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New Moderna BA.1 variant vaccine approved for use in UK. We will likely see BA.4 and BA.5 omicron subvariant versions here as U.S. FDA wants the latter versions included in any vaccine submitted for their approval.
Medical Mythbusting Commentary for August 16, 2022 Source:New COVID-19 booster targeting Omicron, original variants approved in U.K.
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Moderna reports on successful development of variant-specific updates to its vaccine.
Medical Mythbusting Commentary for April 20, 2022 Source:Moderna says new booster plus original shot provides better COVID-19 protection
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Omicron subvariant BA.2 reported in Canada. General consensus is that more information is required before any conclusions are drawn. So in short, no change to public health recommendations.
Medical Mythbusting Commentary for January 27, 2022 Source:Omicron subvariant BA.2 reported in Canada: PHAC
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Sunday House Call, #820, December 19, 2021: Steps and Hurdles
What else but Omicron today. Your questions answered and the steps to be taken over the next few weeks. Your calls about: Caller updates us on injection site inflammation after her second dose Shingles vaccine. All is well. Resolved on its own. A mom calls to say her 22 yo daughter has COVID. Mom has…
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Although bronchial lung tissue culture study showed Omicron grew 70x faster than Delta, it cannot be extrapolated to potential clinical outcomes. Lagging clinical indicators will arrive shortly to answer questions pertaining to severity of illness.
Medical Mythbusting Commentary for December 16, 2021 Source:Omicron found to grow 70 times faster than Delta in bronchial tissue
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The talk of Omicron causing milder disease is premature. There’s still not enough data to draw broad conclusions about hospitalizations and the severity of disease caused by Omicron. Answers will come soon.
Medical Mythbusting Commentary for December 15, 2021 Source:Data indicates Omicron is milder, better at evading vaccines
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Omicron set to become the dominant strain in Ontario within the week. Third dose policy must change to include 18+ now and not in January given rates of exponential growth.
Medical Mythbusting Commentary for December 14, 2021 Source:Ontario sees 1,536 new COVID cases, estimated 30.8% caused by omicron variant
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Initial Omicron data released. Small study from South Africa. Pfizer jumps in with theirs today. Many questions about clinical efficacy remain. Answers will come soon.
Medical Mythbusting Commentary for December 8, 2021 Source:COVID-19: Antibodies from Pfizer vaccine may be up to 40 times less effective against Omicron, first lab tests suggest Reference:Omicron Not Wholly Evading Pfizer COVID Vaccine in Study Gives Scientists Cause for Hope
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Growing evidence that omicron variant is capable of spreading rapidly in populations with immunity against other coronavirus variants. Big unknown for the next week or so is whether it more or less likely to cause severe disease and deaths.
Medical Mythbusting Commentary for December , 2021 Source:Omicron Looks Set To Cause A Huge Wave Of Covid-19 Around The World – New Scientist