Coronavirus

[Swerd]

Most of my shots were done by airguns in the USAF back in 1975. I wonder if the military still uses them.

I had to look that up!

• The US military had developed & tested multi-use jet injectors for vaccinations since the early 1950s.
• In 1961, the military started to routinely use jet injectors for vaccinations.
• In 1986, a Hepatitis B virus outbreak occurred among 57 patients at a Los Angeles clinic because of jet injector.
• In 1997, the US Department of Defense, the jet injector's biggest user, announced that it would stop using it for mass vaccinations due to concerns about infection.
• In 2003, the US Department of Veterans Affairs recognized for the first time that a veteran acquired a Hepatitis C virus infection from jet injections he received during military service, and awarded service-connection for his disability.

Jet injector - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Mr._Clark]

The boosters have been approved. Even though it is (in theory) possible to get one with no out of pocket cost, $100+ per jab seems high to me.

>>>How much will it cost?
For the first time since the vaccines became available, the federal government will not cover the cost of the shots.

Pfizer and Moderna have said they are pricing each vaccine dose at over $100.

Jennifer Kates, director of the Global Health & HIV Policy Program at the nonprofit KFF, said most people with private and public health insurance should continue to pay nothing out of pocket for the boosters — as long as they stick with an in-network provider.

“If you go out of network, you might have some cost, just like with any other service,” she said.

People who don’t have insurance — an estimated 30 million in the U.S. — should be able to get a booster for free at community health centers. Additionally, the Biden administration is also rolling out a “bridge” program that will offer uninsured people access to free boosters at least through the end of 2024. Those who don’t know or don’t have access to these resources may have to pay out of pocket, she said.<<<

FDA clears new Covid boosters: 5 things to know

The new shots are formulated to target the XBB.1.5 subvariant.

www.nbcnews.com

 

[GO-NAD!]

I had to look that up!

• The US military had developed & tested multi-use jet injectors for vaccinations since the early 1950s.
• In 1961, the military started to routinely use jet injectors for vaccinations.
• In 1986, a Hepatitis B virus outbreak occurred among 57 patients at a Los Angeles clinic because of jet injector.
• In 1997, the US Department of Defense, the jet injector's biggest user, announced that it would stop using it for mass vaccinations due to concerns about infection.
• In 2003, the US Department of Veterans Affairs recognized for the first time that a veteran acquired a Hepatitis C virus infection from jet injections he received during military service, and awarded service-connection for his disability.

Jet injector - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I don't think they were ever used in the Canadian military. Certainly not in 1982, when I joined up. Of course, our armed forces were/are much, much smaller than the in US, so basic training courses were also much smaller.

 

[cpp]

I will stay on target with my Covid boosters, but for those over 60, we now have to consider a new first released RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) vaccine. After years of research, there are now two vaccines for babies and older adults over 60. Arexvy which has an 82.6% efficacy in preventing symptomatic lower respiratory disease associated with RSV in the first RSV season, while Abrysvo had an efficacy of 88.9% in the first season. Both vaccines are given as a single dose and can be received at the same time as other vaccines.

 

[Verdinut]

I will stay on target with my Covid boosters, but for those over 60, we now have to consider a new first released RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) vaccine. After years of research, there are now two vaccines for babies and older adults over 60. Arexvy which has an 82.6% efficacy in preventing symptomatic lower respiratory disease associated with RSV in the first RSV season, while Abrysvo had an efficacy of 88.9% in the first season. Both vaccines are given as a single dose and can be received at the same time as other vaccines.

That new respiratory RSV vaccine is not covered by our governments in Canada. It would cost $300 to get it, and some people who most likely need it won't be able to afford the expense. If these catch the disease and need hospitalization, the overall cost to governing bodies will exceed the $300 that they don't wish to fund.

 

[davidscott]

You can re-enlist to find out.

 

[davidscott]

Probably will get the new covid with my yearly flu shot in the next few weeks.

 

[Mr._Clark]

This news blurb links mutations in the virus to treatment with molnupiravir.

>>>The study put forward that molnupiravir may increase genomic diversity in the viral cells that survive the hazardous mutations brought on by the drug, expanding the variety from which SARS-CoV-2 can select from for future changes.

