Henderson County reported 84 additional COVID-19 cases this week – The Gleaner

Henderson County reported 84 additional COVID-19 cases this week – The Gleaner

Effects of Coronavirus on People with Asthma, Allergic Rhinitis, And Food Allergies – Physician’s Weekly

Effects of Coronavirus on People with Asthma, Allergic Rhinitis, And Food Allergies – Physician’s Weekly

July 11, 2022

For a study, researchers sought to summarise the existing research on the psychological effects of the 2019 coronavirus illness (COVID-19) on people with allergy conditions and highlight any areas that still require further study. Case studies, published guidelines from expert groups specializing in allergic diseases, mixed-method studies documenting patient and caregiver experiences, and original publications and abstracts employing online and telephone surveys were included. Risk factors for unfavorable psychological outcomes in people with asthma and other chronic respiratory illnesses include asthma severity, female sex, and a history of anxiety and depression. It was probably because of the perception of a high risk of serious illness from COVID-19. According to one study, individuals with allergic rhinitis scored significantly higher on anxiety and depression than healthy controls (P<.001). Parents and other caregivers during COVID-19 were most affected psychologically by food allergies. The psychological toll on parents of children with asthma was also significant. Patients with asthma experienced significant psychological effects from COVID-19. Little information has been published on the effects of COVID-19 on patients with allergic rhinitis and food allergies. It was crucial that doctors were aware of the potential link between mental illness and chronic allergic diseases and referred these patients, and their caregivers, to the appropriate resources while continuing to manage their allergic disease as COVID-19 research continues to advance and the literature captures later stages of the pandemic.

Source sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1081120621013107


See the article here: Effects of Coronavirus on People with Asthma, Allergic Rhinitis, And Food Allergies - Physician's Weekly
How does the belief that vaccination will end the COVID-19 pandemic relate to vaccination intent? – News-Medical.Net

How does the belief that vaccination will end the COVID-19 pandemic relate to vaccination intent? – News-Medical.Net

July 11, 2022

In a recent study published in the Emerging Infectious Diseases journal, researchers explored intent and belief in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination in the Netherlands.

The COVID-19 vaccines have played an indispensable role in curbing the infections and mortality caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, the efficacy of the vaccines is majorly dependent on the high and equal distribution of vaccine uptake in a population.

In the present study, the researchers employed mental models to explore the beliefs underlying and intentions toward COVID-19 vaccination.

The team conducted a survey between 12 March and 22 March 2021 when 1.5 million out of 17.5 million Netherlands residents were either partly or fully vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 infections. The online survey was sent to 6810 individuals aged 18 years and above. The sample chosen for the survey was deemed as representative of the general Dutch population according to demographic characteristics.

Vaccination intention was assessed as follows. All the participants who were not vaccinated despite receiving an invitation for COVID-19 vaccination were asked Do you want to get vaccinated against the coronavirus? while the respondents who reported that they did not receive an invitation for COVID-19 vaccination were questioned If you are invited for a COVID-19 vaccination, do you then want to get vaccinated? The participants were required to answer the questions on a 5-point Likert scale wherein the points indicated 1. Certainly not; 2. Probably not; 3. Dont know; 4 Probably yes; 5. Certainly yes.

The beliefs pertaining to COVID-19 and vaccination were assessed by identifying major elements present in the mental models underlying the vaccination intentions. The beliefs were analyzed with the question: We would like to know what you think about the coronavirus/vaccination against the coronavirus. For each statement, indicate to what extent it aligns with what you think. I think . This question was followed by a total of 25 statements which were scored based on the 5-point Likert scale which could be classified into seven elements of mental modes of a person: (1) beliefs related to COVID-19 risk to oneself and ones loved ones, (2) safety of COVID-19 vaccination, (3) effectiveness of vaccination, (4) social benefits related to the vaccination, (5) alternatives to vaccination, (6) social norms associated with vaccination behavior, and (7) accessibility of vaccination.

