US proposes once-a-year COVID shots for most Americans
Last edited Mon Jan 23, 2023, 04:49 PM - Edit history (1)
Source: AP
WASHINGTON (AP) U.S. health officials want to make COVID-19 vaccinations more like the annual flu shot.The Food and Drug Administration on Monday proposed a simplified approach for future vaccination efforts, allowing most adults and children to get a once-a-year shot to protect against the mutating virus.
This means Americans would no longer have to keep track of how many shots theyve received or how many months its been since their last booster. The proposal comes as boosters have become a hard sell. While more than 80% of the U.S. population has had at least one vaccine dose, only 16% of those eligible have received the latest boosters authorized in August.
The FDA will ask its panel of outside vaccine experts to weigh in at a meeting Thursday. The agency is expected to take their advice into consideration while deciding future vaccine requirements for manufacturers.
In documents posted online, FDA scientists say many Americans now have sufficient preexisting immunity against the coronavirus because of vaccination, infection or a combination of the two. That baseline of protection should be enough to move to an annual booster against the latest strains in circulation and make COVID-19 vaccinations more like the yearly flu shot, according to the agency.
Read more: https://apnews.com/article/health-immunizations-covid-cdd627b7daee5c2f7ebc984a3d9357db
Briefing documents for the upcoming VRBPAC meeting with the recommendations (PDF) - https://www.fda.gov/media/164699/download
Proposal (taken from the above) -
Given the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 variants and associated changes in the epidemiology,
susceptibility to reinfection, and waning of vaccine-induced immunity, barring development of a
significantly improved vaccine, periodic future updates to the S protein sequence(s) contained
or encoded in COVID-19 vaccines and revaccination will likely be needed to induce and
maintain vaccine effectiveness (VE), respectively. Therefore, an approach to both simplifying
the immunization schedule, and periodically updating the composition of COVID-19 vaccines as
needed, requires consideration.
Review of the totality of the available evidence on prior exposure to and vaccination against
SARS-CoV-2 suggests that, moving forward, most individuals may only need to receive one
dose of an approved or authorized COVID-19 vaccine to restore protective immunity for a period
of time. Two doses of an approved or authorized COVID-19 vaccine may be needed to induce
the expected protective immunity for those who have a low likelihood of prior exposure (the very
young) or those who may not generate a protective immune response (older and
immunocompromised individuals).
Similar to the approach with influenza, the global nature of SARS-CoV-2 strain evolution
warrants a global response when evaluating and recommending vaccine strain composition
changes. Ideally, any change in vaccine composition, when appropriate, would be implemented
broadly and would be coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO) with national
regulatory authorities. However, unlike influenza, a well-established, highly coordinated
infrastructure and governance of global semi-annual vaccine composition evaluation and
recommendations do not currently exist for SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, at this time the current
diversity of vaccine manufacturers and complexities in global supply of COVID-19 vaccines
would make a globally coordinated, simultaneous vaccine composition evaluation and
recommendation quite challenging.
FDA anticipates conducting an assessment of SARS-CoV-2 strains at least annually and to
engage VRBPAC in about early June of each year regarding strain selection for the fall season.
Subsequently, a decision on the recommended vaccine composition would be made in time for
any updated vaccine to be in production in time to be deployed for use no later than September
of each calendar year. Of note, circulation of a more pathogenic vaccine-escape variant of
SARS-CoV-2 would likely prompt, on an as needed and emergent basis, an ad-hoc strain
selection meeting of VRBPAC.
(snip)
I think most of us figured this is what was going to happen eventually and I know there have been clinical trials underway to do this as a combined flu/COVID shot. Because the primary vaccine platform used here in the U.S. is the mRNA one, the most current circulating strain can actually be identified and the vaccine manufactured closer to the high infection season in the fall (i.e., the above mentions by "June" ), whereas the flu strains need to be identified some time in February/maybe March to give enough time to manufacture enough vaccine for that fall season.
Article updated.
