Updated 29 Mar 2022: COVID-19: To Mask or not to Mask
Masks optional outdoors starting today 29 Mar 2022
Singapore will see its most significant easing of measures in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic from Tuesday (Mar 29). For two years, masks were the norm - indoors, outdoors, even during exercise.
Last week, however, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced the easing of a raft of measures in “a major step towards living with COVID-19”, but stopped short of a complete opening up. From tomorrow, people will be able to remove their masks when outdoors. Individuals can gather and dine-in at restaurants in groups of up to 10 people. More people will see their colleagues in the office, and live performances will return.
Places that are sheltered but with open access will generally be regarded as outdoor areas. These include HDB void decks, bus stops, open-air sheltered walkways and bridges, as well as parks, fields and nature trails. The 1m safe distancing rule will still be required in all mask-off environments.
Is It Time for Yet Another COVID Booster?
Will springtime be booster time -- again? The first COVID-19 booster shot is now in the rearview mirror for millions of Americans -- for the 28% who got it, at least -- but new data finds it’s less effective after about 4 months. The CDC has already recommended a second booster for immunocompromised people.
So, is the next logical step another booster for every other adult? The consensus among public health officials seems to be: Not so fast. At the White House COVID-19 briefing Wednesday, chief White House medical adviser Anthony Fauci, MD, focused on the question of the hour. Citing data, he said that ''a single booster shot continues to provide high-level protection against severe disease caused by Omicron" in people who are not immunocompromised.
Fauci pointed to CDC research that found vaccine effectiveness after two doses of mRNA vaccines -- either Moderna or Pfizer -- drops to 58% after 4-5 months. After a booster dose, the vaccine is 91% effective, at first, at preventing hospitalizations. But that drops to 78% at months 4 to 5. "Nonetheless, the level of 78 [%] is still a good protective area," Fauci said. "The future requirement for an additional boost, or a fourth shot for mRNA or a third shot for [Johnson & Johnson], is being very carefully monitored in real time," he said, adding that recommendations will be updated as needed.
Too early yet for second Covid-19 booster, says EU watchdog
Five coronavirus vaccines are approved for use in the EU: Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson and Novavax. PHOTO: AFP
It is too early to call for a second Covid-19 booster shot, Europe's medicines watchdog said on Thursday (March 17), despite a rapid spike in new infections caused by the rampant Omicron variant. Speaking at the European Medicines Agency's bi-weekly press conference, the EMA's vaccines strategy head added that scrapping coronavirus rules in many countries may have played a role in the current rise in cases. "We notice that infection rates are increasing again in some member states after the steady decrease we witnessed over the past few weeks," Dr Marco Cavaleri said.
The Amsterdam-based agency is "continuing to monitor the effectiveness of Covid-19 vaccines against the Omicron variant", Dr Cavaleri said. But "I want to reiterate there is not yet enough evidence... supporting a recommendation for a second booster shot in the general population".
The World Health Organisation on Wednesday voiced alarm at the rising Covid-19 infections globally, despite a drop in testing levels. After falling for weeks, reported Covid-19 cases rose globally by 8 per cent last week, with more than 11 million cases and over 43,000 new deaths registered, WHO said. More than two years into the pandemic, which has officially claimed more than six million deaths - with the true figure believed to be several times as high - the resurgence in cases can mainly be blamed on the spread of infectious sub-lineages of the Omicron variant, particularly BA.2, Dr Cavaleri said.
Israel broadens eligibility for fourth shot of COVID vaccine
A nurse prepares a fourth dose of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine as part of a trial in Israel, at Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, Israel December 27, 2021. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun
Israel on Wednesday broadened eligibility for a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine to include adults under 60 with underlying medical conditions, their caretakers, and others over 18 at significant risk of exposure to the coronavirus.
An official statement said the Health Ministry's director-general had approved the measure, which fell short of a recommendation on Tuesday by a ministry panel of experts to offer the so-called second booster shot to all adults. No reason was given in the statement as to why a more restricted roll-out of a fourth dose of the Pfizer (PFE.N)/BioNTech (22UAy.DE) to people under 60 was approved.
Earlier this month, as the Omicron variant swept the country, Israel began offering the fourth jab to people over 60, on condition that at least five months have passed since they received the third or recovered from COVID-19 infection. Those newly eligible for the fourth shot can receive it if at least four months have passed since their third dose.
No need for 2nd COVID booster in Singapore just yet
A man looks at signs outside a coronavirus vaccination centre set up at a community centre in Singapore. (AFP via Getty Images file photo)
Singapore residents will not need to take a second COVID-19 booster shot – or a fourth vaccine dose – just yet, said a senior Ministry of Health (MOH) official on Wednesday (16 February). MOH's Director of Medical Services Kenneth Mak stressed that authorities are continuing to monitor the evidence for protection from vaccines, for both primary doses as well as boosters. "But at this point in time, we have looked at the evidence, we don't think that (a second booster) is necessary just yet," he added in response to media queries at a virtual press conference chaired by the multi-ministry taskforce.
A new study released by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week showed that the efficacy of third doses of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines wanes substantially by the fourth month. Authorities are still in the midst of encouraging more people to complete their booster jabs, said Associate Professor Mak, and "a little bit more time" will be needed before the taskforce considers whether to offer another booster to the public.
As of Monday, 90 per cent of Singapore's total population have completed their full COVID-19 vaccine regimen while 64 per cent have received their booster shots. With the possibility of a new COVID-19 variant emerging, there may be a need to assess the protection accorded by current vaccination processes here, he added. "But it's premature to posit that we do need these boosters and when we require them. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and advise accordingly," Prof Mak reiterated.
No plans to require second Covid-19 booster shot in Singapore
The Health Ministry recommends a booster dose about five months after the primary course of the Pfizer or Moderna mRNA vaccines. PHOTO: ST FILE
Some countries are moving towards offering their citizens a second booster shoot, or a fourth dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, but there are no plans to do so here yet, said Singapore's director of medical services Kenneth Mak. The authorities have looked at the available evidence on the protection offered by vaccines - including the initial two-dose regime and subsequent booster shots - as well as the rate of infection among those who are vaccinated, he told a press conference on Wednesday (Feb 16).
