COVID-19 Megathread 6: Return of the Omicron

[Torie]

FDA authorizes Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna coronavirus vaccine boosters for all adults

The US Food and Drug Administration on Friday authorized boosters of the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna Covid-19 vaccines for all adults, the companies said.

The agency expanded emergency use authorization for booster doses of both the mRNA vaccines beyond who was eligible previously; boosters had been authorized for anyone 65 and older who was vaccinated with the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines at least six months ago and for certain adults at high risk of infection or of severe disease.

Pfizer and BioNTech requested authorization last week based on results of a Phase 3 trial involving more than 10,000 participants; it found boosters were safe and had an efficacy of 95% against symptomatic Covid-19 compared with the two-dose vaccine schedule in the period when the highly transmissible Delta was the dominant strain. Pfizer released the booster efficacy data last month; it has not yet been peer-reviewed or published.

Moderna requested authorization of its 50-microgram booster dose for all adults on Wednesday.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/19/health/covid-vaccine-boosters-fda-cdc/

If you didn't get a booster because you were healthy in a low risk job and under 65, well now you can!

This is great news. Boosters for all should have been the decision from the beginning. This is especially true now looking at the ongoing train wreck in Europe, where countries are seeing record cases and full hospitals despite high vaccination rates. I think that waning immunity is definitely playing a part in that, especially of Pfizer as Moderna is nonexistent over there, and the same could be a problem in the US too since the general population got their vaccines in April and May so now would be when the effectiveness starts to wane.

Yes, when I get booster 2 this coming February, I am going to switch over to Moderna. Pfizer seems to be an inferior product as to efficacy. And now "the science" suggests that you get more protection with the switchover.

[emailking]

Yes, when I get booster 2 this coming February, I am going to switch over to Moderna. Pfizer seems to be an inferior product as to efficacy. And now "the science" suggests that you get more protection with the switchover.

Note the Moderna booster is half dose though. Pfizer is the full dose.

[MR DARK BRANDON]

Remote learning once a week sounds ok.

As a kid no it doesn’t

[Torie]

Well, it now seems that break through cases are are killing with ruthless efficiency. 28% of the the hospital admissions are break through cases in Michigan, as are 24% of the deaths. So now, the issue is whether I need to cancel our thanksgiving plans. One of the celebrants has not had a booster shot, and I don't know how long it has been since she had her jabs.

https://www.politico.com/news/2021/11/22/covid-surge-winter-523109

[gerritcole]

Well, it now seems that break through cases are are killing with ruthless efficiency. 28% of the the hospital admissions are break through cases in Michigan, as are 24% of the deaths. So now, the issue is whether I need to cancel our thanksgiving plans. One of the celebrants has not had a booster shot, and I don't know how long it has been since she had her jabs.

https://www.politico.com/news/2021/11/22/covid-surge-winter-523109

Lol

[JGibson]

Got Moderna boosted today.

[Inmate Trump]

Well, it now seems that break through cases are are killing with ruthless efficiency. 28% of the the hospital admissions are break through cases in Michigan, as are 24% of the deaths. So now, the issue is whether I need to cancel our thanksgiving plans. One of the celebrants has not had a booster shot, and I don't know how long it has been since she had her jabs.

https://www.politico.com/news/2021/11/22/covid-surge-winter-523109

Lol

Why are you lol’ing?

[Vaccinated Russian Bear]

https://twitter.com/EricTopol/status/1462875529044889601

[GeorgiaModerate]

Well, it now seems that break through cases are are killing with ruthless efficiency. 28% of the the hospital admissions are break through cases in Michigan, as are 24% of the deaths. So now, the issue is whether I need to cancel our thanksgiving plans. One of the celebrants has not had a booster shot, and I don't know how long it has been since she had her jabs.

https://www.politico.com/news/2021/11/22/covid-surge-winter-523109

No, don't worry.  You need to look at the base rate.  If a large fraction of the population is vaccinated, then a significant portion of the hopitalizations/deaths will be among those vaccinated -- even though the hosp./death rate within the vaccinated group is much lower than among the unvaccinated.  Here's a great visualization of this:

https://twitter.com/ClassyGentlema7/status/1462876631224270857

[pbrower2a]

I got my flu shot yesterday. I do not want to go to the hospital for the flu with COVID-19 patients putting me at risk.

(That's not as exciting as getting the booster, but I got my booster about two weeks ago, anyway.

Death to COVID-19! 

[AGA]

Yes, when I get booster 2 this coming February, I am going to switch over to Moderna. Pfizer seems to be an inferior product as to efficacy. And now "the science" suggests that you get more protection with the switchover.

Note the Moderna booster is half dose though. Pfizer is the full dose.

I read someone where that the Moderna booster still provides better protection than the Pfizer booster.

[Hammy]

Yes, when I get booster 2 this coming February, I am going to switch over to Moderna. Pfizer seems to be an inferior product as to efficacy. And now "the science" suggests that you get more protection with the switchover.

