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State of the Science

Written by Private

Medical

10 Oct 2022

COVID, Monkeypox, Polio

We Know…

The BA.5 Omicron subvariant is still dominant in the US.
Several other variants are being monitored closely including BA.2.75.2, BA.4.6, and BQ.1.1.
The Pfizer and Moderna bivalent booster vaccines (comprised of the original virus and Omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5) are currently available for those who received their last vaccination two months ago or more. If you were recently infected, you may wait three months before receiving the bivalent booster.
COVID infections are rising in the UK. We are monitoring numbers closely in the US as we typically have followed their curves within a month’s time.

We Kinda Know… but requires more research

We may see an uptick of both COVID and influenza this winter, resulting in the “twindemic” anticipated in prior winters.
We are eagerly anticipating data re: nasal spray coronavirus vaccines (an approximate 100 mucosal vaccines are in development globally). These may provide broader and more durable immunity over time.

We continue to monitor monkeypox and polio. Monkeypox cases have continued to drop in the last few weeks though it’s unlikely that the disease will be entirely eliminated in the US. For those at high risk of infection, vaccination is suggested. We now understand that unvaccinated people in high-risk settings are 14 times more likely to develop infection than those vaccinated. Vaccination efforts persist for polio, as well. This is key to preventing additional cases in the US.

NOTE: If you haven’t gotten your flu vaccine, they’re available and recommended.