All articles tagged with #covid booster
Anne Goyette, a leukemia patient in Georgia, faced delays and confusion in obtaining a COVID-19 booster amid policy changes under HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., highlighting broader chaos and uncertainty in vaccine policy and administration in the state and across the U.S.
Moderna exceeded Wall Street sales expectations in Q2 driven by strong COVID booster demand and cost reductions, but lowered its 2025 sales forecast due to delayed UK revenue, and announced significant cost-cutting measures including workforce reductions.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. canceled a $766 million government contract with Moderna for bird flu vaccine development, citing safety concerns about mRNA technology, despite scientific consensus on its safety and efficacy. He also announced a controversial shift in COVID booster recommendations, reducing guidance for healthy children and pregnant women, which has caused confusion and criticism from health experts and organizations. These actions may undermine public trust in vaccines and could impact future pandemic preparedness.
Medical experts confirm that it is safe and convenient to receive both the COVID booster and flu vaccine at the same time, with no significant difference in effectiveness or side effects compared to receiving them separately. Getting both shots in the same arm is also acceptable. Minor side effects such as a sore arm or body aches may occur but should only last a few days. It is important to stay updated with vaccinations, as receiving them together increases the likelihood of people completing their full slate of vaccinations. Additionally, it is not too late to get vaccinated for the flu or COVID, as there is still time to benefit from the protection provided by the vaccines.
A recent poll asks if people have received a COVID booster and flu shot this year, as medical experts recommend getting vaccinated for both.
Arm pain after receiving vaccines is a common side effect caused by the vaccine entering the arm and triggering an immune response, resulting in temporary inflammation. Moving the arm can help with blood flow, but strenuous activities should be avoided. Over-the-counter pain relievers and cold compresses can also alleviate the pain and swelling. Some people may experience flu-like symptoms after getting vaccines, and there is no scientific explanation for why some individuals have more severe side effects than others. If symptoms persist for longer than a day or so, medical attention should be sought.
The reason some people feel sick after receiving the flu shot or a COVID booster is likely due to the immune response triggered by the vaccine. Vaccines simulate an infection, causing the immune system to respond and produce antibodies to fight off the simulated infection. Feeling unwell after vaccination is a sign that the immune system is working to prevent severe illness. Common side effects include soreness, redness, swelling at the injection site, as well as flu-like symptoms such as headache, fever, muscle aches, fatigue, and nausea. These symptoms typically last for a few days. Lack of symptoms does not mean the vaccine is not working, as research has shown that individuals with more symptoms tend to have a stronger antibody response. It is important to seek medical attention if symptoms persist for longer than a day or if there are signs of a true infection.
CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky addressed the challenges of vaccination distribution during a visit to Boston. She emphasized the importance of using available tools to protect against COVID-19 and the flu, urging everyone 6 months and older to receive the flu vaccine and the COVID booster. Some experts have questioned the CDC's recommendation for universal COVID shots, but Walensky defended it, citing the high risk factors and severe illness seen in the US population. This year, the private sector is in charge of vaccine distribution, leading to supply shortages and access issues. While private pharmacies have been prioritized, concerns have been raised about their accessibility to underprivileged communities. However, efforts are being made to ensure free access to vaccines in health centers and providers' offices. Walensky acknowledged the challenges and technology hiccups but encouraged people to make appointments and get vaccinated. Nursing homes and facilities serving the elderly are still struggling to vaccinate residents. Education and awareness campaigns are being conducted to promote vaccination and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
President Joe Biden has received a COVID booster vaccination, a flu shot, and a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination, urging all Americans to follow his example and ensure they are fully vaccinated. This comes as COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths are on the rise, with some schools, hospitals, and businesses struggling to contain the spread of illness. However, there is growing skepticism among some Americans towards vaccinations, fueled by figures like Robert Kennedy Jr. and Ron DeSantis, who have expressed concerns about the safety and effectiveness of booster shots.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not provided specific guidelines on whether long COVID patients should receive the new COVID boosters, flu shots, or RSV vaccines. However, some experts and healthcare organizations recommend that individuals with long COVID should consider getting the COVID booster and flu shot, and discuss the pros and cons of the RSV vaccine with their doctors. Vaccination has been shown to lower the risk and severity of long COVID symptoms. Primary care doctors are being educated on how to recognize and treat long COVID, and they generally recommend that patients with chronic COVID symptoms receive all eligible preventative vaccinations.
Moderna announced that its latest Covid booster is effective against the BA.2.86 omicron subvariant, which has raised concerns due to its high number of mutations. The booster generated a strong antibody response against BA.2.86, according to Moderna. Although the variant has not yet become widespread in the United States, it has alarmed experts and health officials. The data provided by Moderna has not been reviewed by outside scientists, but the company is the first to release data on the effectiveness of its booster against the new variant. The current surge in Covid cases and hospitalizations in the U.S. is primarily driven by infections with XBB lineage viruses, not the BA.2.86 variant, according to the CDC. Moderna's updated booster, along with boosters from Pfizer-BioNTech and Novavax, is expected to be authorized by the FDA soon and is designed to target the XBB.1.5 omicron subvariant.
Medical experts are urging people to get their flu shot and COVID booster ahead of the fall season, as the combination of both vaccines can help protect against respiratory illnesses. With the flu season approaching and the ongoing threat of COVID-19, health professionals emphasize the importance of vaccination to reduce the risk of severe illness and hospitalization.
The CDC has approved a second dose of the updated Covid boosters for older adults and people with weakened immune systems, following the FDA's authorization. The updated boosters target the BA.4 and BA.5 omicron subvariants, in addition to the original strain of the coronavirus. The CDC also recommended using the bivalent formula in all Covid vaccines moving forward and doing away with the multidose primary series for people who haven’t yet been vaccinated. The booster shots were found to reduce the risk of Covid infection from the XBB.1.5 subvariant by nearly half and reduce the risk of hospitalization in people 65 and older by 72%.
The FDA has authorized a second dose of the updated Covid booster for older adults and people with weakened immune systems. The agency also authorized using the bivalent formula in all Covid vaccines moving forward and is doing away with the multi-dose primary series for people who have not yet been vaccinated. The CDC will review the decision and if approved, immunizations could begin immediately. The booster shots were reformulated last August to target the BA.4 and BA.5 omicron subvariants, in addition to the original strain of the virus.