The team also assessed the extent to which the beliefs were responsible for the variation in vaccination intentions and identified the specific beliefs that determined vaccination intentions. This was achieved by performing a regression analysis using Random Forest (RF), a machine learning method that facilitated regression and classification according to an ensemble of decision trees.

A total of four types of outputs were taken into account after the RF analysis: (1) variable importance ranking (VIR) which ranked control and independent variables, (2) particle dependence which indicated the extent and the direction of association between the dependent and independent variables, (3) cumulative variance explained which represented the variance after the addition of an independent variable to the VIR, and (4) total variance explained.

The study results showed that 62.5% of the unvaccinated participants answered that they would certainly receive COVID-19 vaccination and 17.8% reported that they would probably want to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. However, 7.1% of the participants reported that they did not know yet if they would get vaccinated, 5.9% would probably not want to receive the vaccine, while 6.8% revealed that they certainly would not get vaccinated against COVID-19. The team noted that the average response with respect to vaccination intention was 4.2.

Statistical analysis showed that all 25 beliefs were substantially associated with vaccination intentions. Correlations between COVID-19 vaccination and the related beliefs regarding COVID-19 had moderate to strong associations between different risk perception beliefs related to COVID-19. Moreover, the team observed strong associations between COVID-19 vaccination and beliefs related to the safety of COVID-19 vaccination.

Furthermore, 27.7% of the participants indicated that they did not believe that the adverse effects associated with the COVID-19 vaccination were well-researched while 28.3% opined that the COVID-19 vaccines were developed too quickly. With respect to vaccine effectiveness, while the participants believed that the vaccines would effectively protect them against COVID-19, they were unsure if the vaccine would be effective only for a short duration.

Overall, the study findings showed that beliefs associated with COVID-19 explained the wide variation in COVID-19 vaccination intentions.


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How does the belief that vaccination will end the COVID-19 pandemic relate to vaccination intent? - News-Medical.Net
Inhalable COVID-19 vaccine, anyone? NC State may be on to something – CBS17.com

Inhalable COVID-19 vaccine, anyone? NC State may be on to something – CBS17.com

July 11, 2022

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) A prototype created by North Carolina State University researchers just might lead to a new method of protection against COVID-19a vaccine without the needle.

In a July 5 press release, the university said the vaccine prototype is shelf stable at room temperature for up to three months and targets the lungs specifically and effectively.

The big difference from what is currently used is how its administered.

This vaccine is designed to easily be self-administered using an inhaler.

According to researchers, the delivery mechanism for the vaccine, called LSC-Exo (a lung-derived exosome) has proven to be more effective at evading the lungs mucosal lining than what is typically used now, which are lipid-based nanoparticles.

Simply put, the leaders behind this new vaccine prototype say it would boost effectiveness while also creating a solution to the current shelf-life dilemma.

mRNA vaccines in their current formulation require cold storage and trained medical personnel to deliver them. A vaccine that is stable at room temperature and that could be self-administered would greatly reduce wait times for patients as well as stress on the medical profession during a pandemic, said Ke Cheng, the Randall B. Terry Jr. Distinguished Professor in Regenerative Medicine at NCState.

Cheng also said that taking the vaccine by way of intramuscular shot is less efficient at getting the vaccine to its intended destinationthe pulmonary system.

Inhaled vaccines would increase their benefit against COVID-19, Cheng added.

So, now the big question. Does it actually work?

Researchers say they have conducted rodent models to test the effectiveness of this prototype and what they found was promising.

In these models, N.C. State reports that the prototype did create a production of antibodies and actually did protect the rodents, after two vaccine doses, from infection when exposed to live SARS-CoV-2.

The rodent model also proved the vaccine was capable of being kept on a shelf at room temperature for the duration of three months.

An inhalable vaccine will confer both mucosal and systemic immunity, its more convenient to store and distribute, and could be self-administered on a large scale, Cheng said. So while there are still challenges associated with scaling up production, we believe that this is a promising vaccine worthy of further research and development.

