Episode 149: COVID Vaccines Update [Historic episode].
Future Dr. Williams presented an update on COVID-19 vaccines. This update is only for immunocompetent individuals, and it was recorded on August 24, 2023. Dr. Arreaza added comments and insight.
Written by John Williams, MS4, Ross University School of Medicine. Editing by Hector Arreaza, M.D.
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Currently, there are two types of vaccines that have been approved by the FDA:
- Moderna and Pfizer developed mRNA vaccines.
- Novavax developed a lesser-known protein subunit vaccine.
- As of May 6, 2023, the vaccine developed by Johnson & Johnson has expired and is not available in the U.S.
Novavax: This vaccine contains pieces (proteins) of the virus that causes COVID-19, the spike protein plus an adjuvant. It works by activating the immune system against the spike protein, so it will be ready to fight the actual virus when you get infected.
Regardless of vaccine type, the shots are administered in the upper arm and have been demonstrated, for most people, to be safe and effective. There have now been hundreds of million vaccines administered in the US alone and the effectiveness of the vaccine to reduce the risks of severe illness, hospitalization, and death has been well documented. The most common side effects consist of mild to moderate cases of fever, chills, headache, and tiredness that are self-resolving.
What is new about COVID-19 Vaccines?
The updated vaccine is known as “bivalent”. This term is important because it refers to the vaccine’s ability to confer protection against both the original COVID-19 virus as well as new variants Omicron BA.4 and BA.5. Rollout of the updated vaccine began in September 2022 for those aged 12 years and older and became widespread in March 2023 with approval granted for use in children aged 6 months – 4 years. Selected individuals over age 65 or those who are immunocompromised may receive additional doses to provide comparable and safe protection. The receipt of the updated vaccine supersedes any previous doses and provides coverage against the most recent known variants determined to be either most widespread or that have been projected to be more prevalent.
- Children aged 6 months – 4 years who received the original Pfizer vaccine
- Those who received either 2 or 3 doses of the original vaccine should receive 1 dose of the updated vaccine.
- Those who received 1 dose of the original vaccine should receive 2 doses of the updated vaccine.
- You are considered up to date if you have received 3 vaccine doses, including at least 1 updated dose.
- Children aged 5 years who received the original Pfizer vaccine
- Those who received 1+ doses of the original vaccine should receive 1 dose of the updated vaccine.
- You are considered up to date if you have received at least 1 updated dose.
- Children aged 6 months – 4 years who received the original Moderna vaccine
- Those who received either 2 or 1 dose(s) of the original vaccine should get 1 updated vaccine.
- Children aged 5 years who received the original Moderna vaccine
- Those who received either 2 or 1 dose(s) of the original vaccine should get 1 updated vaccine.
- Unvaccinated children 6 m-4 years should receive the new bivalent vaccine, 2 doses of
- Moderna or 3 doses of Pfizer, but if you are 5 years old and unvaccinated, you will receive 1 dose of Pfizer or 2 doses of Moderna.
For 6-11 yo patients who have been vaccinated with 1 or more doses of monovalent (Moderna or Pfizer) will receive 1 dose of Bivalent Moderna or Pfizer. If you already received 2 monovalent doses and 1 bivalent dose, you are done, no more vaccines are needed. If you have not received any COVID-19 vaccine and you are in this age group (6-11 yo), you only need 1 bivalent dose, and you are done.
>12 yo and Adults. If you received 1 or more doses of monovalent or if you are not vaccinated, you need 1 dose of bivalent (Pfizer or Moderna). If you already had 2 doses of monovalent and 1 dose of bivalent, you are done!
An FDA advisory committee convened on June 15, 2023, to discern the importance for additional updates to the most recent COVID-19 vaccine series. It was determined that the latest circulating variant currently making rounds is from the Omicron group known as XBB. The committee decided it is prudent to proceed with a preference for the XBB 1.5 variant. The updated vaccine will be a monovalent version available in the Fall of 2023. As with the previous version, the FDA will provide strict oversight and safety monitoring of the vaccine.
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Conclusion: Now we conclude episode number 149, “COVID Vaccines Updates.” Future Dr. Williams explained that the bivalent COVID vaccines are currently recommended for unvaccinated patients, or for those who were previously vaccinated with monovalent vaccines. This episode focused on patients who are NOT immunocompromised. We encourage our audience to check the CDC website for recommendations about patients who are immunocompromised.
As a clarification, our sub-intern, John Williams, has a great sense of humor and he claimed to be the composer of the music for many famous Hollywood movies. We don’t doubt his musical talent, but we must make clear that it was a joke!
This week we thank Hector Arreaza and John Williams. Audio editing by Adrianne Silva.
Even without trying, every night you go to bed a little wiser. Thanks for listening to Rio Bravo qWeek Podcast. We want to hear from you, send us an email at RioBravoqWeek@clinicasierravista.org, or visit our website riobravofmrp.org/qweek. See you next week!
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References:
- Tin, Alexander, New COVID vaccine and booster shots for this fall to be available by end of September, CBS Texas, published online on August 9, 2023. https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/covid-vaccine-booster-xbb-variants-september-2023/, accessed on September 7/, 2023.
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Overview of COVID-19 Vaccines, updated May 23, 2023, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/overview-COVID-19-vaccines.html, accessed on September 7, 2023.
- Updated COVID-19 Vaccines for Use in the United States Beginning in Fall 2023, United States Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/updated-covid-19-vaccines-use-united-states-beginning-fall-2023, accessed on September 7, 2023.
- Royalty-free music used for this episode: Gushito - Latin Chill. Downloaded on July 29, 2023, from https://www.videvo.net/