Associate Professor Mak said it is still premature to speculate about whether and when additional booster shots will be needed. He added that additional booster doses are not considered necessary at this time. "We still are in the midst of encouraging more people to complete the booster vaccinations as they become eligible, and it will take a little bit more time before we come to a need to review that decision on whether to offer our public another booster," he said. "At this time, we are also monitoring whether or not there will be an emergence of a new variant… These variants, based on their inherent characteristics, may require us to augment and enhance the protection that we currently have from vaccines and booster vaccination jabs."
As of Monday (Feb 14), people in Singapore are no longer considered fully vaccinated if they do not get a booster shot 270 days or nine months after the second dose of their primary vaccination course. The Health Ministry recommends a booster dose about five months after the primary course of the Pfizer or Moderna mRNA vaccines. Those who have completed the three-dose course of the Sinovac-CoronaVac and Sinopharm vaccines are encouraged to get a booster shot after three months, due to lower antibody levels generated by these vaccines.
Pfizer-BioNTech seek U.S. OK for second COVID booster for 65 and older
A healthcare worker prepares a Pfizer coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination in Los Angeles, California, U.S., January 7, 2021. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo
Pfizer Inc (PFE.N) and its German partner BioNTech SE (22UAy.DE) on Tuesday filed an application with U.S. regulators seeking emergency use authorization for a second booster shot of their COVID-19 vaccine for people aged 65 and older. The submission to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration includes data collected in Israel, where a second booster is authorized for many people over age 18.
An analysis of data from over a million adults 60 years and older showed rates of confirmed infections and severe illness were lower among individuals who received an additional booster dose of the vaccine administered at least four months after an initial booster (third) dose compared to those who received only one booster dose, the companies said. The news was first reported by the Washington Post earlier on Tuesday.
U.S. health officials including top infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci have raised the prospects of a fourth shot many times, suggesting one might be needed for older people and to prepare for the possibility of another surge of cases. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data has shown that vaccine efficacy wanes over time and that third shots help restore that efficacy, but it has not released comprehensive data based on age or health status. Pfizer Chief Executive Albert Bourla has several times in the past week told reporters that a fourth dose of the vaccine will be needed to offset waning protection gained with the third shot. He told the Washington Post last week that data suggests a fourth dose dramatically improves protection against the dominant Omicron variant of the virus compared to the third dose after three-to-six months.
Moderna asks FDA to authorize second booster shot for all adults
FDA is set to convene its advisory committee of vaccine experts next month to deliberate how to approach Covid booster shots
Moderna on Thursday requested the Food and Drug Administration grant emergency use authorization to a fourth dose of its Covid-19 vaccine for adults who already received a booster dose of any approved or authorized shot. The company said its request includes all adults to give flexibility to CDC and health care providers so they can “determine the appropriate use of an additional booster dose.”
Immunocompromised people are already authorized to receive fourth doses of messenger RNA vaccines. Pfizer and BioNTech asked FDA Tuesday to authorize a second booster for adults 65 and older. The request is partially based on data recently generated in the United States and Israel after the more transmissible Omicron variant emerged, according to Moderna. The company is still running clinical trials of Omicron-specific boosters.
FDA is set to convene its advisory committee of vaccine experts next month to deliberate how to approach Covid booster shots moving forward, including whether and when they’ll be needed and for which populations.
Pfizer or Moderna booster - which is more effective?
The Health Ministry recently did a study on the relative effectiveness of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines as booster shots. PHOTO: AFP
Getting a booster shot with either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna Covid-19 vaccine further reduces the risk of infection by over 60 per cent. Those who had taken a Moderna booster shot after two doses of Pfizer-BioNTech saw a further reduction in infection risk by 72 per cent, while those who took a Pfizer booster shot after two jabs of the Pfizer vaccine saw a 62 per cent reduction.
The statistics was shared by Health Minister Ong Ye Kung on Monday evening (Nov 15) at a virtual press conference held by the multi-ministry task force on Covid-19. He said that the Health Ministry had recently done a study on the relative effectiveness of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines as booster shots in terms of reducing infection risk, and compared the two combinations.
One possible combination is three consecutive shots of the Pfizer vaccine (two regular jabs and one booster) while the other combination is a Moderna shot after two regular doses of the Pfizer jab. Mr Ong noted that results for other combinations, such as a Pfizer shot after two doses of Moderna jabs, do not have large sample sizes and hence may not yield meaningful statistics.
Third dose of Pfizer vaccine 'really lifts the level of immunity', immunologist says
An immunologist says those who qualify should get a Covid-19 booster shot because it seems that the third dose of Pfizer really lifts people's level of immunity. The government yesterday announced that booster shots of the Pfizer vaccine would be available in a fortnight from 29 November for people who got their second dose more than six months ago.
Ultimately the booster shots will be available to everyone, though those initially seeking a third shot will be the over-65s, border workers and medical staff - the first cohort to be vaccinated earlier this year. Immunologist Graham Le Gros, who is director at the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, said booster shots had great potential to change the game for the better.
"It seems that with this Pfizer vaccine, the third dose really lifts the level of immunity way beyond and it really gives the person who receives it a very strong immune response, very protective and it really resists against that waning immunity we've seen from overseas." He said some people, such as those on immune suppressive drugs or those who are older, may not have had such a good immune response to two shots of the vaccine and the third dose would bring their immune response up to a good level so they stay protected.
Thoughts on third shot: Boosters will likely be useful
When a person is fully vaccinated with the recommended number of doses, a certain level of protection is achieved against infection, hospitalisation, and death. That level of protection varies with time, with vaccine and by variant.
Early data from Israel demonstrated the high rates of protection afforded by the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccine, Comirnaty. By July, the Israeli data showed declining protection, with people who were vaccinated earliest in the pandemic having less protection than those who were vaccinated later, particularly the elderly.
In other data from the Middle East, inactivated vaccines protected less than mRNA vaccines, and less well against the Beta variant. A number of countries began first discussing and then implementing policies to vaccinate either vulnerable groups, or their entire eligible populations, with booster doses. The early experience of these countries has shown that adding a booster dose results in better protection than staying with just the original full vaccination schedule.
