want to, but are eligible to get your vaccine as long as you’ve recovered from actual covid infection, no need to wait. It’s pretty questionable that they haven’t shifted this at all in light of how quickly new variants are emerging now, but that remains the official recommendation.

I’m very covid risk averse so I wouldn't wait longer than a month post infection because reinfection is becoming more and more common at shorter intervals, but it wouldn’t be unreasonable to hold off a little longer especially since you’re quite likely to have been infected with BA5.

Given the expectation of a new variant wave peaking in early December I’d learn toward getting the new vaccine no later than late Oct though. It is a lot more effective than the original one against these strains and effectiveness from the vaccine is much less of a crapshoot than from infection conferred immunity (it’s also unclear which variant will drive the next wave and whether it will have high immune escape from prior infections but it is likely that will be the case.)

[chickadee77]

Sept 1, 2022 10:09:30 GMT -5 seeyalater52 said:

Sept 1, 2022 9:01:58 GMT -5 aurora said:

I'm curious what the guidance on the latest boosters says about recent infections. I'm about a month past testing positive and still feeling fairly protected. Will certainly get the booster when eligible, though!

The same “recommendations” that have always existed. You can hold off 90 days past last infection if you want to, but are eligible to get your vaccine as long as you’ve recovered from actual covid infection, no need to wait. It’s pretty questionable that they haven’t shifted this at all in light of how quickly new variants are emerging now, but that remains the official recommendation.

I’m very covid risk averse so I wouldn't wait longer than a month post infection because reinfection is becoming more and more common at shorter intervals, but it wouldn’t be unreasonable to hold off a little longer especially since you’re quite likely to have been infected with BA5.

Given the expectation of a new variant wave peaking in early December I’d learn toward getting the new vaccine no later than late Oct though. It is a lot more effective than the original one against these strains and effectiveness from the vaccine is much less of a crapshoot than from infection conferred immunity (it’s also unclear which variant will drive the next wave and whether it will have high immune escape from prior infections but it is likely that will be the case.)

Is there a new variant out there already, or is this just speculation/ scuttlebutt? Just curious- I haven't heard anything, but I'm not in the know, ha.

[sparty04]

Does anyone know if the updated boosters will be the same formula as first series of the vaccine? Like, if someone hasn't been vaccinated yet, will they get the updated one?

[wanderingback]

sparty04, there’s a whole thread for @@@ Covid questions.
This thread is non @@@@

But to answer your question, no these boosters that are coming out next week aren’t the same. They’re called "bivalent" because they essentially contain the original covid strain and the latest covid strain BA5 (if you are in the U.S.).

[TR]

Sept 1, 2022 11:39:56 GMT -5 sparty04 said:

Does anyone know if the updated boosters will be the same formula as first series of the vaccine? Like, if someone hasn't been vaccinated yet, will they get the updated one?

Are you asking if the primary series is being updated like the booster? I don’t think so.

[seeyalater52]

Sept 1, 2022 12:07:03 GMT -5 TR said:

Sept 1, 2022 11:39:56 GMT -5 sparty04 said:

Does anyone know if the updated boosters will be the same formula as first series of the vaccine? Like, if someone hasn't been vaccinated yet, will they get the updated one?

Are you asking if the primary series is being updated like the booster? I don’t think so.

This is correct, it isn’t available as a primary series.

The original vaccine is also not available as a booster anymore, they pulled authorization when they approved the new booster this week.

[seeyalater52]

Sept 1, 2022 11:18:52 GMT -5 chickadee77 said:

Sept 1, 2022 10:09:30 GMT -5 seeyalater52 said:

The same “recommendations” that have always existed. You can hold off 90 days past last infection if you want to, but are eligible to get your vaccine as long as you’ve recovered from actual covid infection, no need to wait. It’s pretty questionable that they haven’t shifted this at all in light of how quickly new variants are emerging now, but that remains the official recommendation.

I’m very covid risk averse so I wouldn't wait longer than a month post infection because reinfection is becoming more and more common at shorter intervals, but it wouldn’t be unreasonable to hold off a little longer especially since you’re quite likely to have been infected with BA5.

Given the expectation of a new variant wave peaking in early December I’d learn toward getting the new vaccine no later than late Oct though. It is a lot more effective than the original one against these strains and effectiveness from the vaccine is much less of a crapshoot than from infection conferred immunity (it’s also unclear which variant will drive the next wave and whether it will have high immune escape from prior infections but it is likely that will be the case.)

Is there a new variant out there already, or is this just speculation/ scuttlebutt? Just curious- I haven't heard anything, but I'm not in the know, ha.

There is a new one that is gaining now (I don’t remember which # omicron it is) but it is unclear if it will ultimately be that one or another one. They can develop really quickly and unfortunately variant sequencing has slowed down quite a bit as governments around the world try to pretend covid is over so the data is a bit messy and lacking.

[seeyalater52]

ACIP approves both variant boosters with only one no vote (same person) on each. As soon as CDC director signs off they’ll become available, as early as this weekend in some places.

[wanderingback]

Sept 1, 2022 17:11:37 GMT -5 seeyalater52 said:

ACIP approves both variant boosters with only one no vote (same person) on each. As soon as CDC director signs off they’ll become available, as early as this weekend in some places.

Oh wow this weekend? Yay! I thought I saw something that Pfizer was shipping Sept 9th. Thanks for the update

[seeyalater52]

Sept 1, 2022 18:00:45 GMT -5 wanderingback said:

Sept 1, 2022 17:11:37 GMT -5 seeyalater52 said:

ACIP approves both variant boosters with only one no vote (same person) on each. As soon as CDC director signs off they’ll become available, as early as this weekend in some places.

Oh wow this weekend? Yay! I thought I saw something that Pfizer was shipping Sept 9th. Thanks for the update

HHS said they started shipping yesterday! aspr.hhs.gov/ASPRBlog/Pages/BlogDetailView.aspx?ItemID=441

Their press release says distribution after Labor Day but since Walensky will likely sign off tomorrow it could be earlier in sites that receive the shipments and update their systems quickly. Here’s hoping!

ETA: spoke too soon, Walensky just signed off! All done.

[winecat]

Yay!!!