Why Haven’t the Pfizer and Moderna Vaccines Been Approved Yet?
Many Americans say they’re waiting until a vaccine is approved (not just emergency authorized) to get vaccinated. With so many still unvaccinated and Delta sparking exponential growth and increases in hospitalizations and deaths (see Dr. Gerald’s Sobering Epidemiology & Hospital Capacity Update), there’s growing pressure for the FDA to approve one or more of the authorized vaccines. In addition to getting hesitant folks off the fence, approval would make universities, governments and employers
Sobering Epidemiology & Hospital Capacity Update from Dr. Gerald
VIEW THIS WEEK’S FULL REPORT Summary from Dr. Gerald’s Report: This past week saw another marked increase in viral transmission. Arizona is now experiencing high levels of transmission that will be sustained for weeks to come. This outbreak will almost certainly be as big as the one experienced in summer of 2020. While I am optimistic it will not reach the levels seen in the winter of 2021, the experience
When All Is Said & Done, Mix & Match Vaccines May Provide the Best Protection
NATURE: IMMUNOGENICITY AND REACTOGENICITY OF HETEROLOGOUS CHADOX1 NCOV-19/MRNA VACCINATION Abstract: In this observational study we show that, in healthy adult individuals, the heterologous vaccine regimen induced spike-specific IgG, neutralizing antibodies and spike-specific CD4 T cells, the levels of which which were significantly higher than after homologous vector vaccine boost and higher or comparable in magnitude to homologous mRNA vaccine regimens. Moreover, spike-specific CD8 T cell levels after heterologous vaccination were significantly higher than after
Pima County Health Department Issues Standing Order for COVID Cases in Schools
DIRECTIVE DEFIES MS. HARRIER’S SILLY LETTER ‘PROHIBITING’ QUARANTINE The Pima County Health Department issued a standing order last week specifying the requirements that schools and students must must follow when there are COVID-19 cases in schools. The order also outlines the necessary isolation timelines for vaccinated and unvaccinated students and aims aims to eliminate confusion among schools in Pima County’s jurisdiction and to slow the spread of COVID-19. NEW MARICOPA COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC
CDC Recommends Vaccinated People Wear Masks in Public in Areas of High Transmission
IMPLEMENTING COVID-19 PREVENTION STRATEGIES IN THE CONTEXT OF VARYING COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION LEVELS & VACCINATION COVERAGE Last week CDC changed their guidance for people living in areas of high transmission (like Arizona) urging everyone to wear a mask whether or not they’re vaccinated. There was a lot more to the guidance – but that was the top line change. I initially had a beef with the CDC on that change because
Expect Legal Action This Week
There’ll no doubt be some legal action this week challenging the laws the governor signed that micromanage COVID mitigation by schools, counties and cities. There are several court challenges that could happen. Here are a few examples: K-12 Schools The state legislature prohibited school districts from requiring students to wear masks inside classrooms in the K-12 budget bill. Governor Ducey enthusiastically signed the bill preventing districts from requiring masks (despite