Pfizer Shot Generated Most Antibodies in Comparative Study
Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE’s Covid-19 shot yielded the strongest immune response among four vaccines tested in a study, which found people getting Sinopharm’s inoculation may be particularly susceptible to a breakthrough infection.
Levels of protective antibodies to the part of the coronavirus that SARS-CoV-2 uses to infect human cells varied widely across each of the four vaccine groups. “Relatively low” antibody concentrations were stimulated by the Sinopharm and Sputnik V vaccines, intermediate levels for the AstraZeneca Plc vaccine, and the highest values for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, a study in the journal Cell Host and Microbe showed.
The reasons for the differences in immune responses between vaccine types are the subject of intense research. They are likely to include factors such as the amount of active ingredient in each dose and the interval between getting the first and second shots, said the authors from Stanford University, the Onom Foundation, and the National Center for Zoonotic Diseases in Ulaanbaatar in the paper published Thursday.
COVID-19 Singapore abandoning ‘Zero COVID’ strategy
Singapore has one of the world's highest vaccination rates at 82%, yet cases of COVID-19 are skyrocketing from just double digits in August to well over 3,000 cases a day now. Infectious disease physician Dale Fisher of the National University Hospital says Singapore is letting nature take its course.
Singapore's health experts say exiting the pandemic will mean a carefully calibrated lifting of lids and laying them back on again as needed. Fisher says it may take another year or two. Meanwhile, he says don't expect a Singapore version of the U.K.'s Freedom Day, where almost all COVID-19 restrictions were lifted.
related:
Sinovac included in Singapore's national Covid-19 vaccination programme
Under the national vaccination programme, the Sinovac vaccine will be administered for free. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
This follows the Health Sciences Authority's (HSA) interim authorisation of the vaccine under the Pandemic Special Access Route (PSAR).
Three doses of the Sinovac vaccine will be required for a person to be considered fully vaccinated, said the Ministry of Health (MOH).
Unvaccinated vs vaccinated Covid-19 deaths in Singapore
Out of 5.5 million people, 500,000 children below the age of 12 are ineligible to receive the vaccine yet. But while they may be carriers of the virus, they are exceedingly unlikely to end up in hospital or suffer serious adverse effects. Among those over the age of 12, 94 per cent have already received their vaccines. Nevertheless, the remaining six per cent translates to a whopping 300,000 people — still an enormous group, which is highly vulnerable to COVID-19.
According to the Ministry of Health (MOH), individuals from among the six per cent of those who are partially or completely unvaccinated comprised 67.5 per cent of deaths in the first three weeks of October.
What’s really sad is that out of 169 deaths reported in that period, 30 were of those who received one dose of the vaccine. This suggests that they got scared some time before they ended up contracting the disease and went to receive their shot, but did not survive long enough to complete the two-dose cycle and develop necessary immunity.
Why vaccinated people dying from Covid-19 doesn't mean the vaccines are ineffective
Former US Secretary of State Colin Powell died on Monday of Covid-19 complications. His family announced that he was fully vaccinated. He was 84 years old, and had multiple myeloma, a blood cancer.
Health officials worry that anti-vaccine activists will seize upon Powell's death to make the claim that vaccines don't work. If you can still die after being vaccinated for Covid-19, what's the point of getting the vaccine?
What's the answer to that question? I discussed it with CNN Medical Analyst Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and professor of health policy and management at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health. She is also author of a new book, "Lifelines: A Doctor's Journey in the Fight for Public Health."
14 suspected adverse events linked to Covid-19 vaccine boosters out of over 230,000 shots: HSA
There were 14 reports of suspected adverse events out of more than 230,000 booster jabs of Covid-19 vaccines given out since the national booster vaccination programme was rolled out on Sept 15. The rate of suspected adverse events linked to the booster shots is 0.006 per cent, said the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) on Friday (Oct 15).
These reports described similar adverse events associated with the first two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty or Moderna mRNA vaccines, including rash, swelling of the eyelids, face and lips, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, fever, generalised weakness and dizziness.
There were two reports of serious adverse events (0.0008 per cent of administered doses), describing blood clots in the veins of the legs and anaphylaxis, a severe life-threatening allergic reaction.
To Boost or not to Boost, Not a simple question
How long does the protective immunity provided by the COVID-19 vaccines last? Do we need to “boost” immunity for continued protection? Recently, these questions have thrown science and politics into a contentious situation. The Biden administration has strongly recommended booster shots for COVID-19 beginning this month, with the caveat that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would have to approve. As a result, significant public and political pressure has been put on the FDA to fast-track approval of the booster. The FDA traditionally proceeds slowly and cautiously with insistence on rigorous supporting data and usually does not respond well to pressure.
This conflict recently led to the resignation of the FDA’s director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), Dr. Marion Gruber, and her deputy director, Dr. Philip Krause. Both are capable scientists with years of experience evaluating vaccines.
Unfortunately, the Biden administration appears not to have adhered to its plan to follow the science when making the recommendation for vaccine boosters. If vaccine-induced immunity is indeed waning, it would be prudent to ready the supply chain to administer millions of booster shots. However, if robust immunity remains sufficient to protect from severe disease, then this rush to boost wastes valuable resources and compromises the goal of ending the pandemic. This decision requires rigorous scientific evidence that protection afforded by the vaccine is indeed waning.
The case for, and against, COVID-19 vaccine boosters
The US government aims to begin offering COVID-19 vaccine booster shots widely next week to Americans age 16 and up. A panel of outside advisers to the Food and Drug Administration voted against such broad coverage on Friday but backed a shot for people 65 and older, which the agency may or may not follow.
President Joe Biden's administration faces criticism within the scientific community over whether the additional shots are needed for the general population.
WHAT DO THE DATA SAY ABOUT THE NEED FOR BOOSTERS:
- Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech, as well as rival vaccine maker Moderna have each presented analyses of clinical trial data showing that the effectiveness of their shots, initially estimated at more than 90 per cent against symptomatic COVID-19 infection, wanes over time.
