CDC Offers Update on the COVID-19 Virus and Vaccines

CDC Offers Update on the COVID-19 Virus and Vaccines

By: Jenny Manrique

Two years into the pandemic, COVID-19 cases have decreased dramatically and 95% of Americans have some immunity either for having been vaccinated or previously infected with the virus.

However experts from the Centers for Disease, Control and Prevention (CDC), warned that because it’s unpredictable to know when the next variant or the next pandemic is coming, vaccination remains the most important preventive measure for all age groups.

The panelists spoke in a briefing co-hosted by Ethnic Media Services and the CDC that looked at the state of the pandemic in the United States and globally.

John T. Brooks, MD, Senior Science Advisor, CDC Emergency COVID-19 Response:

“BA2 variant represents 35% of circulating variants nationally… There is no evidence that BA2 variant results in more severe disease, nor does it appear to be more likely to evade immune protection. But it does have increased transmission in comparison to the related BA1 variant that circulated in the US peaking during January of 2021.”

“We are monitoring potential increases in cases and transmission through the COVID-19 wastewater surveillance system… wastewater is a place where we can detect the presence of the RNA in urine or feces. We hope that the system will pick up a signal even before we’re aware that something’s going on in the community; we’ll detect outbreaks and clusters of infection.”

“We’re watching the signals in Western Europe and the UK and then also in parts of Asia. The situation in the US has an important difference from those: we have very high levels of immunity in this country, 95% of Americans have some evidence of either having been vaccinated or previously infected with COVID. We think that’s very high compared to some other places in the world.”

“Testing is the fundamental way that we monitor where disease is occurring and where we need to focus our efforts in prevention and treatment. Testing in the United States is free and it’s widely available.”

“We live in one world, and we’re only as safe as a plane right away. So it’s important that we protect everyone in our world community. Untreated COVID-19 infection is the source of new variants. People who are not vaccinated and become infected can become the source of new variants to emerge. These are good reasons to want to provide the vaccine to everyone possible.”

“This pandemic is not over and we have to be prepared to take care of ourselves and to take care of others. Should there be a resurgence? or should there be another pandemic coming after this one? History has shown us over and over this is not the last one. My message here is to be prepared for the future.”

Shannon Stokley, DrPH, Co-Lead of the Vaccine Task Force, CDC Emergency COVID-19 Response:

“We’ve given more than 559 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, and that’s three times the amount of vaccine that’s usually given in a flu season. A good majority of that has been mRNA vaccines that have been proven safe and effective at preventing complications from COVID-19, including severe disease, hospitalization, and death.”

“Currently there are multiple manufacturers that are conducting clinical trials to assess the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccine among children younger than five years of age. Once complete, those manufacturers must submit an application to the US Food and Drug Administration. The FDA will then review the data and if there’s good evidence of safety and effectiveness, they will authorize the vaccine under emergency use for children in this age group.”

“If you’re boosted, you are 21 times less likely to die from COVID-19. So vaccination remains the most effective and safest way to prevent COVID-19.”

“Over time you’ll have waning immunity and that is why we’ve been recommending a booster dose of vaccine. What we’re really concerned about there is preventing hospitalization and death. And these vaccines are very good at preventing these severe outcomes.”

“Now, there’s a recommendation to get COVID vaccine every year like you do with your flu vaccine. It’s really important that you get your flu vaccine so that you don’t get influenza and we are continuing to evaluate the data to determine if we will be needing an annual shot for COVID vaccine.”