With COVID transmission data removed from the CDC website after the end of the public health emergency, wastewater is now our best indicator for surges.
And wastewater data shows that all of NYC has high COVID levels.
Note that NYC switched to a more sensitive COVID wastewater detection method in March. But per Dr. David Larsen who runs the dashboard, this isn't responsible for the increase. So likely uptick is due to real world COVID spread.
Note that New York State COVID wastewater levels are graded high, moderate, and low. These levels correlate to similar ones on the CDC's old transmission map tracking COVID tests. Intent is to make NYS wastewater data easier to interpret to the public & to make policy decisions.
It isn't surprising that we are seeing an uptick of COVID cases at the start of summer of 2023. We've seen a similar pattern ever since Omicron appeared, where there's been a high level of COVID spread throughout the whole year apart from a couple of months in spring.
Previous CDC guidance directed hospitals to institute mask mandates when COVID transmission is high. They removed this when the PHE ended, citing lack of testing data as an excuse.
But wastewater data shows COVID levels are high. NYC hospitals should #KeepMasksInHealthcare!
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COVID vaccine update: Pharmacies in some states won't give you a shot unless you have a prescription.
CVS: CO, FL, GA, KY, LA , ME, NY, NC, PA, UT, VA, WV, DC
Walgreens: AZ, CO, GA, IN, LA, MO, MT, NM, NY, OR, SC, UT, VA, WA, WV, WI
CVS is not yet offering shots in MA, NV, MN
The issue is that the CDC's immunization committee has not yet recommended the shots. Though the FDA label includes a broad list of conditions that will allow you to self-attest, pharmacies are worried that the CDC could restrict this further, so are waiting to see what happens.
Waiting on the CDC's immunization committee to finally recommend the updated COVID vaccines is a huge problem because the CDC is in CHAOS right now. They just fired the CDC leader, top scientists have resigned, and the immunization committee has been replaced by antivaxxers.
It's official: Updated COVID vaccines have been approved by the FDA, but with restrictions.
Moderna: 6 months+ if high risk
Pfizer: 5 years+ if high risk
Novavax: 12 years+ if high risk
Anyone 65 years+ is eligible for updated COVID vaccines regardless of risk status.
Common conditions that make you more likely to get very sick from COVID-19, per CDC:
Cancer
Chronic diseases
Diabetes
Heart conditions
Weakened immune system
Mental health conditions
Overweight and obesity
Physical inactivity
Pregnancy
Smoking
Substance use disorders
Transplant
Here's the CDC's full list of of underlying medical conditions that increase a person's risk of severe COVID-19:
From @dr_kkjetelina: “If you’re under 65 and not high risk, the window to get a Covid-19 vaccine is right now—before the FDA label changes (possibly this Friday). Once it happens, access will be limited immediately.”
Note: COVID hasn’t changed that much recently, so while they will be updating the vaccine in fall to match the latest variants, the current “old” vaccine should still provide good protection (and better than no vaccine if access is restricted).
It’s honestly ridiculous and horrific that we all need to make these complicated calculations to figure out when to get our next COVID vaccine.
COVID vaccines should be accessible to anyone who wants them every year (like flu vaccines) and all year round.
NEW: After firing expert scientists on the CDC's vaccine advisory committee, RFK Jr. has named their replacements.
The new committee contains many figures known for spreading disinformation about vaccines and COVID including Robert Malone and Martin Kulldorff.
This is bad.
Robert Malone has suggested COVID-19 vaccines cause a form of AIDS, and runs a wellness institute where he profits from promoting unproven treatments for measles and COVID-19.
Martin Kulldorff was a lead author of the Great Barrington declaration which promoted mass infection with COVID and opposed infectious disease prevention measures including masks and vaccines for children.
Under new leadership — who spread misinformation throughout the pandemic — the FDA announced it will limit Covid vaccines to adults over 65 & those with certain medical conditions.
Covid continues to spread & cause harm. This an anti-science move that will kill more Americans.
The data tells us that everyone can benefit from getting updated Covid vaccines.
Covid vaccines reduce the risk of becoming sick, developing Long Covid, and becoming hospitalized, for everyone.
It's important to note that most people have a condition that increases the risk of becoming severely ill with Covid-19.
These include: asthma, diabetes, heart conditions, mental health conditions, obesity, physical inactivity, smoking, and pregnancy.
Good news: The FDA finally approved the Novavax Covid-19 vaccine.
Bad news: There are new restrictions that will create lots of problems for people who want to get the Novavax Covid-19 vaccine.
The new stricter criteria limits Novavax to people:
1. aged 65 and over 2. aged 12 and up who have at least one underlying condition that puts them at higher risk of severe illness
This goes against the science that indicates that everyone can benefit from Covid-19 vaccination.
Note: CDC lists many conditions that may make someone likelier to become severely ill with Covid-19, including older age, asthma, diabetes, lung disease, obesity and pregnancy.
By definition, most people are higher risk and should have access to Novavax. cdc.gov/covid/hcp/clin…