by Emily Clancy
Parents anxious to finally vaccinate their youngest children against COVID-19, strap in: A lot is set to happen over the next week.
On Wednesday, both Moderna and Pfizer will have to convince what’s essentially a science court — advisers to the Food and Drug Administration — that their shots work well in babies, toddlers and preschoolers.
by Emily Clancy
The FDA has approved Priorix (measles, mumps and rubella [MMR] vaccine, live; GSK) active immunization for the prevention of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) in individuals 12 months of age and older. Priorix can be administered as a first dose, followed by a second dose of the vaccine, or as a second dose to those previously administered the first dose of another MMR-containing vaccine.
The efficacy of Priorix was demonstrated based on immunogenicity data versus the comparator vaccine, according to GSK. The vaccine is set to be on the agenda this month for review by the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for consideration of formal inclusion into the vaccine schedule and recommendations.
by Emily Clancy
As COVID-19 cases began to accelerate again this spring, federal data suggests the rate of breakthrough COVID infections in April was worse in boosted Americans compared to unboosted Americans — though rates of deaths and hospitalizations remained the lowest among the boosted.
The new data do not mean booster shots are somehow increasing the risk. Ongoing studies continue to provide strong evidence of additional protection offered by booster shots against infection, severe disease, and death.
by Emily Clancy
You may not think of your dentist as an investigator but when it comes to your oral health, I take on that role.
At every dental check-up with me, you’ll notice that I use a gloved finger to feel the sides, roof and bottom of your mouth. I will also lift your tongue to look under it, and I will palpate your neck. What’s going on?
by Emily Clancy
For decades, anti-vaccine movements have generated and spread rumours that vaccines cause serious health problems. The rollout of COVID vaccines has provided new opportunities to spread misinformation.
At the start of the pandemic, people were already worried about the virus and the impact of other public health measures, such as lockdowns, on their physical and social well-being. As COVID vaccines were rolled out, concerns mounted about the small but serious risk of blood clots linked to the AstraZeneca vaccine.
by Emily Clancy
SOUTHERN COLORADO — Children under the age of five may soon be able to get their first COVID-19 vaccinations.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is expected to authorize emergency use of the vaccines for that age group next week. First doses could be administered as early as June 21.
by Emily Clancy
A new study posted on the medRxiv* preprint server found that despite a lower coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine efficacy against reinfection with the Omicron variant, these vaccines demonstrate a marked efficacy against reinfection with severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Alpha and Delta variants, as well as the Omicron variant––lasting up to nine months, post-vaccination. Therefore, individuals who have been infected by the virus in the past must also obtain COVID-19 vaccination.
by Emily Clancy
The White House laid out the federal government’s plans to make the first COVID-19 vaccines available for very young children.
COVID-19 vaccinations for kids younger than 5 could start right after the Juneteenth holiday.
In a White House briefing on Thursday, Dr. Ashish Jha, the White House’s COVID-19 response coordinator, said if the Food and Drug Administration authorizes vaccines for the youngest kids soon after a June 15 advisory meeting, shipments of the first 10 million doses could start arriving at doctors’ offices as soon as the following weekend.
by Emily Clancy
Last year, Saphinah Kenyando was struggling to decide whether to get vaccinated against Covid. Kenyando, who is 38 and teaches chemistry and biology at a high school in Kenya, had read about horrifying side effects—blood clots, long-term disabilities—that sounded worse than the virus itself. She watched a (possibly doctored) clip from former US President Donald Trump saying that the effects included gruesome facial deformities that develop as a person ages. And she wondered whether the rumors circulating on Facebook, WhatsApp, and YouTube were true—that a person could take the jab and drop dead shortly thereafter.
In addition to her academic role, Kenyando also serves as the school chess coach, a duty she takes very seriously. She believes the game imparts valuable lessons to students: Make the right move, and you’ll reap the benefits. Make the wrong one, and you’ll be forced to deal with the fallout. “Chess is life,” she says. “Every decision we make in life is about the game of chess.” That’s how Kenyando framed her own decision on whether to get herself and her children vaccinated against Covid. She decided to hold off until she had more information.
by Emily Clancy
Scientists have discovered through a new study what eventually persuaded people to get vaccinated against COVID-19 after previously saying they were “hesitant” to get jabbed.
The research from the University of Kansas found that “conversion messages” were one of the most effective tools in convincing people to get vaccinated. This was in contrast to “one-sided” messages of advocacy. Conversion messages consisted of people describing someone who had been vaccine-hesitant and then changed their mind.
Read more at Newsweek.
