Vaccines

“Receiving more than one updated booster is not currently authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.” The US CDC issued the above guidance this week (March 27th), stating: “At this time, one updated booster dose is recommended for everyone in order to maintain protection from severe illness.” **Correction: This article was corrected on March Read more…

A: Yes, you can and Ramadan Mubarak! Islamic leaders and scholars agree that getting the COVID-19 vaccine does not break the fast for Ramadan. If you have not yet gotten your primary vaccine series or bivalent booster, you still can! Read on for more answers to your questions about Ramadan and COVID-19 vaccines. Ramadan is Read more…

Yes…and no. A past COVID-19 infection does provide good protection against re-infection and severe disease–IF you survived your first infection. Vaccination is still by far the safest way to get your first look at the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and build immune defenses for a future encounter. A recent meta-analysis of 65 studies from 19 countries Read more…

A: Scientists are working on it, but it may be a year or longer before they are available in the U.S. and E.U. Several groups in the U.S. are working to develop nasal vaccines for COVD-19, but most are still doing pre-clinical trials in animals. Two groups have progressed to studying humans, and one of Read more…

A: Currently, there is no recommendation for additional boosters. TL;DR: The U.S. may be moving towards annual boosters, but with “flexibility” for the most vulnerable if the situation changes. Last week the U.S. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met to discuss the future of COVID-19 vaccines. The group acknowledged that older (>65 years) and Read more…

Thanks to Oregon Health Authority for a concise answer to one of our most common current questions! Image text: Question: I had my bivalent COVID-19 vaccine (my 5th vaccine) in early September 2022, along with my flu shot. Since these vaccines wear off over time, will I be able to receive another COVID-19 and flu Read more…

A: It depends! You should not get the vaccine while sick with COVID-19, but other mild illnesses are not necessarily a reason to delay vaccination. Lots of folks are getting sick right now with all kinds of viral illnesses including the flu, colds, RSV and COVID-19. You might find yourself feeling under the weather right Read more…

I got my updated/bivalent booster in September, and I’m worried my protection is waning. A: We don’t know yet, but the FDA may be giving guidance soon. **UPDATE 1/31/23.** The VRBAC meeting happened last week, but the only official vote was to make the primary series (1st two doses) the same formula as the updated Read more…