Note the Moderna booster is half dose though. Pfizer is the full dose.

Half dose of Moderna is still more potent than a full dose of Pfizer, given Pfizer's is 30% of Moderna.

[Calthrina950]

Yes, when I get booster 2 this coming February, I am going to switch over to Moderna. Pfizer seems to be an inferior product as to efficacy. And now "the science" suggests that you get more protection with the switchover.

Note the Moderna booster is half dose though. Pfizer is the full dose.

Half dose of Moderna is still more potent than a full dose of Pfizer, given Pfizer's is 30% of Moderna.

I continue to be baffled by why Pfizer has been so favored by our government, considering that Moderna is a more effective vaccine than theirs.

[GP270watch]

Yes, when I get booster 2 this coming February, I am going to switch over to Moderna. Pfizer seems to be an inferior product as to efficacy. And now "the science" suggests that you get more protection with the switchover.

Note the Moderna booster is half dose though. Pfizer is the full dose.

Half dose of Moderna is still more potent than a full dose of Pfizer, given Pfizer's is 30% of Moderna.

I continue to be baffled by why Pfizer has been so favored by our government, considering that Moderna is a more effective vaccine than theirs.

 Pfizer has less side effects and was first. It's a good vaccine. Pfizer is also an established company with an extensive manufacture and partner network vs Moderna which was essentially a biotech stock thats projects hundreds of billions in future revenue in their space with MRNA cures and vaccines, Covid-19 vaccine for Moderna is an amazing proof of concept for their tech but also a pain in the butt because they don't want to give up their IP.

[Hammy]

Well, it now seems that break through cases are are killing with ruthless efficiency. 28% of the the hospital admissions are break through cases in Michigan, as are 24% of the deaths. So now, the issue is whether I need to cancel our thanksgiving plans. One of the celebrants has not had a booster shot, and I don't know how long it has been since she had her jabs.

https://www.politico.com/news/2021/11/22/covid-surge-winter-523109

No, don't worry.  You need to look at the base rate.  If a large fraction of the population is vaccinated, then a significant portion of the hopitalizations/deaths will be among those vaccinated -- even though the hosp./death rate within the vaccinated group is much lower than among the unvaccinated.  Here's a great visualization of this:

https://twitter.com/ClassyGentlema7/status/1462876631224270857

Another factor here is that people who are most likely to significant breakthrough cases the more vulnerable populations in general--elderly an immunocompromised--also have the highest vaccination rates, which is inflating the numbers of breakthrough hospitalizations.

[Calthrina950]

Yes, when I get booster 2 this coming February, I am going to switch over to Moderna. Pfizer seems to be an inferior product as to efficacy. And now "the science" suggests that you get more protection with the switchover.

Note the Moderna booster is half dose though. Pfizer is the full dose.

Half dose of Moderna is still more potent than a full dose of Pfizer, given Pfizer's is 30% of Moderna.

I continue to be baffled by why Pfizer has been so favored by our government, considering that Moderna is a more effective vaccine than theirs.

 Pfizer has less side effects and was first. It's a good vaccine. Pfizer is also an established company with an extensive manufacture and partner network vs Moderna which was essentially a biotech stock thats projects hundreds of billions in future revenue in their space with MRNA cures and vaccines, Covid-19 vaccine for Moderna is an amazing proof of concept for their tech but also a pain in the butt because they don't want to give up their IP.

This is certainly illuminating. I'm not casting aspersions on the efficacy of Pfizer, but I do believe that Moderna is a more effective vaccine on balance. But this also further reinforces my point. Pfizer has the clout and connections to command government resources, and that explains why it has received preferential treatment.

[DINGO Joe]

As reported to the CDC, Covid deaths for 2021 have exceeded Covid deaths for 2020--of course Covid deaths were likely undercounted in 2020. 

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/covid19/index.htm


Overall deaths in 2020 increased by 533,000 with 385,000 deemed Covid related.  I'd guess deaths this year will increase about 25,000 over 2020 (+/- 25,000)  with Covid deaths at 425,000.  Probably still an undercount.

Of course, the worst month of the pandemic was January 2021 with 105,000.

[jamestroll]

Yes, when I get booster 2 this coming February, I am going to switch over to Moderna. Pfizer seems to be an inferior product as to efficacy. And now "the science" suggests that you get more protection with the switchover.

Note the Moderna booster is half dose though. Pfizer is the full dose.

Half dose of Moderna is still more potent than a full dose of Pfizer, given Pfizer's is 30% of Moderna.

My booster i choose moderna.

Pfizer was ny first and second

[Bandit3 the Worker]

The past few days, the U.S. has had a very slight drop in new cases. New cases are the lowest in nearly a week.

[Hammy]

Yes, when I get booster 2 this coming February, I am going to switch over to Moderna. Pfizer seems to be an inferior product as to efficacy. And now "the science" suggests that you get more protection with the switchover.

Note the Moderna booster is half dose though. Pfizer is the full dose.

