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Boosters for Pfizer/BioNTech approved for large group of Americans.

Vaccines

DC Director overrules ACIP and also includes those at high risk due to occupational exposures. Update from this week’s ACIP meeting: āž”ļø ACIP recommended 3rd doses for Pfizer/BioNTech recipients 65+ more than 6 months past their 2nd dose, and for persons 18-64 with underlying medical conditions. āž”ļø ACIP voted NO on boosters based on occupational Read more…

Why do children have less severe COVID-19 than adults?

Biology/Immunity Families/Kids Vaccines

A: A better innate immune response may explain milder COVID-19 disease in kids, but they still CAN and DO get infected and transmit SARS-CoV-2, especially the more transmissible Delta variant. šŸ‘‰šŸ½ TL;DR. Children have fewer ACE2 receptors, a more robust innate immune system, and produce more anti-viral proteins (like type 1 interferons) than adults. These Read more…

COVID vaccine does NOT cause testicles to swell or lead to impotence

Uncertainty and Misinformation Vaccines

šŸŒ Apropos of nothing…a Nerdy reminder that the COVID vaccine does NOT cause testicles to swell or lead to impotence. COVID *infection*, on the other hand…. TL;DR: Due to its impact on inflammation and the vascular system, it is biologically plausible that COVID-19 contributes to erectile dysfunction. But as with much COVID-19 research more, ahem, Read more…

What is the difference between ā€˜an additional primary dose’ and a ā€˜booster dose’?

Vaccines

A. It’s a subtle difference. A booster dose builds up waning immunity in people who made a good immune response to the first vaccine series. A third (or additional) dose helps people who did not make a good response to the first vaccine series and whose immune systems benefit from the additional dose. šŸ‘‰šŸ½TL;DR. A Read more…

Is immunity from natural COVID infection ā€œbetterā€ than vaccine immunity?

Biology/Immunity Vaccines

A: No. Getting vaccinated is by far the safest way to develop immunity to SARS-CoV-2. If you’ve already been infected, getting vaccinated still provides you with the best protection-in fact likely *better* than either previous infection or the vaccine alone. A recent study from Israel created waves with findings that people with previous COVID-19 infection Read more…

Should I get the flu shot?

Vaccines

Short answer: Yes! Except for a very few exceptions, flu vaccines are recommended for everyone 6 months and older. Read on for information about what to expect for this year’s flu season, when to get the shot, and why getting the flu vaccine is so important! Sometimes people say ā€œthe fluā€ to mean a bad Read more…