- As a result, they say, people who were vaccinated earlier on in the pandemic are now more vulnerable to so-called breakthrough infections, particularly in the face of the fast-spreading Delta variant of coronavirus. Booster doses help restore the waning levels of antibodies produced by the original inoculation, the drugmakers have said.
- Data from Pfizer's clinical trial of 30,000 people suggest that the vaccine's efficacy diminished by around 6 per cent every two months after the second dose. In a second trial testing booster shots in 300 participants, a third dose generated a better immune response than the second, according to Pfizer.
- Moderna this week said it found higher rates of breakthrough infection among participants in its clinical trial who received its two-dose vaccine roughly 13 months ago compared with those vaccinated roughly eight months ago. The study period was from July and August, when the highly-contagious Delta variant was the predominant strain.
The science behind Covid-19 vaccine boosters: Do we really need an extra shot?
It was only earlier this year that "Have you been vaccinated?" became the standard greeting in many countries. Now, that is set to be taken over by: "Have you got your booster shot?"
Some countries, including Singapore, Israel, Germany and France, have started administering an additional dose of a Covid-19 vaccine to the elderly and the immunocompromised, as studies show waning immunity against the coronavirus over time after the initial shots.
The move has sparked debate over whether the boosters are truly necessary, and if doing so is ethical and equitable.
Moderna vs Pfizer - Both knockouts, but one seems to have the edge
Pfizer-BioNTech (left) and Moderna Covid-19 doses ready for patients at a pharmacy on March 8, 2021. In a half-dozen studies published over the past few weeks, Moderna’s vaccine appeared to be more protective over the long term than the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine
It was a constant refrain from federal health officials after the coronavirus vaccines were authorised: These shots are all equally effective. That has turned out not to be true. Roughly 221 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine have been dispensed thus far in the United States, compared with about 150 million doses of Moderna’s vaccine. In a half-dozen studies published over the past few weeks, Moderna’s vaccine appeared to be more protective than the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in the months after immunisation.
The latest such study, published on Wednesday (Sept 22) in The New England Journal of Medicine, evaluated the real-world effectiveness of the vaccines at preventing symptomatic illness in about 5,000 health care workers in 25 states. The study found that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine had an effectiveness of 88.8 per cent, compared with Moderna’s 96.3 per cent. Research published on Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that the efficacy of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine against hospitalisation fell from 91 per cent to 77 per cent after a four-month period following the second shot. The Moderna vaccine showed no decline over the same period. If the efficacy gap continues to widen, it may have implications for the debate on booster shots. Federal agencies this week are evaluating the need for a third shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for some high-risk groups, including older adults.
Scientists who were initially sceptical of the reported differences between the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines have slowly become convinced that the disparity is small but real. “Our baseline assumption is that the mRNA vaccines are functioning similarly, but then you start to see a separation,” said Dr Natalie Dean, a biostatistician at Emory University in Atlanta. “It’s not a huge difference, but at least it’s consistent.”
Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla predicts normal life will return within a year and adds we may need annual Covid shots
There will be a return to normal life within a year, Pfizer CEO and Chairman Albert Bourla said on Sunday, adding that it’s likely annual Covid vaccination shots will be necessary. “Within a year I think we will be able to come back to normal life,” Bourla said in an interview on ABC’s “This Week.”
Returning to normal life will have caveats, he said: “I don’t think that this means that the variants will not continue coming, and I don’t think that this means that we should be able to live our lives without having vaccinations,” Bourla said. “But that, again, remains to be seen.” Bourla’s prediction about when normal life will resume is in keeping with that of Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel. “As of today, in a year, I assume,” Bancel told the Swiss newspaper Neue Zuercher Zeitung, according to Reuters on Thursday, when asked for his estimate of a return to normal life.
In order to make that happen, Pfizer’s Bourla suggested it is likely annual coronavirus vaccine shots will be needed. “The most likely scenario for me is that, because the virus is spread all over the world, that it will continue seeing new variants that are coming out,” Bourla said. “Also we will have vaccines that they will last at least a year, and I think the most likely scenario is annual vaccination, but we don’t know really, we need to wait and see the data.”
COVID-19 vaccine boosters could mean billions for drugmakers
In this March 2021 photo provided by Pfizer, a technician works on a line for packaging preparation for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at the company's facility in Puurs, Belgium. Billions more in profits are at stake for some vaccine makers as the U.S. moves toward dispensing COVID-19 booster shots to shore up Americans' protection against the virus. (Pfizer via AP)
Officials described the move as a first step. Boosters will likely be offered even more broadly in the coming weeks or months, including boosters of vaccines made by Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. That, plus continued growth in initial vaccinations, could mean a huge gain in sales and profits for Pfizer and Moderna in particular. “The opportunity quite frankly is reflective of the billions of people around the world who would need a vaccination and a boost,” Jefferies analyst Michael Yee said.
Wall Street is taking notice. The average forecast among analysts for Moderna’s 2022 revenue has jumped 35% since President Joe Biden laid out his booster plan in mid-August. Most of the vaccinations so far in the U.S. have come from Pfizer, which developed its shot with Germany’s BioNTech, and Moderna. They have inoculated about 99 million and 68 million people, respectively. Johnson & Johnson is third with about 14 million people. No one knows yet how many people will get the extra shots. But Morningstar analyst Karen Andersen expects boosters alone to bring in about $26 billion in global sales next year for Pfizer and BioNTech and around $14 billion for Moderna if they are endorsed for nearly all Americans.
Moderna Covid-19 vaccine edges Pfizer in new US research
The Moderna vaccine was 93 per cent effective against hospitalisation, Pfizer was 88 per cent effective, and J&J was 68 per cent effective. PHOTO: REUTERS
A new study released by the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Friday (Sept 17) is the latest to suggest the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine confers better long-term protection against hospitalisation than Pfizer.
CDC researchers conducted an analysis of nearly 3,689 adults who were hospitalized with severe Covid-19 from March 11 to Aug 15, 2021 - a period that precedes and includes the dominance of the Delta variant.