Time will tell if this promising, and unique take on a COVID-19 vaccine will hit the market and become available for at-home use. In the meantime, the work continues in a collaborative effort with the National Institutes of Health and the American Heart Association.

North Carolina State University has filed a provisional patent on the technologies reported in those publications and the patent right has been exclusively licensed to Xsome Biotech, an N.C.State startup company co-founded by Cheng.

For more information and scientific details on this prototype vaccine, see the full release from N.C. State University.


Read the original post: Inhalable COVID-19 vaccine, anyone? NC State may be on to something - CBS17.com
Free COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic to be Held at Lymes’ Senior Center TODAY; No Appointment, ID, Insurance Required – lymeline.com

Free COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic to be Held at Lymes’ Senior Center TODAY; No Appointment, ID, Insurance Required – lymeline.com

July 11, 2022

OLD LYME Ledge Light Health District hosts a COVID-19 vaccine clinic today, Monday, July 11, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lymes Senior Center, 26 Town Woods Rd. in Old Lyme.

Only the Moderna vaccine will be available at this clinic for individuals 18 years or olderwho need a 1st or 2nd dose or are eligible for a 1st or 2nd booster dose. This clinic is free and open to the public. No appointment, insurance, or ID is necessary. Bring your CDC vaccination card if you have one.

The following groups are eligible for a 1stbooster shot at this clinic:

The following groups are eligible for a 2ndbooster shot at this clinic:

CDC recommends that everyone ages 6 months and older get their primary series of COVID-19 vaccine, and that everyone ages 5 years and older also receive a booster.

Another COVID-19 vaccination clinic will be held on Wednesday, July 13, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Ledyard Senior Center, 12 Van Tassel Drive, Gales Ferry.

For a complete list of community clinics including those where vaccinations are available for people younger than 18, please visithttps://llhd.org/coronavirus-covid-19-situation/covid-19-vaccine/covid-19-vaccine-find-a-vaccination/

Community members and businesses are urged to access up-to-date information regarding the pandemic from reputable sources, including the Ledge Light Health District website (www.LLHD.org), Facebook (@LedgeLightHD), Twitter (@LedgeLightHD), and Instagram (@LedgeLightHD).

Ledge Light Health District (LLHD) serves as the local health department for East Lyme, Groton, Ledyard, Lyme, New London, North Stonington, Old Lyme, Stonington and Waterford, Connecticut. As a health district, formed under Connecticut General Statutes Section 19a-241, LLHD is a special unit of government, allowing member municipalities to provide comprehensive public health services to residents in a more efficient manner by consolidating the services within one organization.


Read more from the original source: Free COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic to be Held at Lymes' Senior Center TODAY; No Appointment, ID, Insurance Required - lymeline.com
Getting a boost, predicting the future and other things you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccine – Medical University of South Carolina

Getting a boost, predicting the future and other things you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccine – Medical University of South Carolina

July 11, 2022

To borrow from one of the great literary minds of our time, the Fresh Prince, its summertime. And in order to maximize your and your familys ability to have fun while school is out (and its sort of a buzz), were here to help you to untangle and make sense of all the different guidance floating around when it comes to COVID vaccines. That way you can take time to sit back and unwind safely.

But first, just to point out how maddeningly confusing it can be as to who should be getting boosted and when this week well start things off with a little quiz.

HYPOTHETICAL QUESTION:You are 48 years old. Your spouse, who just turned 46, has an underlying health condition that necessitated her getting a second COVID vaccine booster. Your kids, one of whom is 12 and the other, who is 16 and suffers with asthma, have both been vaccinated and boosted. The older one recently contracted the virus and was prescribed Paxlovid by the family doctor. Your mother, who lives in Canada and you plan on visiting in two weeks, is currently going through chemotherapy, but shes been vaccinated and boosted as well. Are you eligible for a second booster? Solve for x.

