COVID-19 vaccines have saved an unknown number of lives but will it be necessary for us to boosters every few months? What about a new formula or a new shot entirely? This is the next debate on COVID-19 vaccines.
are saving an untold number of lives, but they can't stop the chaos when a hugely contagious new mutant bursts on the scene, leading people to wonder: Will we need boosters every few months? A new vaccine recipe? A new type of shot altogether?
. Already a sub-strain of omicron bearing its own unique mutations is circulating. Research is underway to create next-generation vaccines that might offer broader protection against future mutants -- but they won't be ready anytime soon. Thankfully, different immune system soldiers called T cells are key to prevent an infection from turning into severe illness -- and that protection is lasting longer because T cells are recognizing other parts of the virus that don't mutate as easily.After a booster, protection against symptomatic disease from omicron is about 70% -- not as good as the 94% protection seen with earlier variants that more closely matched the vaccine yet highly effective.
The debate is whether repeated boosting really is the best approach -- especially since scary new variants are less likely to form once more of the world's population gets initial vaccinations. It's a tantalizing idea, but NIH infectious diseases chief Dr. Anthony Fauci called it a years-long endeavor. "I don't want anyone to think that pan-coronavirus vaccines are literally around the corner," he said.
Brasil Últimas Notícias, Brasil Manchetes
Similar News:Você também pode ler notícias semelhantes a esta que coletamos de outras fontes de notícias.
Pfizer asks FDA to allow COVID-19 vaccine for kids under 5Pfizer on Tuesday asked the U.S. to authorize extra-low doses of its COVID-19 vaccine for children under 5, potentially opening the way for the very youngest Americans to start receiving shots as early as March.
Consulte Mais informação »
When can children younger than 5 get vaccinated against Covid-19?Children younger than 5 in the United States could begin receiving Covid-19 vaccinations this month or next if the US Food and Drug Administration moves quickly to authorize the shot for this age group.
Consulte Mais informação »
COVID-19 live updates: Santa Clara Co. approves extra vaccine dose for immunocompromisedTransplant recipients, cancer patients and people with immunodeficiencies can now receive a third dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine in Santa Clara County.
Consulte Mais informação »
Pfizer asks FDA to allow COVID-19 vaccine for kids under 5The move could open the way for the very youngest in the country to start receiving shots as early as March.
Consulte Mais informação »
Denmark becomes first EU country to lift all Covid-19 restrictionsDenmark has lifted all Covid-19 restrictions within the country, with coronavirus no longer considered a 'socially critical sickness,' according to the government.
Consulte Mais informação »
The COVID-19 Metrics Policymakers Should Be Watching After OmicronThe COVID-19 pandemic has brought up tons of data questions — what information should we be collecting, what can it tell us (and what does it fail to tell us) …
Consulte Mais informação »