There has been a lot of Covid news in the past few weeks, so we wanted to share an early update to help you stay organized. As you know, the Delta variant is widespread and causing a greater strain on our local healthcare systems than at any other time in the pandemic. Modeling based on other parts of the world that have gone through this suggests that the surge won’t last forever, but it is likely to get worse before conditions improve. The best thing to do is to be vaccinated and masked, especially if you spend any time at all in public places with poor ventilation. Further, limitations on hospital capacity make this an especially bad time to engage in risky hobbies like motorcycle jousting or chainsaw juggling.
Vaccines, Boosters, Etc.
FDA Approval
The FDA has given full authorization for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, meaning it is no longer being administered under an Emergency Use Authorization, or EUA. Similar action on the Moderna formulation is expected to follow in the coming weeks. These rulings provide further assurance of the safety and efficacy of the mRNA vaccines. For anyone who has not yet received a dose, we strongly encourage doing so.
Extra doses for immunocompromised people
The CDC is recommending that anyone who has received two doses of either Pfizer or Moderna AND is moderately to severely immunocompromised should receive a third dose of the same brand (no mix and match) at least four weeks after their second dose. To be clear, this third dose is not a “booster.” To produce an adequate immune response in this population, three doses are now considered to be the proper schedule. Qualifying individuals include those who have:
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Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
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Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
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Received a bone marrow transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
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Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge or Wiskott-Aldrich syndromes)
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Advanced or untreated HIV infection
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Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response, such as injectable biologics for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease
Booster shots
There is growing evidence that protection from vaccines wanes over time. Data suggest that a third dose of either Pfizer or Moderna vaccine will increase protection from severe disease, hospitalization, and death. Beginning the week of September 20, (and starting 8 months after an individual’s second dose), the individuals who were fully vaccinated earliest in the rollout, including many health care providers, nursing home residents, and other seniors, will likely be eligible for a booster. Ideally, this should be the same brand (Moderna or Pfizer) of your original two doses. You can read the full press release from CDC and HHS here.
Data on extra doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccine are still coming and recommendations are expected to be announced in the next several weeks. Rest assured that this group has not been forgotten, it’s just that the other vaccines had about a four-month head start.
Will Baskin Clinic get the vaccine?
Due to the wide availability of the vaccine, as well as the complex nature of storing, tracking, and administering it, Baskin Clinic will not be offering COVID-19 shots. We are more than happy to assist you in finding a convenient administration site, if needed.
Masks
Masks are required to be worn covering the nose and mouth, at all times within Baskin Clinic, and throughout the Legacy Good Samaritan campus.
Any mask is somewhat better than no mask. However, some masks are much, much better than others at preventing transmission. These should be worn in high-risk situations, like public spaces with limited ventilation. Tight-fitting N95s or KN95s are best. That’s what I’d wear if I were on a plane right now. Other really good masks have a tight fit around the nose and mouth to force more air through the filter instead of leaking in around the sides. Remember, when a filter gets wet or dirty, it loses its effectiveness.
Here’s a nice breakdown of mask types, compared.
Outdoor Masks Required
This week, Governor Brown announced an expansion of the statewide mask mandate to include outdoor areas where physical distancing is impossible. This would include full-capacity sporting events, the Pendleton Roundup, and other outdoor festivals. The change in guidance comes as hospitals and ICUs throughout the state are stretched to the limit. Additionally, evidence shows transmission is possible in large gatherings, particularly when vaccination percentages are low. Compare these two events, along with vaccination rates:
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Lollapalooza Music Festival in Chicago — 400,000 attendees (90% vaccinated) — 205 post-event cases (a 0.05% case rate or 1 in 2,000)
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Pendleton Whiskey Fest — 10,000 attendees (vaccination status unknown, but Umatilla County has a 50% vaccination rate) — 96 post-event cases (a 0.9% case rate or nearly 1 in 100).
Rolling Stone Magazine has an excellent discussion of the topic here.
As always, we’re going to leave you with some fun. ESPN has had some strange programming over the years. I mean, is poker a sport, or is it whatever the opposite of a sport is? But this here is a wonderfully strange programming choice that will have everyone’s tails wagging.
Take care,
Baskin Clinic