Thank you for all of your questions! You’re keeping us busy here at YLE. Here are answers to the top 7 that I’ve received in my inbox. When will we know about the COVID-19 vaccine? The ACIP meeting is now scheduled for September 12. This will be a huge meeting, as we will find out:
Thanks, great list. In the past, FDA restricted Novavax to individuals 18 years and older "for whom mRNA bivalent booster vaccines is not accessible or clinically appropriate" or "who would otherwise not receive a booster vaccine dose."
This language was very confusing to pharmacies, so many of the larger ones (like Costco) "complied" by turning away people seeking vaccines and boosters.
Will there still be restrictions on Novavax this fall? With all the mRNA shots I've received, I'd like to mix it up this time.
I have one employee who still thinks the mRNA shots have microchips and only took the J&J shot. Even after the warning for her age group. This makes the Novavax a welcome option when I urge vaccination in my office!
Frustrating: those who are most needy, such as with autoimmune diseases, can have flares from vaccines. More studies there would be helpful one of these days. IBD, RA, PsA, etc.,. Obviously infection can as well. But vaccine effectiveness in those taking one of the myriad of medications so often advertised would also be welcome. These are the individuals most likely to want and need the vaccine to participate in the world and life.
You mentioned that a negative for the Novavax shot was "Negative: Novavax produced significantly lower levels of a specific antibody called IgG". I'm not sure what this means. What does this antibody do? How can we understand how this might affect us?
I understand it’s safe to get the Covid and flu vaccines together. But is it optimal? Is there advantage to spacing them out? For many like me, going repeatedly to get vaccinated is very very easy because the pharmacy is in the grocery store where we go regularly anyway. If it’s even slightly better to space them out I would.
Biggest question yet to be answered goes to the point YLE dropped in a previous post: What is the optimum timing between infection and updated shot for those with hybrid immunity? Previous post said “at least 6 months” and promised more detail soon? Dr. Katelyn, would love this detail and some way to assess risk/reward as we do our best to plan to maximize protection (including planning travel, winter gatherings with family, etc.).
Wow, this is so helpful no so clearly set out! Thank you so much. I’ll add (or this might duplicate) a three questions:
1) can you explain a little more the negative bout Novovax? I am also inclined to get that, to avoid the side effects I’ve experienced with the Moderna and Pfizer.
2) for those of us who had the 6th booster earlier this year (for me 6/15), do you have a recommendation re how long to wait before getting the new monovalent? Allied with that, any thoughts on how effective it will be v. the newest variants?
2) I recognize they are likely rare, but I am leery of getting the RSV vax until more is known. (I am older, but also continue to take more precautions than most--a good mask is my best friend, eg--and will continue to do that, so I am hoping I can get by without that one this year.) if you have any thoughts on how to assess risk benefit, they would be welcome.
I’ve said this before, and I’m sure I’ll say it again, but THANK YOU. I am so very grateful for clear, concise information and advice that I can trust.
I am a physician, yet have difficulty finding good information on the V Zoster/ shingles vaccine for seniors. Since this vaccine consideration factors into all the other vaccines recommended for seniors which you have discussed, please include discussion of Shringrix co-administration, side-effect profile and the best numbers available on the potential neurological side effect of GBS.
Will there be restrictions to receiving Novavax this fall? It's availability is very limited in my area, and without clear language to pharmacies, it is likely that many pharmacists will refuse to give it to those of us who have had the mRNA series.
I had trouble getting insurance coverage at a pharmacy for RSV although eligible. My insurance company lmk that if if the provider enters the MEDICAL number on my card rather than pharmacy number, it will be approved. Perhaps where a shot is initiated also makes a difference (my doctor would seek approval through the medical side of things). I’ll see later today.
Regarding the RSV vaccine. Has RSV recently become more prevalent or dangerous, or is it just a matter of a vaccine now being available? Given the uncertainty about whether there is a safety issue, would you recommend a healthy older adult, who is already being relatively cautious regarding masking, etc., get the vaccine now or wait for further safety data?
Can you please do a deeper dive into immunological imprinting (starting with what it is, for a layperson!) and how it might be impacted by not only multiple boosters, but also getting vaccines after an infection? TYIA
Great questions and very helpful answers! Thanks so much for doing this, Dr. Jetalina. It feels like the FDA/CDC have been taking their time getting to this point, since we have a wave of sorts right now, but your point about winter having a worse one is well made. Those of us under 65 are now on an annual basis for the Covid vaccine, too, so I’m sure getting their ducks in a row for a fall roll out puts this right on target.
I’m 62 and have had four Moderna Covid shots and one Pfizer (the bivalent). I know you’ve discussed this before, but is there any new information on getting additional benefit from going with Novavax this time, beyond what you’ve outlined here?
Also, will we know before the upcoming ACIP meeting how the three new boosters fare against BA.2.86?