Right. So, its a tad complicated.

To answer tough questions like these and plenty of others we chatted with Danielle Scheurer, M.D., MUSC Health System chief quality officer, who oversees all things COVID for the hospital system.

Q. If youre under 50 and its been more than five months since your first booster, should you be getting another one, even if the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is only recommending it for those 50 and older? I ask because I imagine there arent lines out the door these days.

A. Its a good question, and you make a fair point. As far as should you, the CDC has released no new guidance for those age 49 and younger. And youre right; a lot of those folks are hitting their six-, seven-, eight-month windows, so theyre wondering what they should do. To be honest, we always ask people if theyre eligible for the booster, but if they come in seeking a vaccine, we dont pester them or over-screen. We never turn away people wanting to get a vaccine. Its an honor system.

Q. Same scenario, but lets turn the question on its head: are the boosters even that effective against the latest strains of COVID anyway?

A. For the most part the mindset has changed quite a bit on vaccines and boosters its less about can we prevent you from altogether getting COVID, and its shifted more to a focus on reducing how sick you get if you happen to get COVID. The boosters are still very good, but theres a lot we just dont know. The bottom line is and this gets back to some of the old boring and tiresome public health messaging if you want to prevent getting COVID, you need to social distance, wash hands frequently, wear a mask. That sort of thing.

Q. I keep reading about how the Food and Drug Administration says the next round of boosters should focus on the Omicron subvariants. How are scientists supposed to make a vaccine for variations that havent even happened yet?

A. Youre right. There is some work being done and I dont know how far theyve gotten with it to produce an Omicron-specific booster with some projection of what may happen based on the pattern of behavior. Just like with the flu, COVID is constantly changing. How flu vaccines are made from season to season is based on historical data and projections. Basically, its our best scientific guess, for lack of a better way of putting it. Some years we nail it, and flu numbers are low. Sometimes we dont, and its maybe 30% effective, and a lot more people get sick. So yes, it is possible for the vaccine makers to get a future COVID booster right, but its still based on their best guess, which is usually pretty good. My only concern is that this new round of boosters is only going to be good if the variants quit mutating. And the more time the virus has the luxury of hanging around, the more likely it is to keep mutating and varying. Every iteration of these variants, the vaccine becomes less and less of a shield against transmission. But its still very good at preventing hospitalization and death.

Q. Kids age 5 and younger were recently approved to get the vaccine. What kind of numbers are we seeing at MUSC Healths vaccine sites for kids in that age range?

A. The turnout has been pretty low for little kids. Maybe some of it has to do with it being so early in the approval process. Maybe parents are just overly cautious. Either way, theres not a high uptake yet.

Q. Basic question, but one that I know most people still care about: Regardless of age, does getting a COVID vaccine/booster at any of the MUSC Health sites cost anything?

A. We have chosen not to charge people for the vaccine. And that applies to everybody.

Q. Why does my pediatricians office charge for it?

A. Im not 100% sure, but my guess is theyre not charging you for the vaccine but rather an administration fee, like a payment for their time.

Q. Why isnt everybody who gets a positive COVID test prescribed Paxlovid?

A. The CDC has guidelines for prescribers, and just like with the vaccine, its all about the risk-benefit ratio. In other words, it comes down to the patients age, health history and timing: it needs to be started within five days of coming down with the virus. But that doesnt mean theres a hard and fast rule as to who can get it and who cant. Just like any prescription, it boils down to the expertise of the prescriber as to whether its a good fit for the patient. That said, getting Paxlovid is much easier than ever. More drugstores have it, and now pharmacists themselves are able to prescribe it, saving the patient the headache of having to scramble to find a prescriber and then a location that actually has the pills.

Q. Last one. Were in a weird time where were in a spike, but nobody really seems to be behaving like we have in the past: i.e., social distancing, masking, etc. To what do you attribute infection numbers being medium to high but hospitalizations and deaths so low? Is it because the strains are less severe or maybe were approaching some sort of herd immunity?

