Posted on Sep 6, 2023
Lab data suggests new COVID booster will protect against worrisome variant
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https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/09/05/ [login to see] /lab-data-suggests-new-covid-booster-will-protect-against-worrisome-variant
Scientists have produced the first data indicating that a variant that has raised alarm is unlikely to pose a big new COVID-19 threat.
Four preliminary laboratory studies released over the weekend found that antibodies from previous infections and vaccinations appear capable of neutralizing the variant, known as BA.2.86.
"It is reassuring," says Dr. Dan Barouch, who conducted one of the studies at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.
When it was first spotted, BA.2.86 set off alarm bells. It contains more than 30 mutations on the spike protein the virus uses to infect cells. That's a level of mutation on par with the original Omicron variant, which caused a massive surge.
Scientists have produced the first data indicating that a variant that has raised alarm is unlikely to pose a big new COVID-19 threat.
Four preliminary laboratory studies released over the weekend found that antibodies from previous infections and vaccinations appear capable of neutralizing the variant, known as BA.2.86.
"It is reassuring," says Dr. Dan Barouch, who conducted one of the studies at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.
When it was first spotted, BA.2.86 set off alarm bells. It contains more than 30 mutations on the spike protein the virus uses to infect cells. That's a level of mutation on par with the original Omicron variant, which caused a massive surge.
Lab data suggests new COVID booster will protect against worrisome variant
Posted from npr.org
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Posted 8 mo ago
Responses: 6
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Computers need updates to software to stop electronic viruses. Humans need updates to vaccines to stop biological viruses.
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PO3 Shayne Seibert
except when they don't. The push to force mRNA vaccines is troubling. New science with a lot of unknowns about side effects.
You go ahead and take it. I'll let my immune system take care of the virus as it has the last 3 times I've had the Rona.
You go ahead and take it. I'll let my immune system take care of the virus as it has the last 3 times I've had the Rona.
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."Moderna released a statement Wednesday saying the company has data indicating its new shot produces a strong immune response to BA.2.86.
The Food and Drug Administration is expected to approve new vaccines soon that target a more recent omicron subvariant than the original shots. And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would then recommend who should get them.
While that subvariant, XBB.1.5, has already been replaced by others, it's a close enough match for the new shots to protect people, scientists say.
"I wish the booster was already out," says Dr. Peter Hotez of the Baylor College of Medicine, noting that yet another wave of infections has already begun increasing the number of people catching the virus and getting so sick that they're ending up in the hospital and dying. "We need it now.""
..."Moderna released a statement Wednesday saying the company has data indicating its new shot produces a strong immune response to BA.2.86.
The Food and Drug Administration is expected to approve new vaccines soon that target a more recent omicron subvariant than the original shots. And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would then recommend who should get them.
While that subvariant, XBB.1.5, has already been replaced by others, it's a close enough match for the new shots to protect people, scientists say.
"I wish the booster was already out," says Dr. Peter Hotez of the Baylor College of Medicine, noting that yet another wave of infections has already begun increasing the number of people catching the virus and getting so sick that they're ending up in the hospital and dying. "We need it now.""
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