Enjoy your well-earned break! The amount of useful information packed into each of these posts is, as always, invaluable. In this round, I thought this was particularly striking, regarding grants: “As of February 18, this means the U.S. is answering approximately 2,000 fewer research questions—questions that could improve Americans’ health, quality of life, and longevity.” So much damage from bad governmental policy about which even those of us who are paying attention really have no idea! Thank you for bringing this to our attention. It’s so important right now to be armed with as much knowledge as possible and to find ways to speak up and push back in any way we can.
I got a great question last week that I wasn't sure how to answer. Do adults who received the original HPV vaccine need a booster? My initial thought was "no," but then I considered how many more strains are included in the most current version of Gardasil. I honestly thought maybe a booster with the newer vaccine wasn't a bad idea, although insurance would be unlikely to cover it. Wondering if you or any other doctors/scientists on this thread might have some thoughts on that.
If a person completed the HPV vaccine series with the older versions (2vHPV or 4vHPV) the CDC (pre-RFK) does not have a recommendation to get an additional dose of the current 9vHPV vaccine. The majority of HPV associated cancers are caused by two strains (16 and 18) that are in all three of the previous license vaccines. However, there are other things to consider, and I encourage anyone in this scenario to talk to their healthcare provider to make the best informed decision possible. If you wanna know more, the CDC created this information sheet about this very question (download it while you can!)
Thank you for these updates. I hope you enjoy much deserved time off! Fluoride question for a future post: I listened to a pro/con discussion about Fluoride with reputable presenters and guests recently. The presenter of the “con” side of the argument (I’m vastly oversimplifying here to keep things brief) says that we are now exposed to more fluoride than in the past due to multiple exposure sources, and that dosage is the concern. I’m hoping you or your guest authors can weigh in on this at some point.
Is a booster recommended for 65+ who received Novavax in the fall? I work with people 65+ and this question is coming up a lot because it was touted that Novavax had longer lasting protection overall vs mRNA and many opted for that thinking it would prevent the need for a spring booster.
I'm wondering if the increased incidence of IAE may have something to do with having had COVID? I have a relative who never had any brain or immune function issues before COVID, and since having had it in November, her functioning in these areas has declined quite a lot.
Thank you as always for your updates! You mentioned that canceling the VRBPAC meeting could destabilize insurance coverage for vaccines. Could you explain how this decision creates uncertainty for insurance providers? Does it impact coverage for flu vaccines specifically, or could it have broader implications for other vaccines as well? Much appreciated!
You say the guidance for those of us born before 1957 is that it is assumed we all had measles. But what if we didn’t?? I remember getting 3-day measles, but not the worse kind. Should I get the MMR vaccine? I haven't seen this discussed.
Thank you for all of your incredibly useful information over the past few years, and especially now. As fate would have it, after a cold three weeks ago, I finally caught COVID for what I believe to be the first time ever. My symptoms started Friday morning and a PCR test on Saturday returned positive on Sunday morning. I have kept up-to-date with all vaccine and booster recommendations, largely because of your information on them as I found it difficult to track the scattered information otherwise, so here's hoping it's a mild case. I'm already feeling much better than I did on Friday.
Some of the pharmacies I've been to over the years have been frustratingly misinformed regarding the availability and eligibility for a spring covid shot, and have turned people away who should not have been. Can anyone direct us to a resource where this is officially documented so it can be presented to the pharmacist if needed?
Thank you for your excellent work. In the section on science output being slowed and federal grants being cut, you don't mention the effect on college students applying for PhD programs. Many have cut their programs and even students who have received admission offers have had those rescinded. Would you be so kind as to write about that and the effect that will have on science going forward? Thank you.
I am 80. As a child in the pre-vaccination days, I had all of the common childhood diseases, including measles. I don't recall any discussion of children ending up in the hospital with measles. Is my memory faulty, is measles currently more vicious, or did we perhaps have antibodies that provided some degree of protection?
Much appreciation for your work, always, but especially now. Thank you.
No one deserves a vacation more than you do, Dr. Jetelina!
Enjoy your time off. We'll all still be here when you're back. As always, your work is appreciated.
Second this!
