Friday Q&A: More COVID Queries!
🦠 Answering your burning questions 🦠
ICYMI 👉
Question #1 (about COVID boosters) is free for everyone. Questions #2-4 (about COVID symptoms; putting COVID risk into context; and fall vaccine timing) are for paid subscribers only.
Click here to submit your questions (about anything) for future Q&A posts!
Disclaimer: The views expressed here are entirely my own. They do not reflect those of my employer, nor are they a substitute for advice from your personal physician.
QUESTION #1: BOOSTERS
Dr. McBride, I love your podcast and your episode with Dr. Gandhi was very informative. There are so many differing studies and papers on Covid and vaccines. My internist says to get the updated vaccine. I have had five and infected twice (its been a year since either). I follow you, Jeremy Faust and Katelyn Jetelina, as you are all so respected in your fields and in public health, and I am still confused! Thank you for all you do! - Jenny
Dear Jenny,
Thank you so much for listening to my conversation with public health expert Monica Gandhi MD MPH. I completely understand why you might be confused! The problem is that there is a wide gap between broad public health advice about boosters and the advice for an individual. The CDC has issued blanket recommendations for boosters, however the risk/benefit ratio for an individual hinges on their age, health conditions, immune function, prior vaccine doses, and history of COVID.
When I’m discussing the booster shot with patients, I remind them that the COVID vaccine’s superpower is its ability to protect against serious disease in high-risk populations—and that the vaccine’s ability to protect against infection is pretty weak and short-lived, lasting from approximately two weeks to two months after the shot.
I also remind them about the power of T cells, the arm of the immune system that is activated by past vaccine doses and prior infections, which offers protection against severe COVID. In other words, just because it’s been a year since your last COVID shot or infection doesn’t means you are unprotected!
The upshot? The individuals who stand to benefit the most from the new omicron-specific booster are those who are at high risk for getting seriously ill from COVID: people who are 65 years and older, immunocompromised, with multiple underlying health conditions and those who have no prior immunity (due to past COVID infections or vaccine doses.)
Vaccine expert and advisor to the FDA, Paul Offit told PBS NewsHour earlier this month, “… the updated booster is not intended for everyone. It’s for people in high-risk groups – those who are age 75 or older, pregnant or immunocompromised. Individuals in this group stand to benefit the most in part because they account for a disproportionate number of COVID hospitalizations and deaths. The general public should not expect to need to receive the latest COVID booster.”
Is Dr. Offit anti-vax? Hardly! Is he negligent about COVID risk? Not a chance! He’s simply being honest about what the COVID shot can and cannot do—and about the wide variability in risk.
Messaging large populations with medical advice is unquestionably challenging. No two people face the same degree of risk for COVID; nor do they have the same tolerance for risk. This is why you will never hear me say in this newsletter things like, “Everyone must get a booster!”
I suggest talking with your doctor about the booster. And know that you are not alone in your confusion! 😉
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QUESTION #2: COVID SYMPTOMS
I had covid two and a half weeks ago. While sick I was totally hoarse, however since recovering I still feel my voice has not gone back to normal. I am a teacher and certain vocal ranges I could get to before are suddenly hard-my voice will crack or become raspy. Could this be a permanent change or can I expect my voice to return to normal? -Rachel
Hi Rachel,
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