Your top 7 questions about fall vaccines answered
Thanks, great list. In the past, FDA restricted Novavax to individuals 18 years and older "for whom mRNA bivalent booster vaccines is not accessible or clinically appropriate" or "who would otherwise not receive a booster vaccine dose."
This language was very confusing to pharmacies, so many of the larger ones (like Costco) "complied" by turning away people seeking vaccines and boosters.
Will there still be restrictions on Novavax this fall? With all the mRNA shots I've received, I'd like to mix it up this time.
I have one employee who still thinks the mRNA shots have microchips and only took the J&J shot. Even after the warning for her age group. This makes the Novavax a welcome option when I urge vaccination in my office!
Frustrating: those who are most needy, such as with autoimmune diseases, can have flares from vaccines. More studies there would be helpful one of these days. IBD, RA, PsA, etc.,. Obviously infection can as well. But vaccine effectiveness in those taking one of the myriad of medications so often advertised would also be welcome. These are the individuals most likely to want and need the vaccine to participate in the world and life.
9/12, noted and thank you!!
You mentioned that a negative for the Novavax shot was "Negative: Novavax produced significantly lower levels of a specific antibody called IgG". I'm not sure what this means. What does this antibody do? How can we understand how this might affect us?
I understand it’s safe to get the Covid and flu vaccines together. But is it optimal? Is there advantage to spacing them out? For many like me, going repeatedly to get vaccinated is very very easy because the pharmacy is in the grocery store where we go regularly anyway. If it’s even slightly better to space them out I would.
Biggest question yet to be answered goes to the point YLE dropped in a previous post: What is the optimum timing between infection and updated shot for those with hybrid immunity? Previous post said “at least 6 months” and promised more detail soon? Dr. Katelyn, would love this detail and some way to assess risk/reward as we do our best to plan to maximize protection (including planning travel, winter gatherings with family, etc.).
Wow, this is so helpful no so clearly set out! Thank you so much. I’ll add (or this might duplicate) a three questions:
1) can you explain a little more the negative bout Novovax? I am also inclined to get that, to avoid the side effects I’ve experienced with the Moderna and Pfizer.
2) for those of us who had the 6th booster earlier this year (for me 6/15), do you have a recommendation re how long to wait before getting the new monovalent? Allied with that, any thoughts on how effective it will be v. the newest variants?
2) I recognize they are likely rare, but I am leery of getting the RSV vax until more is known. (I am older, but also continue to take more precautions than most--a good mask is my best friend, eg--and will continue to do that, so I am hoping I can get by without that one this year.) if you have any thoughts on how to assess risk benefit, they would be welcome.
I’ve said this before, and I’m sure I’ll say it again, but THANK YOU. I am so very grateful for clear, concise information and advice that I can trust.
I am a physician, yet have difficulty finding good information on the V Zoster/ shingles vaccine for seniors. Since this vaccine consideration factors into all the other vaccines recommended for seniors which you have discussed, please include discussion of Shringrix co-administration, side-effect profile and the best numbers available on the potential neurological side effect of GBS.
Will there be restrictions to receiving Novavax this fall? It's availability is very limited in my area, and without clear language to pharmacies, it is likely that many pharmacists will refuse to give it to those of us who have had the mRNA series.
Dr Jetelina - Nice quote in today’s Wall Street Journal! 🌟
https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-variant-fall-2023-pirola-4839517f
Given what we know about secondary attack rates, could there be any benefit to staggering within a household?
I had trouble getting insurance coverage at a pharmacy for RSV although eligible. My insurance company lmk that if if the provider enters the MEDICAL number on my card rather than pharmacy number, it will be approved. Perhaps where a shot is initiated also makes a difference (my doctor would seek approval through the medical side of things). I’ll see later today.
Regarding the RSV vaccine. Has RSV recently become more prevalent or dangerous, or is it just a matter of a vaccine now being available? Given the uncertainty about whether there is a safety issue, would you recommend a healthy older adult, who is already being relatively cautious regarding masking, etc., get the vaccine now or wait for further safety data?
Can you please do a deeper dive into immunological imprinting (starting with what it is, for a layperson!) and how it might be impacted by not only multiple boosters, but also getting vaccines after an infection? TYIA
Great questions and very helpful answers! Thanks so much for doing this, Dr. Jetalina. It feels like the FDA/CDC have been taking their time getting to this point, since we have a wave of sorts right now, but your point about winter having a worse one is well made. Those of us under 65 are now on an annual basis for the Covid vaccine, too, so I’m sure getting their ducks in a row for a fall roll out puts this right on target.
I’m 62 and have had four Moderna Covid shots and one Pfizer (the bivalent). I know you’ve discussed this before, but is there any new information on getting additional benefit from going with Novavax this time, beyond what you’ve outlined here?
Also, will we know before the upcoming ACIP meeting how the three new boosters fare against BA.2.86?
As always, thanks for everything that you do!
Thank you for the update!
Has there been any study regarding which Covid vaccine is best against the new variant?