Enjoy your well-earned break! The amount of useful information packed into each of these posts is, as always, invaluable. In this round, I thought this was particularly striking, regarding grants: “As of February 18, this means the U.S. is answering approximately 2,000 fewer research questions—questions that could improve Americans’ health, quality of life, and longevity.” So much damage from bad governmental policy about which even those of us who are paying attention really have no idea! Thank you for bringing this to our attention. It’s so important right now to be armed with as much knowledge as possible and to find ways to speak up and push back in any way we can.
I got a great question last week that I wasn't sure how to answer. Do adults who received the original HPV vaccine need a booster? My initial thought was "no," but then I considered how many more strains are included in the most current version of Gardasil. I honestly thought maybe a booster with the newer vaccine wasn't a bad idea, although insurance would be unlikely to cover it. Wondering if you or any other doctors/scientists on this thread might have some thoughts on that.
If a person completed the HPV vaccine series with the older versions (2vHPV or 4vHPV) the CDC (pre-RFK) does not have a recommendation to get an additional dose of the current 9vHPV vaccine. The majority of HPV associated cancers are caused by two strains (16 and 18) that are in all three of the previous license vaccines. However, there are other things to consider, and I encourage anyone in this scenario to talk to their healthcare provider to make the best informed decision possible. If you wanna know more, the CDC created this information sheet about this very question (download it while you can!)
https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/downloads/9vhpv-guidance.pdf
Thank you for these updates. I hope you enjoy much deserved time off! Fluoride question for a future post: I listened to a pro/con discussion about Fluoride with reputable presenters and guests recently. The presenter of the “con” side of the argument (I’m vastly oversimplifying here to keep things brief) says that we are now exposed to more fluoride than in the past due to multiple exposure sources, and that dosage is the concern. I’m hoping you or your guest authors can weigh in on this at some point.
Is a booster recommended for 65+ who received Novavax in the fall? I work with people 65+ and this question is coming up a lot because it was touted that Novavax had longer lasting protection overall vs mRNA and many opted for that thinking it would prevent the need for a spring booster.
I'm wondering if the increased incidence of IAE may have something to do with having had COVID? I have a relative who never had any brain or immune function issues before COVID, and since having had it in November, her functioning in these areas has declined quite a lot.
Enjoy your vacation!
What is IAE?
Infuenza-associated encephalopathy
Thank you as always for your updates! You mentioned that canceling the VRBPAC meeting could destabilize insurance coverage for vaccines. Could you explain how this decision creates uncertainty for insurance providers? Does it impact coverage for flu vaccines specifically, or could it have broader implications for other vaccines as well? Much appreciated!
You say the guidance for those of us born before 1957 is that it is assumed we all had measles. But what if we didn’t?? I remember getting 3-day measles, but not the worse kind. Should I get the MMR vaccine? I haven't seen this discussed.
Thank you for all of your incredibly useful information over the past few years, and especially now. As fate would have it, after a cold three weeks ago, I finally caught COVID for what I believe to be the first time ever. My symptoms started Friday morning and a PCR test on Saturday returned positive on Sunday morning. I have kept up-to-date with all vaccine and booster recommendations, largely because of your information on them as I found it difficult to track the scattered information otherwise, so here's hoping it's a mild case. I'm already feeling much better than I did on Friday.
Some of the pharmacies I've been to over the years have been frustratingly misinformed regarding the availability and eligibility for a spring covid shot, and have turned people away who should not have been. Can anyone direct us to a resource where this is officially documented so it can be presented to the pharmacist if needed?
I was looking into this last week. Hope it's helpful. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7349a2.htm
Thank you, thank you for your important work.
enjoy the wine and tapas and some time off!
Thank you for your excellent work. In the section on science output being slowed and federal grants being cut, you don't mention the effect on college students applying for PhD programs. Many have cut their programs and even students who have received admission offers have had those rescinded. Would you be so kind as to write about that and the effect that will have on science going forward? Thank you.
I am 80. As a child in the pre-vaccination days, I had all of the common childhood diseases, including measles. I don't recall any discussion of children ending up in the hospital with measles. Is my memory faulty, is measles currently more vicious, or did we perhaps have antibodies that provided some degree of protection?
Thank you!!