Overall, 12.9 per cent were fully vaccinated with the Moderna vaccine, 20 per cent were vaccinated with Pfizer-BioNTech, and 3.1 per cent were vaccinated with Johnson & Johnson.
80% immunity from Pfizer vaccine lost in 6 months
COVID-19 antibodies generated by the Pfizer vaccine dipped by more than 80% six months after the second dose, a study conducted in the United States has found. The research, led by Case Western Reserve University and Brown University, examined the blood samples of 120 nursing home residents and 92 healthcare workers, reports say. Here are more details on this.
The results were the same in seniors, with a median age of 76, and caregivers, with a median age of 48, according to the researchers. The study has been posted on the pre-print server medRxiv but is yet to be published. In fact, seniors who had not previously contracted COVID-19 had substantially reduced antibodies within two weeks of receiving the second dose, researchers reported. Six months after the vaccination, the blood of 70% of the nursing home residents showed "very poor ability to neutralize the coronavirus infection in laboratory experiments," said David Canaday, a professor at the Case Western Reserve University. Canaday added these findings support the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) recommendation for booster shots, especially for the elderly.
Pfizer's was one of the first vaccines to be approved in the US. It uses mRNA-based technology, meaning it gives your cells instructions to make the coronavirus's spike protein, teaching your immune system to protect you if the virus affects you. Earlier, company CEO Albert Bourla had said the efficacy of Pfizer's vaccine declines to about 84%, four-six months after the second dose. The study has further highlighted the need to give out booster shots, especially to vulnerable populations. The US is expected to start administering COVID-19 booster shots this month. That campaign will start with the Pfizer vaccine from September 20, according to top officials. Israel has already started giving out booster shots while several other countries are planning to do so.
Moderna says COVID-19 vaccine protection wanes, makes case for booster
New data from Moderna's large COVID-19 vaccine trial shows that the protection it offers wanes over time, supporting the case for booster doses, the company said in a news release on Wednesday (Sep 15).
"This is only one estimate, but we do believe this means as you look toward the fall and winter, at minimum we expect the estimated impact of waning immunity would be 600,000 additional cases of COVID-19," Moderna President Stephen Hoge said on a conference call with investors. Hoge did not project how many of the cases would be severe, but said some would require hospitalisation.
The data stands in stark contrast with data from several recent studies that suggested Moderna's vaccine protection lasts longer than a similar shot from Pfizer and German partner BioNTech. Experts said the difference is likely due to Moderna's higher dose of messenger RNA (mRNA) and the slightly longer interval between the first and second shots. Both vaccines proved to be exceedingly effective at preventing illness in their large Phase III studies.
Moderna Covid-19 vaccine edges Pfizer in new US research
The Moderna vaccine was 93 per cent effective against hospitalisation, Pfizer was 88 per cent effective, and J&J was 68 per cent effective. PHOTO: REUTERS
A new study released by the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Friday (Sept 17) is the latest to suggest the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine confers better long-term protection against hospitalisation than Pfizer.
CDC researchers conducted an analysis of nearly 3,689 adults who were hospitalized with severe Covid-19 from March 11 to Aug 15, 2021 - a period that precedes and includes the dominance of the Delta variant.
Overall, 12.9 per cent were fully vaccinated with the Moderna vaccine, 20 per cent were vaccinated with Pfizer-BioNTech, and 3.1 per cent were vaccinated with Johnson & Johnson.
Vaccine Protection Is Fading, But Vaccines Still Work
It seems like not a day goes by without a new Covid-19 study to spark a bit of anxiety: Moderna Makes Twice as Many Antibodies as Pfizer, Study Says; Previous Covid Prevents Delta Infection Better Than Pfizer Shot; South African Scientists Say New Variant May Have 'Increased Transmissibility.' Despite the flood of information, humanity is still struggling to answer countless Covid-related questions: Are breakthrough cases now the norm? Do I need a booster shot? Are my antibodies waning?
Whether you Google these questions, or phone your mother to see what she thinks, the answers you receive are bound to be at best varied and at worst contradictory or even wrong. "A year and a half into the pandemic, Americans are more confused than ever about the risks they face, and that goes for experts and lay people alike," writes Faye Flam in her latest column.
So let's get back to basics and begin with a simple fact: Vaccine protection is fading. But like a good pair of jeans that seem to fit better over time, this is a natural development. Vaccines still work! And your jeans still look great, even with that mustard stain! Those who got the jab earlier this year still have incredibly good protection against this virus, and even better protection against severe disease and death.
How Many Shots Do You Really Need Against Covid?
How many shots does it take to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19?
Like so many things about this pandemic, the answer isn’t simple. Full vaccination could require one, two or even three doses, depending on where you are in the world, which vaccine you got and whether you’ve already had the virus.
Less than two weeks before a proposed rollout of booster shots, the U.S. is enmeshed in a debate over whether an extra dose is really necessary for most people. White House chief medical adviser Anthony Fauci said last week that if the immune boost observed in a recent study with the Pfizer Inc.-BioNTech SE vaccine in Israel is shown to last, “you’re going to have very likely a three-dose regimen being the routine.” But that’s by no means the consensus. Other public-health experts have put on the brakes, saying that politics might be getting ahead of the process.
Europe has taken a more nuanced approach. The U.K. and European Union health regulators have said additional doses should be reserved for those who need them most — cancer and organ-transplant patients, for example, as well as the very old and frail — and that the focus should be on getting more people fully vaccinated instead of giving boosters to healthy people who’ve already had their shots.
COVID: EU regulator weighs benefits of booster jabs
Experts are considering whether a third dose of mRNA vaccine to be given six months after the second jab meaningfully improves immunity for healthy adults
The European Union's drug regulator announced on Monday that it was conducting an "accelerated" study into the possible need for a booster shot of the BioNTech-Pfizer jab. It comes less than a week after the European Medicines Agency (EMA) said it saw no reason for a third dose of COVID-19 vaccines.
The EMA said it expects the results of its study to be ready "within the next few weeks." About 300 adults are participating in the study, all of whom are healthy adults who received their second dose of the vaccine about six months ago. On Friday, vaccine maker Moderna had applied to the EMA to approve a third dose of its shot, a move Pfizer has already made.
