One way (maybe the only way) we’re going to get out of this pandemic is to vaccinate a large portion of the global population. To the WHO, this means reaching 70% of the population by mid-2022, which is ~3 billion unvaccinated people with 6-9 billion doses before another variant of concern.
What are the chances of these two being offered within the US? I know there are some that do not like the idea of the RNA vaccines. Also, think these would eventually make great boosters as they work on a different part of the immune system.
Hotez and Botazzi are rock stars. Makes me wish I was still at the Texas Medical Center.
I've been anxiously awaiting both of these vaccines because they're safe, effective and don't have to employ a huge distribution infrastructure. We really can vaccinate the world. And, I applaud Dr Hotez's novel employment of a good Texas-originated vodka for funding. What most people don't appreciate is how much work goes into funding research and development and how little of it comes from the Feds.
I also especially like getting a bit more diversity in the classes of vaccines available. Perhaps (I know I'm stretching) using the Novavax technology will reduce some hesitancy among the skeptics.
Relative to your opening comment, is there a concise explanation for why natural immunity is inadequate to achieve that goal? Consensus reports seem to be that Omicron is significantly less lethal then the 2020 virus, is now the dominant strain, has spread worldwide, and is profoundly communicable.
If true, doesn't the rapid spread of this highly communicable but mild virus, added to the now substantial pool of previously infected but recovered persons get us to international herd immunity sooner than vaccines? Also are we right in assuming that natural immunity is superior to vaccinated immunity in terms of protection against future variants?
So important to report on. Thank you! And I appreciated the addition of the global map that shows how woefully behind the US is in vaccination rates compared to most of the world.
As you say, the mRNA vaccines are solutions for wealthy countries who can support the logistics of ultra cold storage.
The world needs alternatives, and these are promising. The challenge is, as you point out, that the Novavax trials were conducted with vaccines that were apparently not manufactured to FDA standards for purity and reproducibility between batches (there have been public statements citing CMC issues). The risk is that it is difficult to know whether the safety and efficacy data from different batches are comparable. I suspect this conundrum explains why there has been such a long delay between the conduct of the trials and the EUA. Very frustrating from everyone's perspective. Hopefully the path for sorting this all out is now established.
Nice to see moths doing something other than putting holes in my knitting yearn. Nice reporting job....Bon chance to Tito's Vodka as well.
Sorry, just a retired Micrrobiologists humor. You are giving us wonderful information.
What are the chances of these two being offered within the US? I know there are some that do not like the idea of the RNA vaccines. Also, think these would eventually make great boosters as they work on a different part of the immune system.
Hotez and Botazzi are rock stars. Makes me wish I was still at the Texas Medical Center.
I've been anxiously awaiting both of these vaccines because they're safe, effective and don't have to employ a huge distribution infrastructure. We really can vaccinate the world. And, I applaud Dr Hotez's novel employment of a good Texas-originated vodka for funding. What most people don't appreciate is how much work goes into funding research and development and how little of it comes from the Feds.
I also especially like getting a bit more diversity in the classes of vaccines available. Perhaps (I know I'm stretching) using the Novavax technology will reduce some hesitancy among the skeptics.
Thank you for reporting on this wonderful news. I appreciate your column very much.
Relative to your opening comment, is there a concise explanation for why natural immunity is inadequate to achieve that goal? Consensus reports seem to be that Omicron is significantly less lethal then the 2020 virus, is now the dominant strain, has spread worldwide, and is profoundly communicable.
If true, doesn't the rapid spread of this highly communicable but mild virus, added to the now substantial pool of previously infected but recovered persons get us to international herd immunity sooner than vaccines? Also are we right in assuming that natural immunity is superior to vaccinated immunity in terms of protection against future variants?
So important to report on. Thank you! And I appreciated the addition of the global map that shows how woefully behind the US is in vaccination rates compared to most of the world.
Is there reason to hope that immunity from Novavax might last longer than from the mRNA vaccines? Thanks for all of your work!
As you say, the mRNA vaccines are solutions for wealthy countries who can support the logistics of ultra cold storage.
The world needs alternatives, and these are promising. The challenge is, as you point out, that the Novavax trials were conducted with vaccines that were apparently not manufactured to FDA standards for purity and reproducibility between batches (there have been public statements citing CMC issues). The risk is that it is difficult to know whether the safety and efficacy data from different batches are comparable. I suspect this conundrum explains why there has been such a long delay between the conduct of the trials and the EUA. Very frustrating from everyone's perspective. Hopefully the path for sorting this all out is now established.
I would love to read your comments about Cuba's development of 5 different vaccines.
Any update on the US military's vaccine development efforts?
Thanks so much for your reporting. Appreciate your perspectives (including as a mom) and your personal touch.
Thanks for your very helpful updates, and this one is hopeful, too!
We could sure use something new. Have you seen Israel's death rate?
Love this! So exciting!