A. I think it might be both. There is pretty good evidence that were pretty close to, if not already at, herd immunity. Most Americans have evidence of antibodies in their systems, whether its from vaccine or natural antibodies. So, combine that with the fact that Omicron seems to be a little less severe, and thats my best guess as to why things havent spiraled out of control.

**Got a vaccine question you'd like answered? Email it to donovanb@musc.edu with subject line "Vaccine Q."


Original post:
Getting a boost, predicting the future and other things you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccine - Medical University of South Carolina
City of Columbia and DHEC are partnering to offer COVID-19 vaccinations and tests at local parks – Abccolumbia.com

City of Columbia and DHEC are partnering to offer COVID-19 vaccinations and tests at local parks – Abccolumbia.com

July 11, 2022

City of Columbia and DHEC are offering COVID-19 vaccinations and tests at are parks

Jul 10, 2022 10:15 AM EDT

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) Looking for a COVID-19 vaccine?

The City of Columbia and DHEC are offering COVID-19 vaccinations and tests at area parks.

SC DHEC will be handing out self-administering tests kits and providing vaccinations at each clinic, say officials.

For the month of July, the following clinics will be open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.


Continue reading here: City of Columbia and DHEC are partnering to offer COVID-19 vaccinations and tests at local parks - Abccolumbia.com
Expert explains how to protect yourself against the recent Covid surges – CNN

Expert explains how to protect yourself against the recent Covid surges – CNN

July 11, 2022

CNN

The much-awaited summer lull in coronavirus cases doesnt appear to be happening as Covid-19 infections continue to increase in much of the United States.

An earlier rise in cases this year was driven by the BA.2 Omicron subvariant. Now, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that two other subvariants, BA.4 and BA.5, constitute more than 70% of new infections in the country. These subvariants may partially escape the immunity produced by the vaccine and by prior infection, though vaccination still likely protects against severe illness.

These developments are occurring as more people resume travel and other pre-pandemic activities. How should people think about their risk from Covid-19 right now? If they are vaccinated and boosted, are they safe? What about those who recently had Covid-19? What kind of precautions should people take if they still want to avoid Covid-19? And if someone tests positive for the coronavirus, should this person still isolate?

To help with these questions, I spoke with CNN Medical Analyst Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and professor of health policy and management at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health. She is also author of Lifelines: A Doctors Journey in the Fight for Public Health.

CNN: Do current Covid-19 trends indicate that there is another surge of cases in the United States?

Dr. Leana Wen: Im not sure this would be called another surge because the numbers didnt really come down from the previous rise. In the winter, from December 2021 to about February 2022, we saw a huge surge in cases from the original Omicron subvariant, BA.1. There was a small lull; then BA.2 came along with that rise in cases. Now, BA.4 and BA.5 are displacing previous Omicron subvariants and are causing most of the infections in the US. Many places are seeing an increase in infections from a high baseline of cases.

We also have to keep in mind that the number of reported cases is much lower than the actual number of cases. I think we could have anywhere from five to 10 times as many cases as are reported, considering how many cases are diagnosed by home antigen tests and are not reported to public health authorities.

The good news is that these recent surges have not been accompanied by hospitals being overwhelmed, which illustrates the powerful effect of the vaccines in mostly decoupling infection from severe illness.

CNN: With these kinds of numbers, how should people think about their Covid-19 risk? Does that mean people should cancel travel and bring back restrictions?

Wen: I dont think that most people should have to change their daily activities, but I do think people need to be aware of their risk of contracting Covid-19 if they dont take additional precautions.

The good news is that the vaccines and boosters continue to provide excellent protection against severe disease. However, we also know that immunity wanes over time, and there does appear to be some immune (evasion) with BA.4 and BA.5 in particular. That means people who are vaccinated and boosted are unlikely to become severely ill if they contract Covid-19, but they could still become infected.

