Discussed in this episode:
- The FDA has approved the latest iteration of the Novavax vaccine. Here are the main differences with the MRNA vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer) that had new versions approved slightly earlier:
- Novavax works by injecting COVID spike proteins into the body, rather than injecting MRNA molecules that tell the body’s cells to manufacture COVID spike proteins for a while. There is some evidence Novavax may carry less risk of side effects on re-vaccination, especially for people who’ve had negative side effects from MRNA vaccination.
- Because Novavax takes longer to manufacture, this round is calibrated to target a slightly older subvariant of COVID (JN.1) than the MRNA vaccines (KP.2); both are close relatives of the currently dominant subvariant in the the US (KP.3.1.1).
- After a Novavax booster, antibody production seems to last longer, which may mean protection against severe COVID lasts longer too. (However, antibody production after a Novavax booster also seems to ramp up slower).
- The WHO has declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern over mpox.
- The declaration was driven by a surge of cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighboring countries that appears to be driven by a new variant (Clade 1b).
- The existing smallpox / mpox vaccine work well to stop the spread of mpox, but the international public health response hasn’t gotten the vaccine everywhere it’s needed.
- To date, there are no confirmed cases of the new variant in the US, which got its 2022 outbreak under control with a relatively successful vaccination campaign targeting groups at high risk of exposure.
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Podcast music credit: Now Son by Podington Bear, licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 International License.