Original article -
This means Americans would no longer have to keep track of how many shots theyve received or how many months its been since their last booster. The proposal comes as boosters have become a hard sell. While more than 80% of the U.S. population has had at least one vaccine dose, only 16% of those eligible have received the latest boosters authorized in August.
The FDA will ask its panel of outside vaccine experts to weigh in at a meeting Thursday. The agency is expected to take their advice into consideration while deciding future vaccine requirements for vaccine makers.
In documents posted online, FDA scientists say many Americans now have sufficient preexisting immunity against the coronavirus because of vaccination, infection or a combination of the two. That baseline of protection should be enough to move to an annual booster against the latest strains in circulation and make COVID-19 vaccinations more like the yearly flu shot, according to the agency.
Lovie777
(12,272 posts)flu shots.
Pretty much on target.
Initech
(100,079 posts)hamsterjill
(15,220 posts)But its not just the MAGAs. Less than half of the population gets flu shots.
Initech
(100,079 posts)I've never had the need to get one but I heard with the COVID and flu going around I decided to go for it.
electric_blue68
(14,906 posts)with covid and flu around I figured it was time. Actually I waited till too late to get it in '21.
Idk why I never got it again; extra good genes, luck, extra vits & minerals at times? What ever it was I'm grateful since I live in a big city, and not a sparse rural area, so more chances of getting it. So now some more protection is good.
(Totally vaxxed & maxxed from the get go re Covid)
Orrex
(63,213 posts)Mention mandatory mask use or restricted public gatherings for the sake of health and safety, and the Left loses its shit as quickly as the Right, with all kinds of dubious "evidence" about the futility of such measures.
For some on the Left, any measure at all that imposes any inconvenience or discomfort, no matter how trivial, is monstrous and must be opposed.
I'm not making this up: I've had this heated exchange more than once here on DU, with their final rebuttal often taking the form of "look, if you want to wear a mask, no one's stopping you."
The Right has no monopoly on selfish thinking or short-sightedness.
SouthernDem4ever
(6,617 posts)on stupid people.
deurbano
(2,895 posts)where we could spray daily, even more than once daily, to prevent any exposure from gaining hold, and that this approach could work for any potential variants, and even the flu. That would really help even the more vulnerable amongst us get back to "normal" life.
hamsterjill
(15,220 posts)The needle phobe that I am!!!
I feel like this technology is being put on the back burner. Every time I I hear that there is progress, in a month or two, the research has been stopped. They might LEARN something via this method.
ThoughtCriminal
(14,047 posts)But I've had 4 doses of Moderna and it is by far the least noticeable shot I have ever received. I did not feel any pain at all.
The downside it still the after-effects - a day or two of fever and aches and I doubt that a nasal dose will solve that.
Having to deal with that twice a year is a problem, and one I'm willing to deal with, but it would be easier if it was annual.
I also wish that more progress was made on needle alternatives for other vaccines as well. I sometimes think that it is not a priority in the medical profession since needle-phobia is just seen by many as a personal weakness.
hamsterjill
(15,220 posts)We are few in number in the worlds eye and are expected to just suck it up. Easier said than done.
BumRushDaShow
(129,053 posts)India has one that they plan to release next week - https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/indias-intranasal-covid-vaccine-incovacc-to-be-launched-on-republic-day-key-points-to-know/photostory/97225602.cms?from=mdr
COVID-19 vaccines: From nasal drops to a redesign, what 2023 could have in store
By Alexander Tin
January 9, 2023 / 3:08 PM / CBS News
Several vaccine companies say they are expecting breakthroughs as early as this year as they pursue new ways to protect people against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.The Food and Drug Administration is set to convene a panel of its outside vaccine advisers later this month to weigh key issues over the future of COVID-19 vaccines, including when and how to greenlight new boosters and changes to which strain the vaccines target.
Here's a peek at some of what's expected this year for the next generation of COVID-19 vaccines.