The question people should ask is this: How much do they want to continue to avoid infection? There is so much virus around us, and the variants are so contagious. That means avoiding infection requires additional consideration. Many people may not want to plan their lives around Covid-19 precautions anymore, especially if they are generally healthy and well-protected from severe illness.

On the other hand, many people may still prioritize not contracting Covid-19 because of the risk of long-haul symptoms. They may also have underlying medical conditions that predispose to more severe outcomes themselves, or they may live with others who are more vulnerable and want to reduce their risk to those around them.

CNN: For people who want to be cautious, what do you recommend?

Wen: For individuals who want to prioritize reducing their risk of Covid-19 infection, Id advise first that they follow the CDC guidance and stay up to date on their boosters. Everyone ages 5 and older can receive a first booster. Those 50 and older can receive a second booster for a total of four shots.

Certain individuals (who are moderately or severely immunocompromised) can receive five shots. (These individuals should also find out if they are eligible for Evusheld, the preventive antibody that can further aid in reducing the progression to severe illness.)

Id also urge that they wear a high-quality N95 mask or equivalent in indoor, crowded settings. Mask mandates being lifted does not mean that people shouldnt wear masks. A lot of people dont find masks to be inconvenient. If thats the case, Id continue to wear masks in all indoor public settings. For those who find masks uncomfortable, Id encourage mask-wearing in the highest-risk settings for example, mask while in a crowded security line at the airport and during boarding and deplaning.

Of course, remember that outdoor gatherings continue to be much lower risk than indoors. People who want to be very cautious should try to go to outdoor gatherings if possible and then go to indoor gatherings only if others all have negative tests that day.

CNN: A lot of people are sick of hearing about these precautions. What if they just want to live their lives but dont want to infect vulnerable people?

Wen: I certainly understand this sentiment. Its very hard for society to impose restrictions on individuals and ask people to forever put gatherings like weddings and birthday parties on hold or to forgo going to activities they love like indoor restaurants and gyms. My best advice here is to recognize that if you go to indoor settings, you could contract Covid-19. Be aware of your risk and take precautions accordingly.

For example, perhaps you can go about living your life as you wish, but before you visit grandma in a nursing home, take a rapid test that day. If you go to a crowded indoor wedding, take a test a few days after to make sure you didnt contract the coronavirus. And if you have symptoms at any point, immediately test and do not expose others around you.

CNN: Are you safe if you recently had Covid-19?

Wen: Recent infection produces some protection that probably lasts for about three months. Reinfection can certainly happen though, and some studies suggest that getting the original Omicron BA.1 does not protect against the newer variants. Vaccination in addition to recent recovery conveys better protection, so make sure you are up to date with your vaccines and boosters, even if youve had Covid-19.

CNN: And what if you do test positive should you still isolate?

Wen: Yes, because you dont want to spread Covid-19 to others. The CDC guidance is that you isolate for five days and then wear a mask around others for an additional five days after that if symptoms are improving. I think a testing policy is even better than this because people remain infected for different lengths of time. Id encourage people to take home tests daily from day four and to end isolation once their home rapid antigen test is negative. Now is the time to make sure you have plenty of home tests!


Read the original here: Expert explains how to protect yourself against the recent Covid surges - CNN
Pharmacy Focus: Move the Needle Monday- Pediatric COVID-19 Immunization Updates – Pharmacy Times

Pharmacy Focus: Move the Needle Monday- Pediatric COVID-19 Immunization Updates – Pharmacy Times

July 11, 2022

Move the Needle - Episode 10

There is new guidance needed for pediatric immunizations, and pharmacists should be prepared for what's to come.

In this month's episode, Ed Cohen and John Beckner from NCPA are joined by Mitchel Rothholz, RPh, MBA, Chief of Governance & State Affiliates- American Pharmacists Association, and Executive Director, APhA Foundation, about pediatric COVID-19 doses and preparation for flu season.


