Week 43.5 coronavirus update – new strains, vaccine update

New strain

A new strain of the SARS-CoV2 virus was recently identified in the UK, but appears to have begun to spread around the world well before its identification. Also another seems to have sprung up in South Africa, but little is known at this point about this one.

Both appear to be more contagious but not more virulent. That means easier to spread but not causing more severe illness. There are some headlines about those under age 20 being more affected, but the data from the UK suggests that those under age 20 are only slightly more susceptible than with the previous strains.

Of course there is always the over analysis by the media. So far this appears to be just the usual mutations that occur as a virus spreads through the population. Thankfully these changes in the virus will be analyzed and followed carefully.

The currently available vaccines should still be effective against this mutation, according to the latest analysis.

The main implication is to remain diligent with the now deeply ingrained personal protection measures.

Vaccine update

UC Health apparently has enough surplus vaccine to begin scheduling some of their patients for administration. It appears to be a lottery selection based simply on age criteria.

A patient also notified me that he had gotten the vaccine in Summit County.

So it appears that the vaccine availability is getting out beyond the initial 1b group.

The FDA reiterated the necessity of getting BOTH Pfizer and Moderna vaccines in order to get the full benefit. This is in response to some who stated that getting by with only one vaccine or perhaps even a half dose for those age 18-55 would allow more vaccine availability. They also recommended not to mix-and-match, ie. don’t get the first Pfizer and second Moderna and visa versa.

There is some evidence that the Moderna vaccine dose can be halved for those under age 55 with effective resulting antibody levels. It makes sense that those under age 55 need a lower dose of COVID-19 vaccine, as this is seen in other vaccines like influenza and shingles/chicken pox.

Stay well and don’t stop being careful.