As we struggle in the United States to get even a minority of adults immunized with a third booster shot of the mRNA vaccines, a news story came out of Israel suggesting that they are essentially ready to begin to administer a fourth dose of the Pfizer vaccine. One of my loyal readers was concerned about thisContinue reading “Are we ready for a 4th COVID-19 booster? Absolutely not!”
Category Archives: Immunity
What to do when you get COVID infected.
The harsh reality of the next few months is that almost all the population will be exposed to COVID-19. Even worse, with the remarkable infectivity of the Omicron virus, all unvaccinated and a significant percentage of vaccinated will get COVID-19. So, in many ways it’s not a question of if, but when? Many more peopleContinue reading “What to do when you get COVID infected.”
Do you need a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine?
Yesterday an article in The Lancet provided an independent scientific assessment of the need for COVID-19 vaccine booster doses. The publication reviewed the current data on booster vaccines, which generally shows very good efficacy even with the Delta variant for the mRNA based vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna. The general tone of the article suggestedContinue reading “Do you need a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine?”
SARS-CoV-2 immunity looks stronger than many expected.
Three pieces of good news from publications that together indicate that immunity obtained from infection with SARS-CoV-2 will protect against further infection, COVID illness, and from infecting other individuals with the virus. The first study in the journal Science examines rhesus macaques infected with SARS–CoV-2. All of the animals who were infected had clinical illness compatible withContinue reading “SARS-CoV-2 immunity looks stronger than many expected.”
Sweden May Show the US the Way Forward
As we try to extract ourselves from lockdown, one approach to move forward is based on Sweden’s response to the pandemic. For those who haven’t heard of Sweden’s approach, they are not doing universal social distancing, did not close down any businesses, and did not cancel any large events. Sweden’s plan was crafted by theirContinue reading “Sweden May Show the US the Way Forward”
MORE than half of NYC is COVID infected
On Sunday I said half of NYC was COVID-19 infected. People thought that I was crazy. Looks like I was wrong; may be higher! https://www1.nyc.gov/site/coronavirus/index.page Time to stop dismissing herd immunity as a potential force in suppressing the pandemic in some of these hotspots!
What are COVID-19 antibody tests and why are so many failing……?
Antibody blood proteins may be the key to knowing who has been infected with CORONA-19 virus. They may also identify individuals who have immunity (protection) against viral infection. Many assays for antibodies are currently available, but some don’t work and give false results. Understanding the immune response to COVID-19 and how antibody assays work isContinue reading “What are COVID-19 antibody tests and why are so many failing……?”
Pandemic Pondering 