The EMA is conducting a separate study using a third shot of both the BioNTech-Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to see if it increases antibody counts among the immunocompromised and very elderly. Announcing the study, the EMA stressed that national health agencies of each individual EU member country may decide on their own to recommend a third dose.
Why doubts are growing over a widespread Covid booster jab campaign
Long-lasting immunity from hospitalisation and a lack of variant-specific vaccines mean any new programme will be tightly targeted. By the end of this week Britain’s hotly-anticipated plan to roll-out booster Covid jabs could be ready - or consigned to the rubbish bin.
A little-known, but crucial, clinical trial being run by the National Institute for Health Research and spearheaded by University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is due to report its initial findings. This will determine whether the Government's much-hyped Covid booster programme goes ahead, and what vaccines it should use.
The vaccine candidates being tested as potential boosters are Oxford/AstraZeneca, Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, Novavax, Valneva, Janssen and Curevac. Once the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has taken a look at the data - rumoured to be this week.
No need for COVID booster jabs for now - WHO
Current data does not indicate that COVID-19 booster shots are needed, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday, adding that the most vulnerable people worldwide should be fully vaccinated before high-income countries deploy a top-up.
The comments came just before the U.S. government said it planned to make the booster shots widely available to all Americans starting on Sept. 20 as infections from the Delta variant of the coronavirus rise.
WHO chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan, asked about the need for boosters to increase protection against the disease, told a Geneva news conference: "We believe clearly that the data today does not indicate that boosters are needed." Further research was needed, she added.
No need for booster shots, some experts say; Florida's DeSantis threatens fines for requiring vaccinations
COVID-19 vaccine booster shots may be available to all fully vaccinated Americans in a week, but an expert review by international scientists – including some at the World Health Organization and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration – says we may not need them.
The review, published Monday in The Lancet, found vaccines remain highly effective against severe disease, including from the delta variant and other main variants. "Currently available studies do not provide credible evidence of substantially declining protection against severe disease, which is the primary goal of vaccination," said lead author Dr. Ana-Maria Henao-Restrepo, medical officer for vaccine research at WHO.
WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said last week that rich countries with large supplies of vaccines should refrain from offering booster shots through the end of the year and make the doses available for poorer countries.
Scientists say COVID-19 booster shots aren't needed yet—here's why
The past week has been a wild ride for fully vaccinated Americans seeking clarity on whether they will need COVID-19 booster shots—either now or in the future, particularly as more contagious variants emerge. On July 8, Pfizer and BioNTech announced they planned to seek emergency authorization for a booster dose of their vaccine, saying that their data shows their vaccine’s efficacy is waning and that a booster “may be needed within six to 12 months after full vaccination.” Pfizer representatives later met with U.S. officials to press their case for emergency authorization of a third dose.
U.S. regulators, however, have pushed back on Pfizer’s claims. In a joint statement, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that Americans who have been fully vaccinated “do not need a booster shot at this time,” emphasizing that the vaccines remain highly effective against severe disease and death. A spokesperson from the Department of Health and Human Services tells National Geographic that regulators are taking all data into consideration—including those from research labs, clinical trials, and pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer. “We appreciate the information they shared, and officials continue to engage in a science-based rigorous process to consider whether, when, or for whom a booster might be necessary.”
In fact, contrary to Pfizer’s study, new laboratory data has emerged suggesting that the Pfizer vaccine offers protection that could last for years. So what exactly is going on? Here’s a look at what the data shows about how long immunity lasts among the fully vaccinated—and what scientists want to know before they recommend giving anyone another dose.
COVID-19 vaccine boosters not widely needed, say scientists
Additional COVID-19 vaccine booster shots are not needed for the general population, a group of international scientists has said in a new report in a medical journal. The report, published in The Lancet on Monday, concluded that even with the threat of the more contagious Delta variant, “booster doses for the general population are not appropriate at this stage in the pandemic.”
“Any decisions about the need for boosting or timing of boosting should be based on careful analyses of adequately controlled clinical or epidemiological data, or both, indicating a persistent and meaningful reduction in severe disease,” the scientists wrote. The scientists said more evidence was needed to justify boosters, and that vaccines remain highly effective against severe symptoms of COVID-19, across all the main virus variants including Delta.
“Taken as a whole, the currently available studies do not provide credible evidence of substantially declining protection against severe disease, which is the primary goal of vaccination,” said lead author Ana-Maria Henao-Restrepo, of the WHO. She said vaccine doses should be prioritised to people around the world still waiting for a jab. “If vaccines are deployed where they would do the most good, they could hasten the end of the pandemic by inhibiting further evolution of variants,” she added.
No need for Covid-19 vaccine booster shots in most people yet, scientists find
An elderly patient receives a booster shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in Paris on Monday AFP
Covid-19 vaccines work so well that most people do not yet need another jab, an all-star panel of scientists from around the world said in a review that is likely to fuel the debate over whether to use booster shots.
Governments would be better served to focus on immunising the unvaccinated and to wait for more data on which boosters, and at what doses, would be most effective, the authors, who included two prominent US Food and Drug Administration experts, argued in the medical journal The Lancet. They based their assessment on a wide range of real-world observational studies as well as data from clinical trials before the vaccines were approved. “None of the studies has provided credible evidence of substantially declining protection against severe disease,” the authors wrote. There could also be additional side-effect risks if boosters are introduced too soon or too broadly, they said.
The review comes as most countries with ample vaccine supplies debate whether to allocate doses for booster shots to prop up immunity and potentially help stop the spread of the more infectious delta variant. The United States plans to roll out booster shots starting September 20, though the plan still needs sign-off from the FDA and the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
Useful protection or not warranted? Third Covid-19 jab debate rages
Should a third dose of Covid-19 vaccine be recommended for the general population?
Some say it is vital to boosting immunity as the Delta variant spreads, while others say precious vaccines should go to countries - mostly in the Global South - where most people have not even had their first jab.
France was among the first countries to start distributing third jabs to the elderly and people with compromised immune systems, among others.
