The conversation about mixing and matching vaccine types isn’t new but it’s still very important! With vaccine distribution problems and regional vaccine shortages across the globe, the topic of getting one dose of an mRNA-based vaccine and another dose of an Ad-based vaccine, remains pivotal. In this particular publication (The Lancet, August 12th), the immunogenicityContinue reading “Mix & Matching Vaccines”
Author Archives: annickae
Braver, Stronger, Smarter
You are BRAVE, you are STRONG, and you are SMART! 👏Bravery: living life through the worry of a pandemic. 💪Strength: living life with constant risk analysis. 👌Intelligence: living life following the data trail. It’s felt a little heavy on the internet lately and, truthfully, I just needed to post something lighter.
Tracking Variants
So many questions about how we track variants and if a PCR test is able to tell you if you have a Delta infection. @dr.berthahidalgo and I teamed up to walk you through how variants are identified. Key points:1️⃣ PCR testing is effective at telling you if you have COVID-19.2️⃣ Full genome sequencing is able to detectContinue reading “Tracking Variants”
SARS-CoV-2 Taxonomy
Let’s talk virus taxonomy! While this may feel a bit irrelevant this far out from discovery, it never hurts to remember (or learn for the first time) that SARS-CoV-2, while a new virus, is closely related to several other already discovered ones. This information is incredibly useful for our research toward developing a vaccine andContinue reading “SARS-CoV-2 Taxonomy”
Vaccines Reduce Re-infection
In a case series study released yesterday, the data suggests that even if you’ve had COVID-19 before, full vaccination can further reduce your chance of re-infection by about 2! The vaccine is available to everyone at no cost! Even if you’ve already once been infected, strongly consider getting it again to increase your immunity. EspeciallyContinue reading “Vaccines Reduce Re-infection”
Vaccines, No Lockdowns
The widespread lockdowns at the start of the pandemic were hard. Much harder for some than others, and for everyone in slightly different ways. No one wants to do them again. This is gentle reminder that because of highly effective vaccines, we have the opportunity to function as a society during a pandemic! At theContinue reading “Vaccines, No Lockdowns”
Delta in Detail
Delta in Detail! What are the takeaways?🔻 The delta variant is particularly contagious.💉 Vaccines still provide very good protection.😷 Because of the contagiousness, and potential for increase in disease severity, masks are recommended for all when indoors. You may have seen a lot of information being discussed last week about the Delta variant, mostly becauseContinue reading “Delta in Detail”
Connect and Protect
You can be here! A series that captures the duality of our thinking. The fifth post in this series is a reflection on the controversy of masking up during a pandemic. The idea that wearing a mask hinders the ability to connect with friends and family. The idea that relationships cannot be formed or strengthenedContinue reading “Connect and Protect”
Prevented Risk >>> Acquired Risk
The risk of COVID-19 that is prevented by the vaccine is much greater than the risk of serious adverse-events that is acquired by the vaccine. Here is the summary adult risk analysis from the latest ACIP meeting on July 22nd. The numbers of prevented COVID-19 related hospitalization, ICU admission, and death significantly outweighs the numbersContinue reading “Prevented Risk >>> Acquired Risk”
Spirituality and Science
You can be here! A series that captures the duality of our thinking. I collaborated with @fueledbyscience on this post to challenge the separation of spirituality and science. We challenge the notion that those dedicated to evidence-based science can’t believe in a power that is undetectable. We challenge the notion that if you believe inContinue reading “Spirituality and Science”