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In This Episode:
This video update includes my thoughts on the Delta variant and the latest CDC announcement regarding guidance for fully vaccinated adults, what to know about “breakthrough” COVID cases in nursing homes and elsewhere, recent studies on the efficacy of vaccines in older adults (and why some touted study results may not apply to older adults), who might not be well protected by the vaccine, and more.
(View the show notes page to watch my subtitled talk and my slides.)
This episode covers:
- A recap of the current COVID & vaccine situation
- What to know about Delta & the latest CDC mask update
- “Breakthrough” COVID cases
- Updates on COVID safety & efficacy in older adults and the immunocompromised
- Whether boosters will be needed and whether to get one if available
- My latest recommendations for older adults & families
Note: Since I recorded my update, the Washington Post has reported on the CDC’s internal presentation covering why they are so concerned about the Delta variant. The data presented is interesting and can be found here.
Related Resources:
- BHWA:
- CDC:
- CDC COVID Data Tracker (to check your local transmission rates)
- Internal CDC presentation on Delta variant and breakthrough infections (July 29, 2021)
- CDC: When You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated
- Nursing Home Covid-19 Data Dashboard
- CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (meeting slides on vaccine safety and efficacy topics are usually very informative; browse for the latest ones here)
- COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness studies (May 12, 2021; includes some nursing home studies)
- From medical journals:
- From news and other media:
- The war has changed’: Internal CDC document urges new messaging, warns delta infections likely more severe (July 30, 2021)
- CDC reversal on indoor masking prompts experts to ask, ‘Where’s the data?’ (July 2021)
- Israeli Data Suggests Possible Waning in Effectiveness of Pfizer Vaccine (July 2021)
- Biden Officials Now Expect Vulnerable Americans to Need Booster Shots (July 2021)
- Citing New Data, Pfizer Outlines Case for Booster Shots (July 2021)
- NY Times: COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker
- NY Times: Coronavirus Variant Tracker
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Diana B says
Thank you Dr. Kernisan for the excellent COVID update and overview. One more link for reference materials is the CDC July 30, 2021 Morbity and Mortality Report, Outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 Infections, Including COVID-19 Vaccine Breakthrough Infections, Associated with Large Public Gatherings —Barnstable County, Massachusetts, July 2021 which reports on the concerning number of symptomatic breakthrough infections in fully vaccinated adults. See https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/pdfs/mm7031e2-H.pdf
From the report:
“In July 2021, following multiple large public events in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, town, 469 COVID-19 cases were identified among Massachusetts residents who had traveled to the town during July 3–17; 346 (74%) occurred in fully vaccinated persons. Testing identified the Delta variant in 90% of specimens from 133 patients.”
“Jurisdictions might consider expanded prevention strategies, including universal masking in indoor public settings, particularly for large public gatherings that include travelers from many areas with differing levels of SARS-CoV-2 transmission.”
Nicole Didyk, MD says
Thanks for sharing those details.
We are likely going to see more infection even in vaccinated folks, due to the Delta variant’s characteristics. But the vaccine really does seem to reduce the risk of severe illness and hospitalization, which is what we are all hoping to avoid.