“Importantly, the divergence of the molnupiravir mutation spectrum from standard SARS-CoV-2 mutational dynamics might allow the virus to explore the fitness of distinctive parts of the possible genomic landscape to those it is already widely exploring in the general population,” the study stated.

“Molnupiravir-induced mutation could also potentially allow infections to persist for longer by creating a more varied target for the immune system.”<<<

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/4222003-potential-link-found-between-merck-antiviral-and-mutated-covid-strains/

The Harvard Gazette also just ran an article on the topic of mutations caused by molnupiravir.

>>>Since molnupiravir causes the virus to die by inducing mutations, some have raised concerns about the possibility of inadvertently creating new, treatment-resistant versions of the virus. Coronaviruses like SARS-CoV-2 are good at mutating into newer strains like Delta, Omicron, and EG.5. The idea of a drug that helps the virus mutate, even for the purpose of killing it, has some people worried. . . .

A research team . . . took a math-based dive into the question of whether molnupiravir could lead to harmful mutations of the virus that causes COVID-19. . . . They conclude with potential good news: Molnupiravir appears to be “marginally evolutionarily safe.” That is, if used correctly, the treatment reduces the ability of the virus to create surviving mutants.<<<

Could COVID drug spawn super virus?

Some worry a treatment that kills SARS-CoV-2 by helping it mutate could spawn a super virus. New research weighs in on its "evolutionary safety."

news.harvard.edu

“Marginally evolutionarily safe” doesn't give me the warm fuzzies.

 

[cpp]

This news blurb links mutations in the virus to treatment with molnupiravir.

>>>The study put forward that molnupiravir may increase genomic diversity in the viral cells that survive the hazardous mutations brought on by the drug, expanding the variety from which SARS-CoV-2 can select from for future changes.

“Importantly, the divergence of the molnupiravir mutation spectrum from standard SARS-CoV-2 mutational dynamics might allow the virus to explore the fitness of distinctive parts of the possible genomic landscape to those it is already widely exploring in the general population,” the study stated.

“Molnupiravir-induced mutation could also potentially allow infections to persist for longer by creating a more varied target for the immune system.”<<<

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/4222003-potential-link-found-between-merck-antiviral-and-mutated-covid-strains/

The Harvard Gazette also just ran an article on the topic of mutations caused by molnupiravir.

>>>Since molnupiravir causes the virus to die by inducing mutations, some have raised concerns about the possibility of inadvertently creating new, treatment-resistant versions of the virus. Coronaviruses like SARS-CoV-2 are good at mutating into newer strains like Delta, Omicron, and EG.5. The idea of a drug that helps the virus mutate, even for the purpose of killing it, has some people worried. . . .

A research team . . . took a math-based dive into the question of whether molnupiravir could lead to harmful mutations of the virus that causes COVID-19. . . . They conclude with potential good news: Molnupiravir appears to be “marginally evolutionarily safe.” That is, if used correctly, the treatment reduces the ability of the virus to create surviving mutants.<<<

Could COVID drug spawn super virus?

Some worry a treatment that kills SARS-CoV-2 by helping it mutate could spawn a super virus. New research weighs in on its "evolutionary safety."

news.harvard.edu

“Marginally evolutionary safe” doesn't give me the warm fuzzies.

This virus is mutating as faster than a Kardashian/Taylor Swift picks a new partner.

But, in reality, the Covid virus is changing fast and I'm affraid it will change faster than the research can keep up.

 

[Speedskater]

My Primary Care Physician instructed me to space vaccines about two weeks apart.

 

[Swerd]

This virus is mutating as faster than a Kardashian/Taylor Swift picks a new partner.

But, in reality, the Covid virus is changing fast and I'm affraid it will change faster than the research can keep up.

The Covid-19 virus mutates rapidly, as do all newly emerged infectious viruses. But the mutations that survive are those that allow the virus to infect many hosts (people) without killing them. All viruses end up doing that. And we see plenty of evidence that SARS-CoV-2 is doing that too.

For example, look at the influenza virus that caused the dangerous "Spanish Flu" pandemic of 1918-20. It killed many millions. Today, all influenza virus strains that survive are direct descendants of that Spanish Flu virus. They replaced any other flu strains that existed before 1918-20. These direct descendants are highly infectious, but they aren't nearly as lethal as they were in 1918-20.

