coronavirus

What to know about the new COVID booster

Mary Cunningham — Thu, 08 Sep 2022 17:08:32 +0000

What to know about the new COVID booster Mary Cunningham Thu, 09/08/2022 - 13:08

In This Story

Epidemiologist and Professor Amira Roess answers frequently asked questions about the newest COVID booster shot.

In the United States, a new COVID-19 booster shot has been approved and recommended for people aged 12 and older. This new booster, called a “bivalent” booster, was created to combat the original COVID strain and to protect against the newest omicron variants (BA.4 and BA.5).

Epidemiologist and Professor at ��AV Dr. Amira Roess specializes in infectious diseases and answers frequently asked questions about the new COVID-19 booster shot. She is available for further comment.

Who should get the COVID-19 new booster?

Those aged 12 years and older who are eligible are encouraged to get the new bivalent booster. Eligibility is defined as being at least 2 months out from their last booster dose or from the initial primary series. FDA has authorized two new boosters, one from Moderna and one from Pfizer. Visit the Centers for Disease Control website to find out if you are eligible.

The numbers are down, and less people seem to be getting COVID, so why should I get the new booster vaccine?

Disease modelers have been forecasting a surge in cases this fall and winter, in part due to the fact that we are moving into colder months when we will be indoors more and exposed to more viruses. In addition, many individuals are losing their immunity against the virus. People were vaccinated or boosted many months ago, and many were in the spring or the summer. This means that soon they will be at risk for (re)infection. Getting the new booster can help decrease your chance of getting infected and can dramatically decrease your chance of a severe infection if you are infected.

Another important note here is that we are significantly undercounting cases. Many of us are using home-based kits, and we are not reporting results to public health agencies.

Is now a good time to get boosted?

If you are eligible, yes. Now is a good time, and you should consider getting the new booster. We are hearing reports of children getting infected at school and infecting their household members. We will likely see more cases in the coming weeks. Eligible individuals who get the new booster can expect to have a lower chance of getting COVID-19, and if they do become infected, they will likely have a very mild case and shorter duration of illness. This will cut down the chance of passing on the virus to others.

How soon after infection can I get the new booster?

General CDC guidance suggests you wait at least 3 months from the onset of symptoms or positive test. We can expect the CDC and White House to release guidance on this related to the booster in the coming weeks.

Why don't we know more about the currently circulating COVID-19 variant?

The data, while preliminary, indicate that the currently circulating variant, BA.5, is the most immune evasive one that we have dealt with to date. Individuals are getting reinfected with this variant at a greater rate compared to previously circulating variants. In addition, we are seeing a segment of the population getting reinfected within 2 months of infection. Because BA.5 became dominant over the summer, there is still quite a bit that we don't know.

The data do suggest that overall, among healthy individuals, severe illness, hospitalization, and death continue to be significantly lower following infection with this variant.

How do we deal with this moving forward?

First, if you are eligible for the new booster, consider getting it.

Next, try to stay home if you have symptoms, even if your rapid test is negative. We want to avoid infecting others, particularly those who are immune compromised or elderly.

If you test positive, isolate at home to the best of your ability. The CDC updated its guidelines to shorten the duration of isolation and quarantine. Once you are out of isolation, continue to wear your mask when you are around others to further protect them.

The good news is that most healthy adults are not getting very sick. However, we do want to keep in mind that there are many immune-compromised individuals in our community who are at risk for severe illness should they get infected.

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Mason’s surveillance testing team honored for its efforts

John Hollis — Mon, 28 Feb 2022 20:46:22 +0000

Mason’s surveillance testing team honored for its efforts John Hollis Mon, 02/28/2022 - 15:46

Mason formally recognized the many dedicated scientists, first responders, program administrators and medical personnel whose tireless efforts paved the way for the school’s successful COVID-19 surveillance testing program during the global pandemic. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services

��AV officials on Monday formally recognized the many dedicated scientists, first responders, program administrators, staff and medical personnel whose tireless efforts paved the way for the school’s successful COVID-19 surveillance testing program during the global pandemic.

The reception in their honor at Merten Hall was Mason’s way of giving a heartfelt thanks for a job well done.

“I can give you all a thousand thank you's,” said Mason President Gregory Washington. “And I know the reality is that it doesn’t happen if you all don’t make the commitment, if you all don’t put in the hard work, if you all don’t put in the extra hours, if you all don’t have to deal with the changing policies and the struggles that we were in many cases foisting upon you. But you did it, you did it admirably and your results are spectacular.”