3rd COVID-19 Vaccine Available To Immunocompromised HoCo People
For the general population, booster shots have not yet been authorized by the Food and Drug Administration but will be recommended months after residents received their second dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines
Third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine designated for immunocompromised individuals now are available in Howard County. People with moderately to severely compromised immune systems are currently eligible for a third shot at this time and can find a clinic at vaccine.howardcountymd.gov. For the general population, booster shots have not yet been authorized by the Food and Drug Administration but will be recommended months after residents received their second dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines.
"We know that for many of our older adults and seniors, who were some of the first to receive their vaccines, are feeling anxious," Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said. "We anticipate that booster shots will begin to be available by the end of September or early October, but we are waiting for the final approval from the FDA. Howard County has led the state on our vaccination efforts throughout this year and we have the infrastructure in place to handle third doses for immunocompromised residents and booster shots for the general population throughout this fall and winter."
Howard County happens to be the first Maryland jurisdiction to reach 70 percent of all residents fully vaccinated. Additionally, 83 percent of eligible residents age 12 years and older are fully vaccinated, and 88 percent of eligible residents have received at least one dose.
Will I be considered 'unvaccinated' if I do not take booster shot for Covid-19 jab?
The strength of vaccine protection will come down as antibodies wane several months after the vaccination, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY
With the roll-out of Covid-19 vaccine booster shots expected to start this month, The Straits Times tackles key questions about the programme, including whether someone will be considered "unvaccinated" if they do not get the booster shots:
- Why is there a need for booster shots?
- Why are healthcare workers not the first group to receive booster shots?
- Will the rest of the population need to take booster shots?
- Will those who have taken two doses of the Covid-19 vaccines still be considered fully vaccinated if they do not take the booster shots?
They will still be considered fully vaccinated, said Mr Ong. Singapore is taking a pre-emptive move before antibodies wane further, even as ICU cases and the number of deaths still show that seniors are well protected against getting very ill, should they be infected, he said.
My Experience with the Third COVID-19 Vaccine Dose and Rheumatoid Arthritis
I was pleasantly surprised when the third dose became available and felt relieved when I received the dose with no unforeseen complications
In the week following my third dose, the main side effects (all of which were mild to moderate) included tiredness and a sore arm. They were more similar to my side effects after the first Pfizer vaccine than the second.
I knew that many other patients were nervous or fearful about vaccines, so I made a fun educational video about my experience getting the third dose. I was happy to answer other people’s questions and bring awareness to the existence of a third dose. I was surprised how many folks hadn’t yet heard that a third vaccine dose was recommended for immunocompromised people.
Now that it’s been over 2 weeks since my third dose, I know that I’ve likely mounted the antibody and cell-mediated immune response I’m going to make. I continue to feel relieved to have the chance to get more protection against COVID-19, but with the Delta variant surging, I will continue taking all necessary precautions to lessen risk to myself and others.
related:
FDA Authorizes Additional Vaccine Dose for Certain Immunocompromised Individuals
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration amended the emergency use authorizations (EUAs) for both the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine and the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine to allow for the use of an additional dose in certain immunocompromised individuals, specifically, solid organ transplant recipients or those who are diagnosed with conditions that are considered to have an equivalent level of immunocompromise. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is scheduled to meet Friday to discuss further clinical recommendations regarding immunocompromised individuals. Today’s action does not apply to people who are not immunocompromised.
“The country has entered yet another wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the FDA is especially cognizant that immunocompromised people are particularly at risk for severe disease. After a thorough review of the available data, the FDA determined that this small, vulnerable group may benefit from a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna Vaccines,” said Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock, M.D. “Today’s action allows doctors to boost immunity in certain immunocompromised individuals who need extra protection from COVID-19. As we’ve previously stated, other individuals who are fully vaccinated are adequately protected and do not need an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine at this time. The FDA is actively engaged in a science-based, rigorous process with our federal partners to consider whether an additional dose may be needed in the future.”
People who are immunocompromised in a manner similar to those who have undergone solid organ transplantation have a reduced ability to fight infections and other diseases, and they are especially vulnerable to infections, including COVID-19. The FDA evaluated information on the use of a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna Vaccines in these individuals and determined that the administration of third vaccine doses may increase protection in this population. These patients should be counseled to maintain physical precautions to help prevent COVID-19. In addition, close contacts of immunocompromised persons should get vaccinated, as appropriate for their health status, to provide increased protection to their loved ones.
Does the COVID-19 Booster Shot Have Side Effects? Here's What Experts Say
Whether you're planning on receiving a booster shot when they're available, or will be getting an additional dose due to your immunocompromised status, here's what you need to know
When the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines were first released, there was a lot of talk about potential side effects—especially after people had their second dose. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) even addressed this, noting at the time that side effects from the second dose may be more intense than ones people experienced after their first shot. Those side effects, the CDC said, are normal signs that your body is building protection.
Fast forward about eight months and the conversation is ramping up again: Booster doses of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are slated to open up to all Americans, starting on September 20 (pending green lights from the CDC and FDA), and some immunocompromised residents are getting an additional dose of the vaccine even sooner (or they've already gotten it).
These third doses of the vaccine have people wondering: Will these COVID-19 booster or additional doses come with side effects too—and will they be worse or better than the second or first doses? Here's what you need to know about any symptoms you might feel after a booster or additional shot of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, according to experts.
Booster shots could start Sept. 20: Here’s who can actually get one
Dr. Anthony Fauci, America’s top infectious disease expert, said he believes booster shots will be available for Americans starting Sept. 20 – but not everyone will be able to get a dose right away
First off, booster shots still haven’t been approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA is set to consider them Sept. 17, but until that happens – no boosters for anyone who isn’t immunocompromised. (The Centers for Disease Control already recommends those who are moderate to severely immunocompromised talk to their doctors about getting a third dose.)
If the FDA does give boosters the green light by the Sept. 20 target date, there’s another hitch: It’ll probably just be for one type of vaccine, Pfizer. That’s because the FDA and CDC say they haven’t gotten enough data from Moderna to authorize a third dose yet. The agencies have more data on Pfizer’s use from Israel, so they feel more comfortable giving a third dose the go-ahead. Data for boosters on Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose vaccine won’t be available for months, since that shot wasn’t approved until late February, officials said.
