129 COVID Update for Aging Adults (7.21.22 Edition)

Dr. K covers what to know about Omicron BA.5, the data on 1st and 2nd boosters, what to know about Paxlovid rebound, what precautions she recommends for aging adults, and more.
The post 129 COVID Update for Aging Adults (7.21.22 Edition) appeared first on Better Health While Aging.

Dr. K discusses the high COVID levels, the related risks for aging adults, what to know about Omicron BA.5, the data on boosters, and the most effective ways to take sensible precautions.

She covers:

The current COVID situation and how high cases really are

What to know about COVID hospitalization numbers

Whether COVID vaccines are still working
The data on first and second boosters
How the new Novavax COVID vaccine works

How to test for COVID
How long to isolate if you get COVID
What to know about Paxlovid and relapsing after Paxlovid
What masks she recommends

How to take reasonable precautions

Note: you can get the CO2 monitor Dr. K refers to on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/3yhDtq8. The masks that Dr. K is currently using include 3M V-flex N95, and 3M Aura N95. These are affiliate links, so any purchases will help support Better Health While Aging, at no extra cost to you.

Related Episodes:

128 COVID Update for Aging Adults (5.5.22 Edition)

Related Resources:

BHWA:

COVID & Aging Adults: 2022 Updates
COVID Vaccination for Aging Adults: What to Know & Do

To track COVID data:

NY Times COVID Tracker
Wastewater:

CDC Wastewater Surveillance
Biobot.io wastewater tracker

Walgreens Test Positivity Tracker
OurWorldInData.org Coronavirus Data Explorer
CDC Nursing Home Covid-19 Data Dashboard
CDC Variant Proportion Tracker
CDC COVID cases and deaths by vaccine status

FDA:

Update: COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Composition (6/30/22)
Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted Emergency Use Authorization Review Memorandum (7/13/22)
Paxlovid EUA Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers

For masking, ventilation COVID transmission information:

Masks Dr. K uses:

3M V-flex N95
3M Aura N95

Project N95
Twitter resources

@kprather88, @linseymarr, @masknerd

CDC Interactive ventilation tool
The Corsi-Rosenthal Box: DIY Box Fan Air Filter for COVID-19 and Wildfire Smoke

From medical journals and research groups:

Effectiveness of a second BNT162b2 booster vaccine against hospitalization and death from COVID-19 in adults aged over 60 years (Nature, April 2022)
Effectiveness of 2, 3, and 4 COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine Doses Among Immunocompetent Adults During Periods when SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1 and BA.2/BA.2.12.1 Sublineages Predominated VISION Network, 10 States, December 2021 June 2022 (CDC, 7/15/22)
Hospitalization and Emergency Department Encounters for COVID-19 After Paxlovid Treatment California, December 2021 May 2022 (CDC 6/21/22)
Self-reported long COVID after infection with the Omicron variant in the UK (UK ONS 7/18/22)
SARS-CoV-2 transmission on planes, by “Your Local Epidemiologist” Katelyn Jetelina, PhD
UK Health Security Agency COVID-19 vaccine weekly surveillance reports
COVID-19 Rebound After Paxlovid Treatment (CDC 5/24/22)
Newest Omicron subvariants can evade boosters, antibody therapies (UMN CIDRAP, 7/6/22)

covers bebtelovimab, the only monoclonal antibody treatment still effective against BA.5

From news and other media:

What you need to know about the Novavax vaccine (Johns Hopkins Univ, 6/16/22)
New COVID Vaccine for Fall? What to Know About the FDA’s Plans (CNET 7/15/22)
FDA says COVID boosters for the fall must target newer omicron types (NPR 6/30/22)

Twitter sources that helped with this update:

Dr. Eric Topol (good for all kinds of COVID data and info)

Graphic for PCR and rapid tests here

Never Miss an Episode! Sign up here to be notified of our latest podcast episodes by email

The post 129 COVID Update for Aging Adults (7.21.22 Edition) appeared first on Better Health While Aging.