It’s that time of year where we’re looking at vaccines. We have more choices and things to consider this year, including Covid, RSV and of course, Flu! Most of this post is summarized from my favorite epidemiologist, Dr Katelyn Jetelina (links below.)

Five reasons to consider getting the Covid vaccine

Covid-19 is more transmissible, more severe, has more long-term implications, and is more unpredictable than the flu. So, why is coverage so much lower than flu? 

1. Covid-19 circulates year-round, while flu circulates seasonally. This means that ~15% of the population was infected with Covid-19 this summer and do not need the fall vaccine. 
2. Debate on eligibility. There is a debate about whether those under 65 “need” a Covid-19 vaccine. Many physicians I highly regard (but disagree with) are on the fence about recommending it for everyone. We don’t have this with flu. 
3. Lack of access. The choppy rollout this fall is well documented. Even with distribution smoothed out, there is a lack of access. For some local health clinics, the vaccine costs more than they can afford or willing to financially risk. This is causing grave inequities. The closest place for my youngest is 50 miles away. 
4. Fatigue. We have been hammered to get Covid-19 vaccines for the past three years. People are just… tired… of hearing about it. 
5. Lack of resources. There is now zero federal money for a Covid-19 vaccine campaign for education and outreach. Health departments are on their own, too. (The panic and neglect cycle is too real in public health.)
   https://yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/p/fall-2023-vaccine-coverage-and-reaching

Novavax

The Novavax Covid-19 vaccine contains a coronavirus protein that prompts the immune system. (This differs from Pfizer or Moderna mRNA vaccines, which contain instructions for recognizing the coronavirus.) Scientists combined this protein with an immune-boosting compound derived from the soapbark tree. 

This type of vaccine has a much longer track record than the newer approaches. But the innovative aspect is that Novavax found a way to make this vaccine in moth cells (rather than mammal cells). The moth cells become little factories that pump out coronavirus proteins. This allows Novavax to manufacture the vaccine much more quickly than others, which is one reason they can get this to market in 6 months (as opposed to longer).
https://yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/p/novavax-is-here

WHO Guidelines on Masks, Treatments and Patient Care

WHO has updated its guidelines on mask wearing in community settings, COVID-19 treatments, and clinical management. This is part of a continuous process of reviewing such materials, working with guideline development groups composed of independent, international experts who consider the latest available evidence and the changing epidemiology.
https://www.who.int/news/item/13-01-2023-who-updates-covid-19-guidelines-on-masks–treatments-and-patient-care