General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsIsrael EXPANDS Booster Shots
Heard earlier on the BBC that Israel has lowered the age for booster shots down to 50 from 60, and added in healthcare workers, in addition to their initial round of immunocompromised people.
LisaL
(44,962 posts)What gives? Vast majority of our vaccinated also got Pfizer (like Israel).
No way our immunity should last longer than in Israel.
WHITT
(2,868 posts)For some screwy reason, they are reluctant to start boosters because they think the unvaccinated will be even more resistant to get vaccinated if they learn they will need to get a third shot. The ironic part is if they had gotten vaccinated when they were supposed to, nobody would have needed a third shot, plus we likely could have headed off the Delta variant.
As the Gov of New Jersey called them, KNUCKLEHEADS !
LisaL
(44,962 posts)Give boosters to people who want them.
Don't punished vaxxed for the un-vaxxed. Don't make our infection rates even worse than they are now, by delaying boosters.
We were told from the start vaccines won't last forever, and we are likely to need boosters.
luv2fly
(2,475 posts)Best I can tell, there are no data at this time supporting the need for widespread boosters other than for those who have underlying issues. The world is interdependent, and given that many variants crop up in other countries, we have a moral obligation to ensure people who want the vaccine in other countries but have been unable to receive it get their shots first
And yet, having read other threads, I know I will be told I am wrong. "Me first" is a common attitude it seems.
LisaL
(44,962 posts)Our infection rates are skyrocketing. The breakthrough infections are also increasing.
luv2fly
(2,475 posts)Science creates data.
You think Israel's science is different from ours?
The effectiveness of the Pfizer vaccine has dropped from about 96% to 83%, and continues to slide. Not good against the more aggressive Delta variant. There's conflicting reporting on Moderna, Delta or not, and when.
luv2fly
(2,475 posts)Tetanus, flu shots, etc, they all wane over time. I'm simply waiting for the data that guides us in the need for boosters and, probably more importantly, just when. Until that point, when other people in other countries who want the vaccine can't get it, there's a moral obligation to help them do so before we get boosters that are not supported by data.
WHITT
(2,868 posts)If the effectiveness drops much more, we'll start seeing some dead older folks. The rising numbers of breakthroughs should be enough for the CDC to start moving.
Actually, yesterday? during a discussion of boosters, Fauci started to say something like - we're already ready, we're just waiting... then he stopped.
Things may accelerate once the FDA goes from EUA to licensed status in a few weeks.
luv2fly
(2,475 posts)By and large, vaccinated Americans are doing well. Very well. Much of the rest of the world waits for their first shot.
1) You're looking in the rear view mirror.
2) Biden has already stated that we have plenty of vaccines for boosters AND for our share of donations to the rest of the world, and what will be required for boosters is miniscule compared to the billions of vaccines we're already scheduled to donate to the rest of the planet.
It's a misplaced argument.
luv2fly
(2,475 posts)While some clamor for more.
Enjoy the day!
Haggard Celine
(16,820 posts)Those of us who got their shots rather early are worried if the shot has lost it's efficacy by now. Weren't they only good for six months?
Response to WHITT (Original post)
womanofthehills This message was self-deleted by its author.
womanofthehills
(8,579 posts)Heres how many breakthrough cases have occurred in Mass.
The state had seen 9,969 COVID-19 cases in fully vaccinated individuals as of Aug. 7, according to the Department of Public Health.
(A few weeks ago, this number was 5000 - so breakthroughs are increasing)
LisaL
(44,962 posts)"The state health department said 445 of those 9,969 cases resulted in hospitalization and 106 cases resulted in death based on information reported to date."
https://www.wcvb.com/article/massachusetts-breakthrough-covid-19-cases-update-august-10-2021/37273087#
BGBD
(3,282 posts)they should be lining up the 40% of their population that hasn't take the first shot yet.
Considering the other authoritarian things Israel has done, it's hard to believe mandatory vaccination would be crossing the line. Same goes for the US and pretty much every other nation in the world.
We'll move beyond COVID as a thing that people think about when we get the guts to start telling people that you livlihood and ability to live as part of society are dependent on being vaccinated. That's going to be up to businesses to tell people you can't work without it. Up to schools to tell people their kids can't come without it.
LisaL
(44,962 posts)In addition, the un-vaxxed include children under 12, for whom there are no vaccines.
BGBD
(3,282 posts)getting COVID isn't nearly the concern as unvaccinated people. The data is extremely clear here. Breakthrough cases are always going to happen. The only things that actually matter is outcomes.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/08/10/us/covid-breakthrough-infections-vaccines.html
Vaccinated and unvaccinated people are not equal in terms of risk and we shouldn't pretend that they are.
And vaccination for under 12 is likely going to be happening in the short term. We're talking a timeline of weeks, not months, from shots starting into little arms.
LisaL
(44,962 posts)So getting covid doesn't just concern un-vaccinated people.
"According to Health Ministry figures, the number of serious COVID cases rose on Wednesday to 400, the highest figure since March. About 150 of these patients are not fully vaccinated. Israel hit its highest number of serious cases in January, with 1,200 patients about half of the number predicted for next month."
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-braces-for-4-800-serious-covid-cases-four-times-the-country-s-record-1.10108505