Half dose of Moderna is still more potent than a full dose of Pfizer, given Pfizer's is 30% of Moderna.

My booster i choose moderna.

Pfizer was ny first and second

Did the side effects differ any? I'm due for mine in January.

[emailking]

Well my Moderna boster side effects were very different (a lot worse) than the other shots, which were also Moderna.

[Vaccinated Russian Bear]

Yes, when I get booster 2 this coming February, I am going to switch over to Moderna. Pfizer seems to be an inferior product as to efficacy. And now "the science" suggests that you get more protection with the switchover.

Note the Moderna booster is half dose though. Pfizer is the full dose.

Half dose of Moderna is still more potent than a full dose of Pfizer, given Pfizer's is 30% of Moderna.

I continue to be baffled by why Pfizer has been so favored by our government, considering that Moderna is a more effective vaccine than theirs.

 Pfizer has less side effects and was first. It's a good vaccine. Pfizer is also an established company with an extensive manufacture and partner network vs Moderna which was essentially a biotech stock thats projects hundreds of billions in future revenue in their space with MRNA cures and vaccines, Covid-19 vaccine for Moderna is an amazing proof of concept for their tech but also a pain in the butt because they don't want to give up their IP.

This is certainly illuminating. I'm not casting aspersions on the efficacy of Pfizer, but I do believe that Moderna is a more effective vaccine on balance. But this also further reinforces my point. Pfizer has the clout and connections to command government resources, and that explains why it has received preferential treatment.

What do you have in mind, when you say that Pfizer "received preferential treatment" from the Government?

Moreover, while Pfizer-induced immunity after 2 shots vanes faster than Moderna's, I haven't read anything that indicates that Pfizer's booster is worse (or better) than Moderna's. Anyone has a source?

[Calthrina950]

Yes, when I get booster 2 this coming February, I am going to switch over to Moderna. Pfizer seems to be an inferior product as to efficacy. And now "the science" suggests that you get more protection with the switchover.

Note the Moderna booster is half dose though. Pfizer is the full dose.

Half dose of Moderna is still more potent than a full dose of Pfizer, given Pfizer's is 30% of Moderna.

I continue to be baffled by why Pfizer has been so favored by our government, considering that Moderna is a more effective vaccine than theirs.

 Pfizer has less side effects and was first. It's a good vaccine. Pfizer is also an established company with an extensive manufacture and partner network vs Moderna which was essentially a biotech stock thats projects hundreds of billions in future revenue in their space with MRNA cures and vaccines, Covid-19 vaccine for Moderna is an amazing proof of concept for their tech but also a pain in the butt because they don't want to give up their IP.

This is certainly illuminating. I'm not casting aspersions on the efficacy of Pfizer, but I do believe that Moderna is a more effective vaccine on balance. But this also further reinforces my point. Pfizer has the clout and connections to command government resources, and that explains why it has received preferential treatment.

What do you have in mind, when you say that Pfizer "received preferential treatment" from the Government?

Moreover, while Pfizer-induced immunity after 2 shots vanes faster than Moderna's, I haven't read anything that indicates that Pfizer's booster is worse (or better) than Moderna's. Anyone has a source?

By "preferential treatment", I mean that Pfizer has been first in line for everything. They were the first to receive emergency authorization, the first to receive full approval, the first to receive authorization for those under 18, and the first to receive authorization for booster shots.

[Yeahsayyeah]

Maybe they just are the fastest with development, doing studies, and filing paperwork beause of, well...being an experienced agent in this field?

[compucomp]

Republicans are now starting to blame Biden for failing to end the pandemic. This is both nonsensical and hypocritical given that they are disproportionately vaccine resistant and fiercely opposed to any mitigation measure, but I'd expect to see this gain traction, simply because everything bad is blamed on the President.

Over eight hours last Thursday night and into Friday morning, Representative Kevin McCarthy of California hit on many issues as he spoke on the House floor in an unsuccessful effort to thwart House passage of President Biden’s social safety net and climate change bill. But among his most audacious assertions was that Mr. Biden was to blame for the country’s failure to quell the pandemic.

Mr. McCarthy used this line of attack even as members of his own Republican Party have spent months flouting mask ordinances and blocking the president’s vaccine mandates, and the party’s base has undermined vaccination drives while rallying around those who refuse the vaccine. Intensive care units and morgues have been strained to capacity by the unvaccinated, a demographic dominated by those who voted last year for President Donald J. Trump.

As of mid-September, 90 percent of adult Democrats had been vaccinated, compared with 58 percent of adult Republicans.

Yet Mr. McCarthy, the House Republican leader, pressed his point: “I took President Biden at his word; I took him at his word when he said he was going to get Covid under control,” he declared in the dead of night. “Unfortunately, more Americans have died this year than last year under Covid.”

As cases surge once again in some parts of the country, Republicans have hit on a new line of attack: The president has failed on a central campaign promise, to tame the pandemic that his predecessor systematically downplayed. Democrats are incredulous, dismissing the strategy as another strand of spaghetti thrown at the wall.