More here: Pharmacy Focus: Move the Needle Monday- Pediatric COVID-19 Immunization Updates - Pharmacy Times
COVID-19 Daily Update 7-11-2022 – West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources

COVID-19 Daily Update 7-11-2022 – West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources

July 11, 2022

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) reports as of July 11, 2022, there are currently 2,858 active COVID-19 cases statewide. There have been 22 deaths reported since the last report, with a total of 7,091 deaths attributed to COVID-19.

DHHR has confirmed the deaths of a 96-year old female from Wayne County, a 91-year old male from Kanawha County, a 91-year old female from Mason County, a 94-year old female from Roane County, a 91-year old female from Kanawha County, a 95-year old male from Cabell County, a 71-year old male from Kanawha County, an 87-year old male from Wyoming County, a 75-year old male from Hancock County, a 56-year old male from Wood County, an 81-year old female from Roane County, an 85-year old female from Harrison County, an 88-year old male from Kanawha County, an 87-year old female from Cabell County, a 79-year old female from Kanawha County, a 92-year old female from Fayette County, an 83-year old male from Kanawha County, a 44-year old female from Jefferson County, a 78-year old male from Lewis County, an 80-year old male from Wayne County, a 79-year old female from Wyoming County, and a 78-year old female from Upshur County.

In West Virginia, we have a high percentage of children who are cared for by a grandparent, said Bill J. Crouch. We cannot afford to lose these family pillars, who provide critical love and care, to COVID-19. Please protect your family with the vaccine and boosters.

CURRENT ACTIVE CASES PER COUNTY: Barbour (12), Berkeley (181), Boone (40), Braxton (15), Brooke (20), Cabell (141), Calhoun (7), Clay (8), Doddridge (5), Fayette (92), Gilmer (10), Grant (13), Greenbrier (68), Hampshire (21), Hancock (43), Hardy (22), Harrison (137), Jackson (31), Jefferson (82), Kanawha (337), Lewis (25), Lincoln (22), Logan (53), Marion (97), Marshall (71), Mason (41), McDowell (67), Mercer (118), Mineral (34), Mingo (38), Monongalia (140), Monroe (21), Morgan (11), Nicholas (47), Ohio (58), Pendleton (7), Pleasants (16), Pocahontas (2), Preston (43), Putnam (96), Raleigh (145), Randolph (18), Ritchie (13), Roane (13), Summers (24), Taylor (27), Tucker (14), Tyler (5), Upshur (62), Wayne (17), Webster (24), Wetzel (24), Wirt (6), Wood (128), Wyoming (59). To find the cumulative cases per county, please visit coronavirus.wv.gov and look on the Cumulative Summary tab which is sortable by county.

West Virginians ages 6 months and older are recommended to get vaccinated against the virus that causes COVID-19. Those 5 years and older should receive a booster shot when due. Second booster shots for those age 50 and over who are 4 months or greater from their first booster are recommended, as well as for younger individuals over 12 years old with serious and chronic health conditions that lead to being considered moderately to severely immunocompromised.

Visit the WV COVID-19 Vaccination Due Date Calculator, a free, online tool that helps individuals figure out when they may be due for a COVID-19 shot, making it easier to stay up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccination. To learn more about COVID-19 vaccines, or to find a vaccine site near you, visit vaccinate.wv.gov or call 1-833-734-0965.

To locate COVID-19 testing near you, please visit https://dhhr.wv.gov/COVID-19/pages/testing.aspx.


Read more from the original source: COVID-19 Daily Update 7-11-2022 - West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources
Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine in the Run for EUA Approval – Legal Reader

Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine in the Run for EUA Approval – Legal Reader

July 9, 2022

No matter the situation, the health leaders and advisory teams explore new options to discover one that ensures more robust and durable immunity, doing away with the need for the frequency of booster shots.

