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Dr. K discusses the high COVID levels, the related risks for aging adults, what to know about Omicron BA.5, the data on boosters, and the most effective ways to take sensible precautions.
She covers:
- The current COVID situation and how high cases really are
- What to know about COVID hospitalization numbers
- Whether COVID vaccines are still working
- The data on first and second boosters
- How the new Novavax COVID vaccine works
- How to test for COVID
- How long to isolate if you get COVID
- What to know about Paxlovid and relapsing after Paxlovid
- What masks she recommends
- How to take reasonable precautions
Note: you can get the CO2 monitor Dr. K refers to on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/3yhDtq8. The masks that Dr. K is currently using include 3M V-flex N95, and 3M Aura N95. These are affiliate links, so any purchases will help support Better Health While Aging, at no extra cost to you.
Related Episodes:
128 – COVID Update for Aging Adults (5.5.22 Edition)
Related Resources:
- BHWA:
- To track COVID data:
- FDA:
- For masking, ventilation COVID transmission information:
- Masks Dr. K uses:
- Project N95
- Twitter resources
- CDC Interactive ventilation tool
- The Corsi-Rosenthal Box: DIY Box Fan Air Filter for COVID-19 and Wildfire Smoke
- From medical journals and research groups:
- Effectiveness of a second BNT162b2 booster vaccine against hospitalization and death from COVID-19 in adults aged over 60 years (Nature, April 2022)
- Effectiveness of 2, 3, and 4 COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine Doses Among Immunocompetent Adults During Periods when SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1 and BA.2/BA.2.12.1 Sublineages Predominated — VISION Network, 10 States, December 2021–June 2022 (CDC, 7/15/22)
- Hospitalization and Emergency Department Encounters for COVID-19 After Paxlovid Treatment — California, December 2021–May 2022 (CDC 6/21/22)
- Self-reported long COVID after infection with the Omicron variant in the UK (UK ONS 7/18/22)
- SARS-CoV-2 transmission on planes, by “Your Local Epidemiologist” Katelyn Jetelina, PhD
- UK Health Security Agency COVID-19 vaccine weekly surveillance reports
- COVID-19 Rebound After Paxlovid Treatment (CDC 5/24/22)
- Newest Omicron subvariants can evade boosters, antibody therapies (UMN CIDRAP, 7/6/22)
- covers bebtelovimab, the only monoclonal antibody treatment still effective against BA.5
- From news and other media:
- What you need to know about the Novavax vaccine (Johns Hopkins Univ, 6/16/22)
- New COVID Vaccine for Fall? What to Know About the FDA’s Plans (CNET 7/15/22)
- FDA says COVID boosters for the fall must target newer omicron types (NPR 6/30/22)
- Twitter sources that helped with this update:
- Dr. Eric Topol (good for all kinds of COVID data and info)
- Graphic for PCR and rapid tests here
- Dr. Eric Topol (good for all kinds of COVID data and info)
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Bree says
Hi Dr. Kernisan. Great to have Covid, vaccination etc. information by age group! Do you have information on how long the memory T cells for Covid immunity last after 3 doses. I’ve just watched on YouTube a presentation by Dr. Shane Crotty “Adaptive Immunity and Immune Memory” which if I understood points to research showing immune memory for Covid protection was the same after 6 months for natural immunity as for vaccinated older adults (in terms of t cell memory (presented about halfway through presentation). He added that that memory should last into the future but didn’t say how long. I am female, 74 years old with 3 doses (2 Pfizer, 1 Moderna) as of mid-March 2022. I’m trying to weigh up whether to get a 4th bivalent dose or not which I am reluctant to do due to absence of research on long term effects of mRNA vaccines. I am healthy with no co-morbidity except mild asthma. My doctor says that my body is younger than my age. I live in Newcastle NSW Australia which has fairly high Covid cases but we are heading into summer (being in the southern hemisphere). I am supposed to go for cataract surgery and dental filling. My unvaccinated husband is 82, fit and healthy other than well managed cardiovascular disease and also venous insufficiency in legs. He walks down an 80 metre trail every day weather permitting.
Nicole Didyk, MD says
I’m glad to hear that you and your husband have healthy habits and are seeking out information about how to stay well in these COVID times.
I haven’t watched the video you mention, but I have read some scientific articles looking at this topic, such as this one: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41392-022-00937-9. This article looked at T cell immunity in non-primates and found that a fourth vaccine dose didn’t seem to confer any additional protection.
Other sources indicate that T cell immunity lasts 6 to 9 months after a 3rd dose: https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/moderna-covid-19-vaccine-generates-long-lasting-immune-memory
It’s your decision about whether or not to get an additional booster, based on your view of the balance of risks and benefits. For older adults at higher risk of getting severely ill with COVID (such as living with frailty or in a long-term care home), I would recommend having a booster as soon as it’s available.