Since the CDC isn’t recommending mixing and matching vaccines yet, that means anyone who received Moderna or Johnson & Johnson will have to wait. Mixing vaccine types is likely safe, said the World Health Organization’s Dr. Kate O’Brien, but health leaders want to see more clinical trials before approving it. But even if you did get Pfizer for your first two doses, you still might not be able to get that third shot just yet. When the CDC announced the plan to start rolling out booster doses, it said they’d be available for all Americans if it’s been eight months since your second dose.
How to protect children under 12 from Covid-19, according to Fauci
Dr. Anthony Fauci says there's an important step adults can take to protect children who are too young to be vaccinated against Covid-19.
"The way you protect children who, because of their age, cannot get vaccinated yet is to surround the children -- be it friends, family, school teachers, personnel in the school -- surround the children with vaccinated people," the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases told CNN on Sunday.
More children have needed emergency room visits and hospitalizations in states with lower vaccination rates, according to a recent study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In the two-week period in mid-to-late August, ER visits for kids up to age 17 were 3.4 times higher in the states with the lowest vaccination rates and hospitalizations were 3.7 times higher than in states with the highest vaccination rates.
How many double-jabbed people are dying from COVID?
More than 1,000 fully vaccinated people in England have died from the Delta variant between 1 February and 29 August, according to the latest data from Public Health England.
In this time period, 37 people under the age of 50 who had been double jabbed and 1,054 over-50s have died after testing positive for the Delta variant – now the dominant strain of the virus in the UK. This compares to a total of 536 COVID deaths of unvaccinated people from all age grounds during that time.
However, the higher number of fully vaccinated people dying does not mean that the vaccine is not working, but instead reflects the large majority of people in England who have now been jabbed. Currently, 79.4% of the population aged 16 and over in England are fully vaccinated.
Singapore fully vaccinated 81% of its population. What’s next?
Back in 1959, publicity trucks roamed the streets of Singapore to encourage citizens to get vaccinated against smallpox. The nation has taken a page from history – it’s rolling out mobile vaccination drives and catchy jingles to persuade citizens to get their Covid-19 shots.
Singapore has fully vaccinated 81 per cent of its population from the virus, making it one of the most vaccinated countries in the world. “I don’t think there are many countries that have achieved such a high rate of vaccination,” says Ong Ye Kung, Singapore’s Minister for Health.
How did Singapore do it, and what’s next in the country’s reopening as infections rise? In an exclusive interview with GovInsider, Ong discusses lessons from the pandemic, the need for public trust in government, and mental health.
90 reports of suspected adverse reactions to Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine in S'pore
There have been 90 reports of suspected adverse reactions to the Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine, including five serious ones, as of Aug 31, the authorities announced on Thursday (Sept 16). With 168,439 doses of the vaccine administered in the same period, this amounts to a rate of 0.053 per cent for suspected cases, and about 0.003 per cent for serious ones.
In its fifth safety update on Covid-19 vaccines, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) also said 8,716,085 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna mRNA vaccines have been administered under the national vaccination programme as of Aug 31. A total of 11,737 suspected adverse reactions - 0.13 per cent - were reported for vaccines under the national vaccination programme in the same period. Of these, 498 reports (0.006 per cent) were classified as serious adverse events.
The most commonly reported symptoms were consistent with those typically observed following vaccination. They include dizziness, shortness of breath, chest tightness or discomfort, palpitations, injection site reactions such as pain and swelling, fever and allergic reactions (such as rashes, itching, hives and swelling of eyelids, face and lips). These typically resolve within a few days, said HSA. Among the serious cases, the most frequently reported were anaphylaxis and other severe allergic reactions.
Tracking Singapore's Covid-19 vaccination progress
Note: Fully vaccinated individuals refer to those who have received their second doses and recovered people who have received at least one dose
A total of 8,867,170 doses have been administered in Singapore under the national vaccination programme as at Sept 12.
Both first and second doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty and Moderna vaccines are currently being administered.
In addition, 176,860 doses of other vaccines recognised in the World Health Organization’s Emergency Use Listing, which includes includes Sinovac-Coronavac, Sinopharm and AstraZeneca, have been administered as at Sept 12, covering 86,614 individuals.
Understanding COVID-19: Asymptomatic & Symptomatic Presentation
The COVID-19 pandemic has spread fear around the world. Life has not been the same since early 2020. However, the pandemic has also united people who want to help stop the spread of the disease. Unfortunately, asymptomatic presentation of COVID-19 makes this difficult
Experts continue their extensive research on asymptomatic and symptomatic cases of COVID-19. New findings provide a better understanding of the disease, which allows us to remain calm and cautious. Staying informed and prepared helps keep you and your loved ones healthy and safe. Because COVID-19 does not always present with symptoms, it’s challenging to determine the exact number of cases across the United States. Asymptomatic cases also make it hard to know who may or may not be infected. Therefore, always protecting yourself and your family in situations where you encounter other people is imperative.
We’re here to help you understand the differences between symptomatic and asymptomatic COVID-19 so you can keep your family safe and take the proper measures if you believe you’ve been exposed. Symptomatic & Asymptomatic COVID-19:
- In symptomatic cases of COVID-19, people may present a wide variety of symptoms. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), symptoms may present within two to 14 days of exposure. Common symptoms include fever, coughing, and trouble breathing, though the CDC also notes several others.
- When someone is asymptomatic, they do not show any signs that the disease is present in their body. The CDC estimates that 35% of COVID-19 cases are asymptomatic. In asymptomatic cases, people don’t know they are infected. There is no way for others to know either.
- Regardless of how COVID-19 presents, the disease is contagious and can easily transmit to others. The possibility that an asymptomatic person could infect other people is exactly the same as in symptomatic cases.
Considering so many COVID-19 cases are asymptomatic, it’s vital to continue to practice preventative measures such as social distancing, thoroughly washing your hands, and wearing a mask. Doing so will help keep you safe from others — and others safe from you — in the event that someone is unaware that they have the disease.
4 lions at Night Safari and another lion at Singapore Zoo tested positive for COVID-19
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