Since the program’s inception in fall 2020, Mason has administered more than 155,000 COVID tests to students, faculty and staff. Processing the tests in Mason’s own labs means results are returned within 24 to 48 hours. The fast turnaround time meant Mason scientists could quickly identify and isolate positive COVID cases which lead to timely notification to those members of our community that needed to self-isolate to mitigate outbreaks within the Mason community.

The quick turnaround required immense time and staff power, key factors in helping keep the community safe while elevating Mason to national prominence for its response to the pandemic. The university’s ability to monitor the prevalence of COVID within the campus community and transmission rates played a key role in the decision to open its doors on time for fall 2021 and spring 2022 semesters.

Lance Liotta, the co-founder and co-director of the Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine within Mason’s College of Science which oversaw the testing, called what his team accomplished “historic.” Liotta noted that his team conducted 1,000 thousand tests on Friday, Feb. 25, without a single positive case of COVID.

Carol Kissal, Mason’s senior vice president for administration and finance, lauded the team for their efforts that have served to inspire the entire Mason community.

“You have all been part of something that is pretty phenomenal,” she said.

The surveillance and diagnostic testing program started in the Ángel Cabrera Global Center parking garage in late August 2020, where staff overcame the elements and other unexpected technological hurdles to help Mason navigate the early stages of the COVID pandemic and COVID virus of which very little was known at the time. It wasn’t long before Mason's COVID Response Team and scientists had devised new collection procedures at sites across all of Mason’s campuses, each aimed at keeping site staff and test participants safe through an efficient and expeditious testing process.

Mason's reliable surveillance testing system is also critical in allowing Mason student-athletes to continue competing safely throughout the pandemic.

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Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine (CAPMM)

Why Mason is Requiring Covid Vaccine Boosters

Melanie Balog — Thu, 13 Jan 2022 20:13:07 +0000

Why Mason is Requiring Covid Vaccine Boosters Melanie Balog Thu, 01/13/2022 - 15:13

On December 31, ��AV announced it has joined the growing community of universities requiring that students, staff, and faculty receive Covid booster shots for the spring 2022 semester. This requirement has been largely well-received, but it has prompted some questions that merit the university offering a deeper explanation.

Currently, 208 million Americans are fully vaccinated against Covid, with more than 74 million receiving booster shots, giving public health officials overwhelming proof that vaccines and boosters are the most effective tools we have to stop the spread of Covid.

In particular, data published by the National Institutes for Health show that Pfizer’s two-dose vaccine, while more than 90 percent effective against the first Covid variant, dropped to 60-70 percent against the delta variant after six months, and just 30 percent against omicron.

By contrast, Pfizer’s booster shot restores its effectiveness to 90+ percent against the delta variant and nearly 80 percent against the omicron variant. Vaccines and boosters undeniably stop most of the spread of omicron. Further, the New England Journal of Medicine reports that boosters offer significant reduction of risk across all ages, 16 and up.

With this evidence in hand, Mason opted to join nearly every major university in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia in requiring boosters for spring 2022.

There are three primary benefits:

1. Health and safety

The strong performance of boosters in mitigating the spread of Covid and reducing the severity of its symptoms means fewer members of our community will contract the virus, fewer will fall ill, and fewer will pass it on. This is particularly vital to the safety of the 850 students, faculty, and staff at Mason who are unvaccinated with approved medical or religious exemptions. It is also vital for the safety of those who are vaccinated but either have health vulnerabilities that are unknowable to those around them, or who live with vulnerable populations such as the elderly or children not eligible for vaccination. While there is evidence of a remote risk for hospitalization among individuals 16 to 29 years of age in very limited circumstances, this reduced risk level does not extend to all of our community. This is especially true for faculty and staff in older age groups. We are obligated to do what we can to protect them also.

2. Operational continuity

Widespread infections are creating massive economic and social disruptions that are avoidable, and are harming people’s livelihoods. Grocery stores are struggling to keep food on shelves, businesses are reducing services and hours of operation, and hospitals are experiencing record occupancy for the pandemic, such that in many cases they are not able to provide care to non-Covid patients.

Without intervention, large numbers of employees and students could get sick and be required to isolate at Mason. This could result in widespread classroom disruptions and reductions or temporary suspension of vital student and university services. Given how preventable this is, we are unapologetic in our determination to do what we can to avoid this sort of interruption at all costs.

