Why won’t Florida, CDC release state’s breakthrough COVID data? For more than two months, the Tampa Bay Times and other news organizations have been asking Florida for data that breaks down how many vaccinated people have been infected, hospitalized or died of COVID-19. They are called “breakthrough” cases, data that would show how effectively the vaccine has protected Floridians — and how vulnerable the unvaccinated are. But the Florida Department of Health has continually refused those requests, citing what public health and legal experts say are misplaced privacy concerns. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also refuses to release that data, deferring to the state on whether to share it publicly.
UK agency: Pfizer booster’s ability to prevent symptomatic COVID wanes within weeks Data shows 3rd shot 70% effective in preventing illness after 2 weeks but only 45% after 10 weeks; Moderna seems to offer more durable protection, staying at 70% after 10 weeks _______ Uh Oh.
Israel delays rollout of 4th COVID shots amid signs Omicron less severe – report https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveb...-shots-amid-signs-omicron-less-severe-report/
Israeli heart surgeon is world’s 1st healthy person to get 4th COVID shot, in trial ‘I did this with a full, full heart,’ says Prof. Jacob Lavee of Sheba hospital, which is conducting a landmark study to establish necessity of a fourth dose to combat the virus https://www.timesofisrael.com/israe...-1st-healthy-person-to-get-4th-dose-in-trial/ Professor Jacob Lavee receives a fourth dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, at Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, Israel, Monday, Dec. 27, 2021. (AP/Tsafrir Abayov) An Israeli heart surgeon apparently became the first healthy person in the world to receive a medically sanctioned fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose on Monday, as Sheba Medical Center launched a landmark study to test the efficacy of the additional shot. “I did this with a full, full heart for two reasons — first, to protect myself,” Prof. Jacob (Jay) Lavee told Israeli media. “And no less important, my desire to avoid transmitting the disease to our patients.” Lavee was the first of some 150 health workers at the hospital outside Tel Aviv participating in the study to get the vaccine. “I am definitely the first in Israel,” he said but noted that some immuno-compromised people had already received a fourth shot in some countries and conceded it was possible that others have illegally obtained additional vaccines. The health workers who received the fourth dose had also been among the first people to receive the third dose, and had a lower level of antibodies than their coworkers. They will receive the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, which is the inoculation used in Israel. Lavee stressed the importance of medical workers forging the path. “I think there is a great importance that our medical team not be a vector for the disease and therefore the fourth booster is important,” said Lavee, who heads the heart transplant unit. “Do not fear the vaccine. It’s effective, it’s for the benefit of our future. Go get vaccinated.” Lavee said he did not experience any immediate side effects after the shot, and reiterated that studies conducted around the world, in Israel, and at Sheba had repeatedly shown that the vaccines were safe. Sheba’s Prof. Gili Regev-Yochay, a lead researcher in the experiment, said the start of the process was “an exciting moment.” “This study will test the effect of the fourth vaccine dose on the level of antibodies, on preventing contagion, and check its safety,” Regev-Yochay said. “This study is expected to shed light on the additional benefit of giving a fourth dose, and lead us to understand whether and to whom it is worth giving a fourth dose,” she added. “There are many questions so it’s important to conduct this in a serious manner,” she said. “It could be that we’ve reached a maximum and a fourth shot will not give much. That’s what we’re checking. In a few more days we’ll know if it’s safe and effective.” (More at above url)
Article on post vaccine availability demographics. Vaccines definitely helped blunt poor outcomes for older people and people of color, while younger people and white people increased as percentages of poor outcomes due to lack of vaccination. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/12/28/us/covid-deaths.html?smtyp=cur&smid=tw-nytimes
There are multiple efforts around the world underway working on a permanent, universal coronavirus vaccine. IMO they should coordinate their funding and research to drive faster results. Japan Is Working on a COVID-19 Vaccine That Offers Lifelong Immunity https://interestingengineering.com/...ovid-19-vaccine-that-offers-lifelong-immunity
Righties mentality..... Fox News host says more Americans will get vaccinated if they are told not to Fox News host Julie Banderas argued on Thursday that vaccine mandates don't work in the United States because Americans are like 5-year-old children who do the opposite of what they are told. Banderas explained her theory during an interview with a former Trump official. "I'm all for vaccinations -- got all three shots myself -- but I think the problem is when you tell somebody they have to do it, they purposely don't want to do it. I think more and more Americans are actually are more turned off by the vaccine simply like you would a child. When I tell my 5-year-old not to do something, he does it," Banderas said. "So maybe it's best not to tell the American people what to do and maybe they'll do the right thing!" she exclaimed. "I don't know. That's just the mom of three talking."
Sinovac COVID-19 Shot with Pfizer Booster Less Effective against Omicron, Finds Study https://english.aawsat.com/home/art...er-less-effective-against-omicron-finds-study