COVID-19 News and Updates

Hello all,

Nina Duggan here with the latest COVID-19 news and updates. This week we discuss how to advise people to prepare for the next surge, an explanation of the new booster recommendations, and where we stand on the pediatric vaccine.

COVID Communication:

How to Prepare for the Next Surge

Cases are currently in a lull in the state of Maine, though some wastewater monitoring is beginning to pick up an increase in viral load. What should those working in COVID outreach advise people to do? 

Dr. Nirav Shah of the Maine CDC had some excellent recommendations on this past week’s episode of Maine Calling, detailing steps everyone can take to protect themselves and their communities.

1.     Make sure you are fully vaccinated and boosted: 

This means the initial two dose course as well as your first booster. For those over the age of 50 or who are at high risk, and who are four months out from their first booster, it is a good idea to receive your second booster. Furthermore, if you have the J&J booster, it is recommended that you switch to the mRNA vaccines (more on this below).

2.     Have at home tests on hand: 

Frequent testing is one of our best defenses against COVID-19. The benefit of the rapid antigen tests is that they can be taken frequently and are still very effective at picking up COVID. If you are symptomatic, have been exposed, or are gathering with those outside of your household it is a good idea to take an at home test. As Dr. Shah stated, the PCR tests are to determine whether or not you have any virus in your body, and the at home antigen tests are good to take when determining whether or not you are likely to pass the virus on to somebody else at that time. Free tests can still be ordered from both the federal government and the state (linked below).

3.     Know how and where to get medication for treatment:

We as a society now have a wide array of medications available to help treat COVID-19. Speak with your doctor about what kind of medication you should take should you become sick, where you would get the medication, and how you would get evaluated for a prescription. Some of the treatments do interact with other medications, so it is important to know if you do get COVID what you can take and how to get it early on in the infection.

Links and Sources: Maine Calling: Dr. Nirav ShahFederal At Home TestsState At Home Tests

COVID in the News:

State of COVID-19 in Maine

Experts are watching the BA2 variant with caution. It has been in Maine for several weeks now, making up roughly 50% of all cases in the Northeastern United States. Wastewater surveillance data does show a slight increase in viral load, and hospitalizations have ticked up to just under 100 across the state, with 24 people currently in critical care.

 It is still unclear as to whether or not BA2 will cause a surge here as it has in Europe, but at present most of Maine remains in the green zone for COVID-19.

Links and Sources: COVID TrackerMaine Calling: Dr. Nirav Shah

The Recent Booster Approval Explained

Recently the FDA approved a booster for those age 50 and older for the COVID-19 vaccines. What does this mean in a practical sense? What kind of booster should you get?

·       If you are over 50 years of age, and at least four months out from your first booster, it is a good idea to consider getting your second booster. Particularly for those who are immunocompromised or at high risk.

·       The data has come in, mixing and matching the mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) is not only safe and effective, it does provide a slight boost in immunity compared to just getting either Pfizer or Moderna all the way through your booster series.

·       Individuals who have gotten the J&J vaccine should instead receive one of the mRNA vaccines for their next shot.

·       You should still get vaccinated even if you have already been infected. Natural immunity from COVID-19 fades completely after 90 days and will not protect you from re-infection.

·       If you are under 50 and not high risk, you do not need a second booster at this time as the first round of boosters is still holding up quite well in the younger age groups. Though it is likely that (similarly to the first round of booster shots) this will be expanded to the younger age groups as time goes on.

Links and Sources: Maine Calling: Dr. Nirav ShahCNN Reporting on Second Boosters

Where Do We Stand on The Pediatric Vaccine?

At present, the FDA is still waiting for the last round of data to come in on both the Pfizer and Moderna pediatric vaccines. There was hope that they would be ready to roll out as of this month, however current predictions place the potential time of authorization in May or a little thereafter.

Featured in the Field:

Dr. Kat Epidemiologist

“Dr. Kat” is a doctor of epidemiology who makes excellent videos on both her TikTok and Instagram accounts explaining and debunking myths about COVID-19 and vaccination. She stays up to date on the breaking data and reports, and is a good resource for vaccine promoters and educators.

You can find her both on TikTok and Instagram.

Thanks again everyone for checking in this week. Stay safe, and remember to take care of each other. ~ Nina

Nina Duggan is Healthy Acadia’s COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Project Coordinator. They share weekly updates about COVID-19 in the state of Maine and beyond, along with resources you may find useful on testing, vaccination, and best practices in preventative measures. 

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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.

POSTTracey CarlsonCE, SPR, SB, HA, HFFA, HPE, AHE