A: Yes. It looks like an updated formula with an XBB variant will be headed our way soon in the US. TL;DR: ✅Fall boosters will be comprised of one (a “monovalent”) XBB strain. ✅The closely related XBB strains protect well against each other, so vaccine makers will pick one (might be XBB1.5). ✅The original SARS-CoV-2 Read more…
A: The new respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine will be given to pregnant people and passes on RSV immunity to their newborns. RSV is a serious respiratory infection that can cause hospitalization and death in infants. Clinical trials showed a good safety profile. About RSV and recent outbreaks RSV is a common respiratory infection that Read more…
Those Nerdy Girls offer up straight talk about sex, gender, chocolate and Mifepristone, plus an update on COVID-19 boosters. Hosted by: – Mary-Kathleen Haber, FNP-C, MSN, IBCLC, TNG Contributing Member, Reproductive Squad – Chana Davis, PhD: TNG Contributing Writer & Founder of Fueled by Science ➡️ Hello and Introductions (00:00-01:10) ➡️ What are the latest Read more…
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has amended the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the Moderna and Pfizer mRNA vaccines. These changes have now been officially approved by the CDC. An additional dose of bivalent vaccine is now allowed for: ➡️ People aged 65 and over more than 4 months past their last dose. ➡️ Read more…
A: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that kids aged 6 months to 4 years old that got the original Moderna vaccine for the primary series get an updated Moderna booster and that kids in this age group that got the original Pfizer vaccine for all three doses of the primary series get Read more…
“Receiving more than one updated booster is not currently authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.” The US CDC issued the above guidance this week (March 27th), stating: “At this time, one updated booster dose is recommended for everyone in order to maintain protection from severe illness.” **Correction: This article was corrected on March Read more…
A: Yes, you can and Ramadan Mubarak! Islamic leaders and scholars agree that getting the COVID-19 vaccine does not break the fast for Ramadan. If you have not yet gotten your primary vaccine series or bivalent booster, you still can! Read on for more answers to your questions about Ramadan and COVID-19 vaccines. Ramadan is Read more…
Yes…and no. A past COVID-19 infection does provide good protection against re-infection and severe disease–IF you survived your first infection. Vaccination is still by far the safest way to get your first look at the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and build immune defenses for a future encounter. A recent meta-analysis of 65 studies from 19 countries Read more…
A: Scientists are working on it, but it may be a year or longer before they are available in the U.S. and E.U. Several groups in the U.S. are working to develop nasal vaccines for COVD-19, but most are still doing pre-clinical trials in animals. Two groups have progressed to studying humans, and one of Read more…
Join Those Nerdy Girls for answers to your questions about COVID-19 and more. Today’s topics include boosters, masking, and the media frenzy about erythritol and health. Hosted by: – Jenn Dowd, PhD:TNG Editor in Chief & Founding Member – Chana Davis, PhD: TNG Contributing Writer & Founder of Fueled by Science ➡️ Hello and Introductions: Read more…
A: Yes! COVID-19 vaccines are safe to give with other vaccines. Vaccination is incredibly important and delaying vaccination can result in increased risks of infection, serious illness, or death. Many parents and families worry about giving the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as other routine childhood vaccines. But we come with good news! It Read more…
Fun!! We are jealous! The CDC monitors infectious diseases all over the world and makes recommendations for immunizations you might need that aren’t common in the United States. They keep an up-do-date list for each country. Just go to the CDC Traveler’s Health website and choose your destination. You’ll see notices about any special health Read more…
A: Currently, there is no recommendation for additional boosters. TL;DR: The U.S. may be moving towards annual boosters, but with “flexibility” for the most vulnerable if the situation changes. Last week the U.S. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met to discuss the future of COVID-19 vaccines. The group acknowledged that older (>65 years) and Read more…
A: No. The Office of National Statistics in England just released some comprehensive new data comparing deaths from ALL causes by COVID vaccination status. Across all age groups, death rates are consistently lower among vaccinated vs. unvaccinated people. You can also clearly see the spikes in mortality associated with the Delta & Omicron waves that Read more…
Thanks to Oregon Health Authority for a concise answer to one of our most common current questions! Image text: Question: I had my bivalent COVID-19 vaccine (my 5th vaccine) in early September 2022, along with my flu shot. Since these vaccines wear off over time, will I be able to receive another COVID-19 and flu Read more…
