I'd love to read more data and speculation re: the pros and cons of Novavax vs. the Pfizer/Moderna vaccines, as well as the current thinking about vaccination intervals. Are we any closer to understanding the seasonal pattern and OAS? (Also, Eric, I am truly grateful for your work, your vision, and persistence.)
I don't buy the seasonal pattern at all. We have had waves of similar magnitude in both hemispheres simultaneously. I don't know of any material difference between these 3 vaccines and the new boosters, but all the data I've reviewed highlights the benefit of incremental immune repose with mixing (heterologous) dosing.
As usual Eric, another excellent overview of the situation, with almost moment to moment insights of real value that you have collated and laid out for us all ... Many thank once again!
Dr. Topol, I join the chorus of deep appreciation for your work and ongoing public-facing communications, which we know can be very challenging in this environment. This missive I found particularly useful, putting together a wealth of current studies and information together with your always intelligent and forthright observations. I really do hope, as you do, that the Novovax option will not be delayed. Thank you so much for all.
New subscriber and appreciate the most recent post. Given that 3 vaccines are recommended: RSV, Flu and Covid, what is the interval between RSV and the final two? Cannot find answer to this question anywhere.
Thoughts/comments on this thread? Would it make sense (be preferable) for those of us who have previously gotten mRNA boosters to get the Novavax booster this time? Thank you.
Thanks. That thread is excellent and is good rationale for getting the Novavax booster (as I briefly laid out) for the potential heterologous advantage of enhanced immune response
I think the pharmaceutical companies will get away with this outrageous pricing because for many people COVID is “over” and no longer believed to be a public health threat. Also there is ongoing misinformation, even giving previous routine immunizations is harder. had to convince two patients this past week to receive their flu vaccine. Under the false impression that this years flu vaccine was combined with COVID.
This is a little confusing for me, since I thought I’ve read that the current variant mix has enough features in common that the new vaccine would be protective against most of them, thus presumably an individual should be protected against that current variant mix by a recent infection. I hope I’m not belaboring the point, could you please clarify this. Thanks!!
Hello, thank you for your info. I've been reading about the spike proteins not being able to break down in the body as originally intended, and thus causing inflammation issues. I had a friend who went to the Mayo clinic and was diagnosed with a vaccine injury that created some debilitating muscle disease. He said the immunologists there were aware of this happening elsewhere. Legit story.
And then I saw this video supposedly from some German studies and wonder about the legitimacy on it. Would the novavax vaccine work differently with the spike proteins in the body than the Mrna vaccines? I appreciate your help. The reason this is important to me is that I have had substantial fatigue the past year and I do wonder if it could be a reaction to the Pfizer Mrna boosters. I have had 4 in the past. I have not had covid yet.
I'd love to read more data and speculation re: the pros and cons of Novavax vs. the Pfizer/Moderna vaccines, as well as the current thinking about vaccination intervals. Are we any closer to understanding the seasonal pattern and OAS? (Also, Eric, I am truly grateful for your work, your vision, and persistence.)
I don't buy the seasonal pattern at all. We have had waves of similar magnitude in both hemispheres simultaneously. I don't know of any material difference between these 3 vaccines and the new boosters, but all the data I've reviewed highlights the benefit of incremental immune repose with mixing (heterologous) dosing.
As usual Eric, another excellent overview of the situation, with almost moment to moment insights of real value that you have collated and laid out for us all ... Many thank once again!
Shannon
thank you, Shannon!
Dr. Topol, I join the chorus of deep appreciation for your work and ongoing public-facing communications, which we know can be very challenging in this environment. This missive I found particularly useful, putting together a wealth of current studies and information together with your always intelligent and forthright observations. I really do hope, as you do, that the Novovax option will not be delayed. Thank you so much for all.
Thanks Susan!
New subscriber and appreciate the most recent post. Given that 3 vaccines are recommended: RSV, Flu and Covid, what is the interval between RSV and the final two? Cannot find answer to this question anywhere.
Good question on timing.
These are 2 good sources
https://www.nytimes.com/article/flu-covid-rsv-vaccines.html
https://yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/p/your-top-7-questions-about-fall-vaccines
But the data for co-admin vaccines is not at all compelling https://twitter.com/EricTopol/status/1700175660172693522
We're doing a Medscape Live event Sept 19th to address this, too
https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/4931460717051766106?source=Topol
Thank you
re: https://twitter.com/jeffgilchrist/status/1700854098755563660
Thoughts/comments on this thread? Would it make sense (be preferable) for those of us who have previously gotten mRNA boosters to get the Novavax booster this time? Thank you.
Thanks. That thread is excellent and is good rationale for getting the Novavax booster (as I briefly laid out) for the potential heterologous advantage of enhanced immune response
Thank you for your prompt response - greatly appreciate all your updates.
I think the pharmaceutical companies will get away with this outrageous pricing because for many people COVID is “over” and no longer believed to be a public health threat. Also there is ongoing misinformation, even giving previous routine immunizations is harder. had to convince two patients this past week to receive their flu vaccine. Under the false impression that this years flu vaccine was combined with COVID.
I’d love to hear your thoughts re the booster for someone over 65 who just had covid 4 weeks ago. Thanks!
I wouldn't get it right away, but after 8 weeks post-Covid it would likely be helpful for added protection
This is a little confusing for me, since I thought I’ve read that the current variant mix has enough features in common that the new vaccine would be protective against most of them, thus presumably an individual should be protected against that current variant mix by a recent infection. I hope I’m not belaboring the point, could you please clarify this. Thanks!!
I am happy to share our first results about the BNT162b2 XBB.1.5 vaccine
https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.10.04.23296545
So glad to share our first data about the BNT162b2 XBB.1.5 booster.
https://twitter.com/behrens_georg/status/1710121364663779389?s=19
Hello, thank you for your info. I've been reading about the spike proteins not being able to break down in the body as originally intended, and thus causing inflammation issues. I had a friend who went to the Mayo clinic and was diagnosed with a vaccine injury that created some debilitating muscle disease. He said the immunologists there were aware of this happening elsewhere. Legit story.
And then I saw this video supposedly from some German studies and wonder about the legitimacy on it. Would the novavax vaccine work differently with the spike proteins in the body than the Mrna vaccines? I appreciate your help. The reason this is important to me is that I have had substantial fatigue the past year and I do wonder if it could be a reaction to the Pfizer Mrna boosters. I have had 4 in the past. I have not had covid yet.
Here's the video on the German studies https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEE5OfiVS7o