The news media are getting this mutation story partially right and partially wrong. The virus continues to mutate rapidly – but we aren't doomed.

I still urge people to get vaccinated with the latest vaccine. I will sometime in October. The virus may be less lethal than in 2020, but we cannot assume our individual immune systems will always be up to handling an infection. We can be confident that this virus will settle down and behave itself. But we simply don't know when that will happen.

 

[davidscott]

My Primary Care Physician instructed me to space vaccines about two weeks apart.

Probably will do that so I don't have multiple after effects in the same day. Will probably get the flu shot next week then the updated covid 2 weeks later. Thanks for the info.

 

[Verdinut]

About the flu shot, although my age I'm not interested in getting it. I don't remember when I had that flu the last time, I think it was over 50 years ago. I had a shot in 2021 but I'm not worrying about getting it. I have been taking food supplements for almost 40 years and I'm sure that they have been boosting my immune system all that time.
However, with regard to Covid-19 , I am going to get the new vaccine around Mid November. Experts say that we don't have to get the shot before at least 5 months and even more have expired since last shot. My last shot was on March 25.

 

[cpp]

we cannot assume our individual immune systems will always be up to handling an infection.

Now that is a spot on, TRUE statement. Well said.

 

[GO-NAD!]

About the flu shot, although my age I'm not interested in getting it. I don't remember when I had that flu the last time, I think it was over 50 years ago. I had a shot in 2021 but I'm not worrying about getting it. I have been taking food supplements for almost 40 years and I'm sure that they have been boosting my immune system all that time.
However, with regard to Covid-19 , I am going to get the new vaccine around Mid November. Experts say that we don't have to get the shot before at least 5 months and even more have expired since last shot. My last shot was on March 25.

I can't remember the last time I had the flu either, but I get my shot every year.

 

[cpp]

I can't remember the last time I had the flu either, but I get my shot every year.

I don't listen to the news or take advice from politicians and celebrities regarding my health, I trust my doctor,(s) have been for a long time. I've gotten my flu shot ever year for a really long time and can't remember when I had the flu. I think a lot has to do with your immune system, your current health and how you take care of yourself and I think age has a lot to do with it. The older you get, the weaker your immune system becomes, and the more likely you are to get seriously ill or die because of it. And from what I have read and been told by doctors, age 60 is when it all starts to go downhill.

 

[GO-NAD!]

I don't listen to the news or take advice from politicians and celebrities regarding my health, I trust my doctor,(s) have been for a long time. I've gotten my flu shot ever year for a really long time and can't remember when I had the flu. I think a lot has to do with your immune system, your current health and how you take care of yourself and I think age has a lot to do with it. The older you get, the weaker your immune system becomes, and the more likely you are to get seriously ill or die because of it. And from what I have read and been told by doctors, age 60 is when it all starts to go downhill.

I don't understand people who say, "I've got a strong immune system, so I don't need a vaccination".

Your immune system is "strong" until it isn't, and you may not know it until you get seriously ill after forgoing a safe and effective vaccine.

 

[cpp]

I don't understand people who say, "I've got a strong immune system, so I don't need a vaccination".

Your immune system is "strong" until it isn't, and you may not know it until you get seriously ill after forgoing a safe and effective vaccine.

Your first statement is so true. The Trumpers and DeSantis follow that one.

Regarding your second statement, after my cancer surgery and treatment from March 2020 - May 6th,( all during the full blown covid outbreak), 6 months later, they performed blood test on me to check my immune system to check the levels of infection-fighting proteins (immunoglobulins) in my blood and measure the levels of blood cells and immune system cells. It for me, I was still not in the safe zone, after having he cancer along with 32 lymph nodes removed and the proton radiation. It was basically 13 months until my immune system recovered. Vaccines sure, as it beats the alternatives.

 

[Swerd]

As soon as I hear someone say, "I've got a strong immune system …", I think 2 or 3 things:

1. If your immune system is actually strong, why won't you allow it to work?
   
   
2. That's code used by people who're afraid of needles.
   
   
3. If they're actually an anti-vaxxer, I say nothing at all, and only nod my head in agreement.

 

[Trell]

If they're actually an anti-vaxxer, I say nothing at all, and only nod my head in agreement.

You mean they’re the control group?