Let’s discuss the leaked slides out of the CDC. There is a lot of misinformation circulating, and I would like to clear that up. If you haven’t already, please read my previous thread on the lack of clarity out of the CDC regarding their assertion that vaccinated individuals can
transmit Delta variant due to similar viral loads as unvaccinated individuals because you’re going to want that context. Trust me.
So what are the main points? Delta variant is an issue (we know this) and yes it is contagious. It is more transmissible than other variants
(again, we knew this too). Vaccines prevent a VAST majority of infections, transmission, and NEARLY all hospitalizations, deaths, so yes, if you have not been vaccinated yet, please consider doing so. You can see why here. Next, let’s discuss vaccine efficacy, which is actually
very encouraging because what we see here falls in line with data out of other countries. We are currently looking at ~88% effective against symptomatic infection and ~90-95% effective against severe disease in regards to Delta, which is fantastic. This is what we like to hear.
But Chise, what about post-vaccination infections? Can vaccinated individuals with a post-vaccination infection transmit? Well, yes. We knew this. I have discussed this many times before. If you have a symptomatic post-vaccination infection, you can transmit. At that point, after
vaccination, it becomes like any other virus. If you are experiencing symptoms, isolate until your infection clears. You do when you have the flu, right? Same applies here. Now, let’s get on to the point I take a HUGE issue with this briefing. Viral loads.
To answer your burning question of: “Did the CDC partially base their assertion that vaccinated individuals can transmit Delta variant due to similar viral load as unvaccinated individuals on a study out of India that not only utilized models but accounted for vaccines that are
not currently approved in the United States and is still currently under review and previously did not pass peer-review and didn’t even compare viral loads between unvaccinated and vaccinated individuals but rather viral loads between variants?” Yes, yes it did.
It also based decisions off smaller breakthroughs that have occurred that give us barely any information at all concerning mean Ct values between the vaccinated and unvaccinated. So why do I take issue with this? Because these are viral loads, NOT ACTUAL EVIDENCE OF TRANSMISSION.
You CANNOT make an assumption off this. Why? Because frankly I don’t care how much viral RNA is in your nose (which may I remind everyone is LIKELY virus that is NOT viable due to the vaccine) when we have actual clinical data showing just one dose of vaccine HALVES your risk of
transmitting once you're infected?! To make it sound as it vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals are transmitting as the same rate is MISLEADING. Saying vaccinated individuals are superspreaders is MISLEADING. And news outlets have taken this and ran with it to make it come off
this way without dissecting the information. From previous we know viral load is not enough to say there is comparable infectiousness (yes, this matters). Duration of viral shedding is important, and we know this is likely to be shorter in vaccinated individuals as they clear an
infection faster. In addition, vaccines prevent symptomatic illness caused by Delta and we know those who have an asymptomatic infection do indeed transmit less due to lower viral loads. To hammer this point home take this study for example. Where low Ct values (high viral loads)
Twitter only allows you to have so many tweets before it breaks the thread so I continued this in the screens below. Conclusion.
If you haven’t been vaccinated (or have no immunity) please consider doing so. I am open to discussion and any questions.
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How Vaccines Work 🧬🧫🦠🔬💉🥽
(Everyone Should Watch This)
Animation Credit: 幾加乘 @bilibili_en
Recently, I have been getting a fair amount of questions regarding updated vaccines, timing, and currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 strains so I figured a short FAQ thread would be helpful! 🧪🧵⬇️
This is HUGE news! An investigational vaccine, ELI-002, appears to be effective in delaying relapse of KRAS-mutated pancreatic AND colorectal cancer, according to Phase I study results. FURTHERMORE, T-cell response correlated with an 86% REDUCTION in risk of relapse or death.🧵⬇️
This research has been published in Nature. You can find it here:
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ELI-002, an investigational therapeutic vaccine, put to the test by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, appeared to be effective in delaying relapse of KRAS-mutated pancreatic and colorectal cancer (CRC), according to results from a Phase I
I want to address some FAQs that have found their way into my DMs as of late:
1. Yes, I’m “that furry” that helped work on the COVID-19 vaccines. I still do-amongst other vaccines!
2. No, you’re not dreaming.
3. Rude messages and/or snide comments will be ignored. Thank you!
And no, this is in no way meant to seem like gloating. Gloating isn’t good as is and never would it be in the circumstances of a devastating pandemic. I’m just tired of the “You’re a furry?” and some nasty name calling or threats. Like, yes I am. Get over it and have a good day.
And for those who have been EXTREMELY supportive through these past few years, I sincerely appreciate all the lovely comments. The countless “thank you” are not necessary but nevertheless they are appreciated.
Recently, I have been getting a fair amount of questions regarding updated vaccines, timing, and currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 strains so I figured a short FAQ thread would be helpful! 🧪🧵⬇️
So, not COVID related but, this is REALLY exciting news. Midstage trial results show Moderna’s cancer vaccine mRNA-4157 in combination with Merck’s KEYTRUDA reduced the risk of death or relapse in patients with melanoma by HALF after roughly THREE years! Let’s talk about that! 🧵
KEEP IN MIND THESE ARE RESULTS THAT HAVE HELD UP AFTER THREE YEARS showing that benefits demonstrated a year ago have held up over time. That is ASTOUNDING.
Phase 2b randomized KEYNOTE-942/mRNA-4157-P201 study, a clinical trial evaluating mRNA-4157 (V940), an investigational
individualized neoantigen therapy (INT), in combination with KEYTRUDA, Merck's anti-PD-1 therapy, in patients with resected high-risk melanoma (stage III/IV) following complete resection. In this planned analysis occurring with a median follow-up of approximately three years,
HOW COOL IS THIS?! Scientists have created tiny biological robots called “Anthrobots” that can move across a surface and have been found to encourage the growth of neurons across a region of damage in a lab dish. These may one day be able to help heal wounds or damaged tissue! 🧵
The multicellular robots, ranging in size from the width of a human hair to the point of a sharpened pencil, were made to self-assemble and shown to have a remarkable healing effect on other cells. The discovery is a starting point for the researchers’ vision to use patient-
derived biobots as new therapeutic tools for regeneration, healing, and treatment of disease.
In the current study, published in Advanced Science, Levin, along with Ph.D. student Gizem Gumuskaya, discovered that bots can be created from adult human cells without any genetic