COVID updates:
COVID-19 vaccine, booster shots might be available in a week to all fully vaccinated Americans, expert analysis by worldwide scientists – including those from the World Health Organization and the US Food and Drug Administration – suggests we may not need them.
Vaccines remain very effective against severe disease, including the delta form and other key variations, according to a review published in The Lancet on Monday.
Dr. Ana-Maria Henao-Restrepo, WHO’s the medical officer for vaccine research, said, “Currently current studies do not show reliable evidence of substantially decreased protection against severe disease, which is the fundamental purpose of immunisation.”
Last week, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged that wealthier countries with substantial vaccination stocks should stop giving booster shots until the end of the year and make the doses available to poorer countries.
President Joe Biden first stated that a third injection booster shots would be available beginning Sept. 20 for adults with healthy immune systems, but he later backtracked due to concerns that the announcement was made before of FDA and CDC advisory committee recommendations.
Two main scientific advisory panels will meet in the coming days to decide who will be eligible and when.
Florida governor threatens fines for vaccine rules
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has threatened local governments with $5,000 fines if they require their employees to get vaccinated against the coronavirus, which has spread throughout the state’s hospitals.
Local governments might face millions of dollars in fines if they order their staff to acquire the COVID-19 vaccine, DeSantis stated on Monday.
Officials in Gainesville and Orange County said the vaccination requirements will still be implemented. This summer, Florida has been a national hub for the virus, with COVID-19 deaths accounting for more than 20% of all virus-related deaths in the United States last week.
COVID kills anti-vaccine campaigner Veronica Wolski.
Lawyer Lin Wood revealed Monday that Veronica Wolski, 64, an outspoken opponent of COVID vaccines and masks, died.
Wood had recently sponsored a campaign to persuade a Chicago hospital to administer ivermectin to Wolski. According to the Food and Antibiotic Administration, the drug, which is largely used on horses and cattle to treat parasitic worms, skin problems, and head lice, is occasionally prescribed for humans. Ivermectin has not been approved by the FDA for use in people or animals to prevent or treat COVID-19.
Anti-vaccine activist Veronica Wolski passes away from COVID.
Lawyer Lin Wood reported Monday that Veronica Wolski, 64, an outspoken opponent of COVID vaccines and masks, had died.
Wood had recently sponsored a campaign for a Chicago hospital to administer ivermectin to Wolski. According to the Food and Antibiotic Administration, the drug, which is mostly used on horses and cattle to treat parasitic worms, skin problems, and head lice, is sometimes prescribed for humans. Ivermectin hasn’t been approved by the FDA for use in people or animals to prevent or treat COVID-19.
Booster shots injections are due in a week, but who will receive them?
COVID-19 vaccine booster shots could be provided to all fully immunised Americans in as little as a week. However, two important scientific advisory panels will meet days before the Biden administration’s Sept. 20 start date to determine who will be eligible and when.
Dr. Tammy Lundstrom, chief medical officer at Michigan-based Trinity Health, which manages 92 hospitals and 120 continuing care facilities in 22 states, says this leaves little time for healthcare management to react.
