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1/ While two-dose vaccine series have been shown to remain exceptionally protective against #covid19 disease, especially in younger age cohorts — we know that vaccine effectiveness against #SARSCoV2 infection has decreased.
Booster doses can help reduce onward transmission.
1/ While two-dose vaccine series have been shown to remain exceptionally protective against #covid19 disease, especially in younger age cohorts — we know that vaccine effectiveness against #SARSCoV2 infection has decreased.
Booster doses can help reduce onward transmission.
2/ As I think about this more, this is especially important for the many immunocompromised patients that we are treating as healthcare providers.
These are patients in whom vaccines don’t work quite as well to induce an immune response.
These are patients in whom vaccines don’t work quite as well to induce an immune response.
3/ Similarly, reducing transmission to children is an important goal, even if it deserves examination of many trade-offs.
The best way as of now to protect kids is to minimize risk of transmission from adults. Vaccines are one part of that equation.
The best way as of now to protect kids is to minimize risk of transmission from adults. Vaccines are one part of that equation.
4/ In addition, many remain unvaccinated. The best way to protect them is to vaccinate them— but the second best is to ensure that those around them are vaccinated.
These “unvaccinated people” are still loved ones like mothers/fathers- protecting them is still important.
These “unvaccinated people” are still loved ones like mothers/fathers- protecting them is still important.
5/ Reducing overall infections in the community is important also because we are still trying to understand the longer term risks of getting mild or asymptomatic infections.
This last point I think is harder to defend largely bc CoV2 will not be eradicated and..
This last point I think is harder to defend largely bc CoV2 will not be eradicated and..
6/ everyone will likely have exposure at some point— this is the reality of a virus that transmits this well.
But — we can still continue to prevent severe disease.
And there are many new therapeutics & prophylactics on the way.
Buying time is still important.
But — we can still continue to prevent severe disease.
And there are many new therapeutics & prophylactics on the way.
Buying time is still important.
7/ While not the focus of this thread, I can’t talk about boosters without talking about vaccine inequity.
I really do think it is a zero sum game more than many are acknowledging.
Saying that doses will never reach other countries is becoming a lazy argument…
I really do think it is a zero sum game more than many are acknowledging.
Saying that doses will never reach other countries is becoming a lazy argument…
8/ Especially when it isn’t coupled with any possible solutions as to how we can change that situation moving forward. I fear that the reason these solutions aren’t being considered is bc of complacency that we can keep boosting/ protecting ourselves here in the US indefinitely.
9/ I want to acknowledge that boosters will play an important role in reducing community transmission.
They are not the only way to do this.
& they also present a $$ opportunity for pharma that may disincentivize trying to get first 💉💉 to other places instead for less profit.
They are not the only way to do this.
& they also present a $$ opportunity for pharma that may disincentivize trying to get first 💉💉 to other places instead for less profit.
10/ More organized thoughts on these many moving parts coming out soon.
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