Thread by @LizSzabo

An advisory committee to the CDC is meeting as we speak. You can watch here: #acip ustream.tv/channel/VWBXKB…

@InfectiousPS said she's gotten 80% of her staff vaccinated, with 10% waiting to see how others do. Dr. Tom Shimabakuru is speaking now about safety monitoring. Here's his presentation. #acip
cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/…

Who serves on the CDC vaccine advisory group? Here's the list: #ACIP cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/…

The @cdcgov tracks vaccine safety in multiple ways. You can voluntarily sign up to check in with @CDCgov with a mobile app called V-Safe. Here's how it works. #ACIP

3.8 million Americans who've been vaccinated have signed up for voluntary safety monitoring, including 30,000 pregnant women. Here are the numbers. #ACIP

LIVE: Most vaccine reactions (fatigue, headache, chills) occur after second dose. #acip

LIVE: Dr. Heather Scobie is presenting information on viral variants. Here are three of the top variants of concern. #ACIP

These mutations are concerning. #acip

LIVE from @cdcgov: The so-called UK variant has been detected more than 2400 times in 46 states. This may predominate by late March, although high vaccine coverage could blunt its spread. #acip

Multiple variants have the same mutations. Example of convergent evolution. #acip

LIVE FROM @CDCGOV: Mutations in E484K did have large effects on vaccine efficacy. #ACIP A single E484K mutation causes most of the drop in vaccine efficacy in South African strain.

Postponing second mRNA vaccine may leave some people less protected against variants, according to CDC. #ACIP

LIVE FROM CDC: Good chart summarizing preliminary vaccine efficacy data against variants. #ACIP

The bad news is that the B.1.1.7 variant is growing exponentially. The good news is that vaccines are still effective against it, at least right now. #ACIP

CDC is sequencing 3000 specimens a month but is gearing up to 6000/month. #ACIP

#ACIP

Here's Dr. Heather Scobie's presentation on variants. #ACIP
cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/…

LIVE FROM CDC: Doctors seeing long covid infections in immune-suppresed patients, some worry that these patients could be a reservoir for viral variants. Should they be prioritized for vaccines? #ACIP

LIVE FROM #ACIP: Advisory committee members cite the growth of variants as reason not to delay second covid vaccine dose.

CDC advisory committee hears that the B.1.1.7 variant isn't necessarily affecting kids differently. #ACIP

Some on CDC advisory committee worry about next winter. We've had essentially no respiratory viruses among kids this year. Will flu season be doubly big next year, w. 2x as many kids getting flu for 1st time? And seasonal coronaviruses for 1st time? #ACIP

From @ArielCohen37
Delaying the 2nd vaccine dose could mean less protection against variants.
There was minimal/ no neutralization of the B.1.351 variant after 1 dose, but there was improved neutralization after the 2nd dose for both the B.1.351 and the B.1.1.7 variants. #ACIP

CDC: Both the B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 variants are about 50% more transmissible. #ACIP

The reduction in vaccine efficacy here is frightening. #ACIP
– Most B.1.351 studies: 3−11-fold reduction, ranged up to 97-fold
– Most B.1.1.7 studies: <3-fold reduction, ranged up to 9-fold
cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/…

The @cdcgov's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is live now, talking about viral variants. ustream.tv/channel/VWBXKB… #ACIP Watch here.

Some people argue we should give everyone one dose, even if that delays 2nd dose. This slide argues against that, showing that a single dose of mRNA vaccine has "minimal/no neutralization of B.1.351" variant. Two doses are better at neutralizing variants. #ACIP

@CDCgov's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has met four of the past six days. These are committed people. #ACIP

Read this thread for other highlights from meeting. Also see @jenkatesdc @HelenBranswell @DonnaYoungDC @SarahKarlin

End of meeting.