Is Pfizer holding up against Delta? The CDC is not tracking mild-moderate breakthrough cases, so in order to answer this we are dependent on tracking local numbers or data from other countries. On a local level, Pfizer seems to be holding up against severe disease. The problem is data coming out of Israel and the UK are drastically disagreeing:
Just a thought. I keep reading about extra, unused vaccines not being used. What if we started giving that surplus of vaccines as a booster? For example, I had my second vaccine in the middle of February, I am willing to go get another dose. Can't hurt. So why not. Seems like a good use instead of disposing of it as it expires.
I understand your point about antibodies waning but the immune system response still being effective; however, if Israel is seeing a real signal of more infections in individuals vaccinated earlier, that seems like it could suggest a waning immune response. I would be interested to know if the population vaccinated in Israel in January was the same as in April, or perhaps older people with weaker immune response in general were vaccinated first—seems like that would confound it). Regardless, even if #3 doesn’t hold up, #1 alone makes me think a booster could be beneficial.
Thank you for actually bringing up the different dosing schedules! Felt like I was taking crazy pills as expert after expert didn't even find that worthy of bringing up.
Worth noting that those in the US whom we consider the most fragile and/or essential were vaccinated in a manner that more closely resembles the Israeli pattern than the UK one.
So, you say you are not convinced of #1 and #3 - are you saying it’s more likely that the issue is better protection from A-Z? I had been finding #1 and 3 compelling (and itching to get loved ones who are 6mo out a booster)
Just a thought. I keep reading about extra, unused vaccines not being used. What if we started giving that surplus of vaccines as a booster? For example, I had my second vaccine in the middle of February, I am willing to go get another dose. Can't hurt. So why not. Seems like a good use instead of disposing of it as it expires.
I understand your point about antibodies waning but the immune system response still being effective; however, if Israel is seeing a real signal of more infections in individuals vaccinated earlier, that seems like it could suggest a waning immune response. I would be interested to know if the population vaccinated in Israel in January was the same as in April, or perhaps older people with weaker immune response in general were vaccinated first—seems like that would confound it). Regardless, even if #3 doesn’t hold up, #1 alone makes me think a booster could be beneficial.
Sounds like we are more closely aligned with Israel after reading this. So yeah drastic measures are needed
Why are we not tracking?
Thank you for actually bringing up the different dosing schedules! Felt like I was taking crazy pills as expert after expert didn't even find that worthy of bringing up.
Worth noting that those in the US whom we consider the most fragile and/or essential were vaccinated in a manner that more closely resembles the Israeli pattern than the UK one.
Love reading your stuff! Do you follow Dr. John Campbell on YouTube?
I think in the first bullet point you meant to write "symptomatic" but instead wrote "systematic".
New subscriber here: Thank you for your work! I am doing a story about the phenomenon of people who want a booster but can't get one without lying. Relates to what Julie and Scott say below. Could I get your opinion of whether it's OK to tell an untruth about vaccine status? Or if you should politely wait in line with your hands neatly folded until you are called to do so? If you want, I'm at jeanne@clearhealthcosts.com. Here's my earlier piece; it was kind of a hot mess! https://clearhealthcosts.com/blog/2021/07/coronavirus-covid-19-and-the-vaccine-what-about-boosters-or-if-you-got-johnson-and-johnson-what-about-getting-a-second-shot/
So, you say you are not convinced of #1 and #3 - are you saying it’s more likely that the issue is better protection from A-Z? I had been finding #1 and 3 compelling (and itching to get loved ones who are 6mo out a booster)