3. Ending the pandemic

As we enter year three of this pandemic, we all want it to end. The best way to do so is to minimize the spread of the virus, which also minimizes its capacity to perpetuate itself by mutating into its next variant. No one likes these limitations on our lives, but they are temporarily necessary.

Fundamentally, the collective mindset required to end the pandemic isn’t about “me.” It is about “we.” And our commitment to working together is what is required to finally bring this cycle of illness, death, isolation, and disruption to an end.

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Vaccines

coronavirus

coronavirus; covid-19

How Can Schools Prepare for the Spread of the Omicron Variant?

mthomp7 — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 15:07:07 +0000

How Can Schools Prepare for the Spread of the Omicron Variant? mthomp7 Wed, 01/05/2022 - 10:07

In This Story

Amira Roess, PhD, MPH

Infectious Disease Expert Shares Insight on How the Omicron Variant's Spread Could Affect Schools and In-Person Instruction

The Covid-19 omicron variant continues to surge across the country, leaving many with questions on keeping their families safe as students return to in-person classes after winter break. Amira Roess, professor in the Department of Global and Community Health, addresses common questions regarding the spread, health risks, and staffing shortages that the omicron variant poses on school systems.

1. How can schools best prep for the spread of the omicron variant?

All adults need to model good mask usage behavior. Anyone who is eligible and unvaccinated needs to get vaccinated. The hospitals are struggling under the strain posed by the surge in severe cases, primarily among unvaccinated individuals. This means that those of us who have non-COVID medical crises or injuries or get into accidents are going to continue to face problems getting emergency care. We really need to consider the greater ramifications of our actions.

2. Are school-aged students more at risk if they attend school in person?

School-age students will be more likely to become infected at school. However, vaccinated students and most healthy children will have mild symptoms or will be asymptomatic. One issue we are facing is that among unvaccinated children, the rate of severe illness is significantly higher than among vaccinated children. While the rates are low overall, the sheer number is starting to increase as more children become infected.

3. What do you think is the biggest challenge for school districts who are gearing up for in-person instruction amid the omicron virus surge?

Enforcing mask usage is challenging. Schools should require disposable high-quality masks. I've been around children who wear cloth masks that do not fit them well, haven't been washed in a long time, and don't have any filters. This is extremely problematic.

4. Do you think in-person instruction would lead to more staff shortages in schools?

Many schools are facing staff shortages because staff are infected and need to isolate. In-person instruction will likely lead to significant increases in both staff and children becoming infected.

5. In New York City, only the student/or staff member who tests positive will have to quarantine at home. The rest of the class will be able to return to the classroom. Do you think this plan is effective?

It will be very important to keep anyone symptomatic out of schools. In addition, asymptomatic individuals who test positive should also stay out of schools. If we want to avoid transmission in schools then schools will need to test students and staff on a regular basis, and that will be challenging.

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coronavirus; covid-19

coronavirus

DCist: Mason nursing student Josue Reyes-Larios helps vaccinate unsheltered community members in Fairfax County.

eander6 — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 17:13:52 +0000

DCist: Mason nursing student Josue Reyes-Larios helps vaccinate unsheltered community members in Fairfax County. eander6 Thu, 10/14/2021 - 13:13

‘Trying To Chase A Train’: Fairfax’s Effort To Vaccinate Unhoused Residents.

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vaccinations

coronavirus

coronavirus; covid-19

Nursing

CHHS in the Media

College of Health and Human Services

College of Health and Human Services Department of Global and Community Health

NPR: Dr. Amira Roess comments on the coronavirus, driven by the delta variant, and a plateau of case counts, hospitalizations, and death in the DC region.

eander6 — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 16:37:17 +0000

NPR: Dr. Amira Roess comments on the coronavirus, driven by the delta variant, and a plateau of case counts, hospitalizations, and death in the DC region. eander6 Thu, 10/14/2021 - 12:37

In This Story

Amira Roess, PhD, MPH

Cases drop, hospitalizations plateau in D.C. region following Delta surge. Also in the DCist.

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public health faculty

College of Health and Human Services

College of Health and Human Services Department of Global and Community Health

WAMU 88.5 (Washington, DC): Dr. Amira Roess comments on COVID transmission in schools, frequent testing and swiftly imposed mandates.

eander6 — Thu, 26 Aug 2021 16:28:34 +0000

WAMU 88.5 (Washington, DC): Dr. Amira Roess comments on COVID transmission in schools, frequent testing and swiftly imposed mandates. eander6 Thu, 08/26/2021 - 12:28