The overall pace of COVID-19 spread in the United States has slowed, with more incidences observed in Western areas than in its traditional hotbeds of activity. For example, California recorded a massive surge in new infections, the only sight of respite being slightly less number of hospitalizations and a low and stable fatality rate. Under the influence of the Delta virus, the state clocked over 2k cases of corona positivity in ICUs. However, the latest wave has resulted in some 300 such cases. The experts believe that better diagnosis, advanced treatments, and vaccination drive can prevent severe illnesses from viral infection.

However, the virus today is not necessarily the virus tomorrow. The virus can change and cause new problems. Hence, there is a need to have a ready response system. In this effort, The US Food and Drug Administration advisory board continues to discuss the emergency use of new vaccines and other treatment options that offer promising outcomes. A case in point is the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by Novavax, a biotechnology firm from Maryland. The advisory board gives the nod to the vaccine for emergency use authorization (EUA) for people in the age group of 18 and more. While it has obtained a recommendation, the actual authorization will be effective once the agency has done the investigation of its development and manufacturing process.

The uniqueness of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine

It is a different type of vaccine than we have in the United States. We have two types of vaccines the adenovirus vector vaccine by Johnson & Johnson and RNA/ mRNA vaccines. These vaccines inject the genetic recipe into the body cells, and those cells, in turn, produce the protein so that our immunity can fight the disease. The other vaccine contains an adenovirus vector. Scientists have changed this virus so that it cant make you sick. It is a good virus that helps us make more protein to fight the infection.

However, the Novavax vaccine leverages the older vaccine development techniques, where the injection introduces the protein and not the genetic recipe. So, the main difference is that this vaccine uses proteins made outside the body and injects them into the system to aid immunity. These proteins are put together in a special way to create nanoparticles, which further help your body make more proteins. This vaccine also contains immune stimulants like adjuvant. Adjuvants can trigger better action from your immunity.

Other vaccines that use the same model as Novavax include diphtheria toxoid vaccines, tetanus toxoid vaccines, the hepatitis B virus, and others. These are not COVID-related, though.

Novavax vaccine side effects

These vaccine types usually dont cause any risk apart from inflammation (redness or soreness) at the injection site. In its clinical trial of nearly 40,000 people, 6 cases of myocarditis and one in the placebo group occurred. And mainly, a tiny fraction of young men reported these issues. mRNA vaccines didnt reveal such side effects in clinical tests, but these cases appeared only after administering millions of injections. Hence, such results of Novavax during clinical trials made FDA advisors warn against it if this gets the EUA nod.

Vaccine hesitancy among the Americans

Novavax vaccines efficacy in the clinical trial stood at 90% overall and 80% in people older than 65. But the delay in its approval creates an uncertain atmosphere around it. About 80% of Americans have had their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and two-thirds have completed both rounds. Nearly 50% of the eligible candidates have taken their booster shots. But vaccine trend seems to have hit a plateau in the US. On digging into a recent survey by MyBioSource, you will realize that places like Louisiana, South Dakota, Arkansas, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, and others either displayed a higher number of people opposing the public policies around COVID or remained equally divided over the same. The same poll also suggests growing resentment toward the safety steps, with Louisiana and Montana seeing nearly 15% and 31% rise, respectively.

It is unclear what change this new vaccine can bring about, but the makers promote it as a traditional protein-style vaccine. Experts opine that there can be a marginal improvement in the outlook, and one cannot expect colossal demand to surge from this.

No matter the situation, the health leaders and advisory teams explore new options to discover one that ensures more robust and durable immunity, doing away with the need for the frequency of booster shots. The vaccine should be easy to apply and store. Also, it should be able to offer protection against all types of mutating COVID viruses. More precisely, it should have a ubiquitous impact with few risks. In terms of these, Novavax can be a solution, mainly in countries with low to medium economies, if not the US, because those places lack the cold storage capacity required for most mRNA vaccines.


See the article here: Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine in the Run for EUA Approval - Legal Reader