COVID-19 News and Updates

Hello all,

Nina Duggan here with the latest COVID-19 news and updates.

This week we will be discussing the approval of the new bivalent boosters for the younger age group, and why it’s important to bundle up as well as mask up to keep yourself healthy.

COVID Communication:

Bivalent Booster Approved for Children 6 months to 5 years

The bivalent booster has just been approved for the youngest age group, age 6 months through 5 years of age for both Moderna and Pfizer. As with adults, the primary two doses must be received first. The bivalent booster cannot be given as the first dose at this time. Children receiving Moderna are eligible at least two months after their primary series. Children receiving Pfizer will receive the bivalent dose as their third primary series dose. If a child has already received the third monovalent Pfizer dose, they are not eligible at this time for the Pfizer bivalent dose (this will be re-evaluated sometime in January).

At this point time, mixing Pfizer and Moderna is not allowed for this age group, though it is expected it will be eventually allowed similar to other age groups. The COVID-19 vaccine may be given at the same time as other childhood vaccines per the CDC guidelines.

Click here to see the full post by Dr. Elizabeth Marnik including common questions and concerns.

COVID in the News:

State of COVID-19 in Maine

COVID-19 is currently seeing the beginning of a surge throughout the country, with the state of Maine being no exception. Cases have gone up by 68% in the state from two weeks ago, with case positivity at 7%. Hospitalizations, number of patients in ICUs, and deaths have all increased across the state. Experts encourage residents to mask up, use best COVID safety practices, and get vaccinated for both COVID and the flu.

Why More People Get Sick When It Gets Colder

It’s pretty widely accepted that when it’s cold, more people get sick. This is in large part due to the fact that people head indoors where it’s warm, so there’s more exposure risk and less air filtration, but it’s also due to the fact that cold air actually hampers the immune response. A new study discovered that cold air kills the cells in your nose that mount the first defensive immune response (especially against respiratory viruses like COVID-19 and influenza), with just a 9-degree internal drop in temperature killing nearly 50% of them.

Fortunately, masks are just as useful here as they are in filtering out virus in the air, one of the researchers likening it to wearing a “sweater on your nose”. This study shows how it important it is to bundle up, throw on a scarf, and wear a mask to stay healthy this cold and flu season.

Links and Sources: CNN Health Scientists finally know why people get more colds and flu in winter

Featured in the Field:

Doctora_Edith

Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez is a pediatrician and mother who regularly posts updates on COVID-19 and the world of pediatric health care. Her content is available in English and Spanish.

You can find her on Instagram and her website.
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If you or anyone you know have questions or concerns about COVID-19 or the available vaccines please call or text our COVID-19 Peer Support Line at 207-271-6023, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.