New vaccines by nose or mouth
Several companies have been pursuing approaches that could offer better protection against infections themselves, instead of merely blunting the severity of the disease. Potential vaccines to build this kind of "mucosal immunity" aim to bring antibodies to fend off the virus at the sites where it first enters the body, through vaccines that could be taken through drops, sprays or pills.
A few of these vaccines have been licensed in other countries, but none in the U.S. and the data behind them isn't robust, said Dr. John Beigel, associate director for clinical research at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Even if Congress had granted the Biden administration's request to pour resources into developing potential next-generation mucosal vaccines to broad clinical trials, Beigel said it would be challenging to "pick the winners" for government backing.
(snip)
Changes to existing vaccines
(snip)
"A combination influenza and COVID vaccine that still looks very optimistic that that might be available for next season, and I think it might do something good to combat the vaccine fatigue that's out there at the moment," says Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
(snip)
More: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/covid-19-vaccines-nasal-sprays-pills-breakthroughs-2023/
hamsterjill
(15,220 posts)I will be glad when something finally materializes.
BumRushDaShow
(129,053 posts)and solid/verifiable results from the clinical trials. There are trials going on but I expect either they are too small or have not been conclusive enough.
Basically what is being asked is to fulfill the long running pipe dream of "curing the 'common cold'" ( 'colds' are viruses, in some cases including a mix of rhinoviruses and benign coronaviruses). If the mechanism to neutralize something like these respiratory viruses is found, it will be a game-changer!
hamsterjill
(15,220 posts)Some of us do not relish standing there and letting someone stick a needle in our arm.
But I believe your arguments are sound.
ananda
(28,864 posts)...
TomCADem
(17,387 posts)I thought the story was that the COVID booster would be offered annually like a flu shot. That would be great if they had a combo flu and COVID shot.
ananda
(28,864 posts)That's what I did last September.
friend of a friend
(367 posts)They were so close together that I only needed 1 bandaid.
Eric J in MN
(35,619 posts)This is wishful thinking: If we say COVID is analogous to the flu then it will be.
Response to Eric J in MN (Reply #11)
Post removed
sybylla
(8,512 posts)On the one hand, I get it. Development and implementation of multiple vaccines per year is problematic.
OTOH, try tabulating the number of variants that develop worldwide in one year. We will be forever vulnerable to the worst six months in.
Again, this seems to be far too focused on what "people" want and not the reality of epidemiology, immunology, the long-term impacts of multiple infections of COVID, and the impacts of both long- and short-term sickness on world's and our economy.
Karma13612
(4,552 posts)Hopefully SOMEDAY they might be able to combine them (Flu and COVID) for those of us who are needle-averse. Hahaha!
Ive had every recommended vax and booster for COVID, and I always get a Flu shot. I just would like to have it be combined.
Thanks for this updated info ❤️
cstanleytech
(26,293 posts)this virus has clearly shown it can mutate alot just like the flu can.
BumRushDaShow
(129,053 posts)and that is when many "discovered" that "Yes Virginia, there are 'break-through' cases" and it's not "rare".
And "Also Virginia, children were getting it and in some cases, pretty badly and ending up in the hospital thanks to Omicron".
I had watched most if not all of the FDA VRBPAC and CDC ACIP meetings and there were members on both Committees who were strongly against the idea of "boosters". They have fortunately been in the minority when voting but it reflects the often divergent views in the epidemiology and medical communities. You also had a contingent from W.H.O. who were demanding that western countries halt boosters in order to get vaccines to the developing world.
So this pandemic has been a textbook case of fits and starts and guessing and assuming.
Martin68
(22,803 posts)knock on wood.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)won't expect the recommendation to be the same as for the once-a-year "most Americans."
republianmushroom
(13,597 posts)area51
(11,909 posts)A hard sell at currently $0 cost. Wait 'til people get charged $110+ for any future Covid boosters.
madville
(7,410 posts)Only way theyll get maybe 30% compliance is for it to remain zero out of pocket cost. I know several people that have gotten the flu shot this year but are declining any further COVID shots.