After President Joe Biden had effectively advised Americans to get COVID-19 booster shot off-the-books, health officials finally gave their approval. Unfortunately, there’s still plenty of confusion about who needs boosters, when they should get them, and how recipients of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine should approach the whole matter.
Let’s get started with what we do know. A panel of experts from the FDA recommended Thursday a half dose Moderna booster shot to people older than 65 years or those with other health conditions. The same group was given permission last month to have a booster shot with BioNTech/Pfizer. The same panel will meet on Friday to discuss possible boosters for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
The vote on Thursday isn’t the same as the FDA’s full approval of Moderna booster shots. This is because it’s not possible for federal government to approve vaccines in a timely manner. It also limits the access of home testing kits and made other mistakes during the pandemic. As you can see, however. The New York TimesThe FDA generally follows its panel recommendations. It is likely to approve the full application “within days”. No rush, fellas.
Are you not 65 years old or are at risk of developing COVID? You should go with your gut because there is no official guidance. When the FDA approved booster shots of the Pfizer vaccine last month, it and the CDC disagreed about whether people in certain occupations—like service sector jobs that might require meeting lots of people face to face—should get boosters. Rochelle Walensky from the CDC contradicted her team and voted for the FDA. Unofficially, she advised those in high-risk jobs to obtain a booster shot.
Perhaps the message will be clearer this time when the FDA issues its guidance regarding Moderna boosters. But don’t expect too much.
There’s also confusion about what Johnson & Johnson vaccine recipients should do—some of which might be cleared up by today’s meeting, but, again, don’t expect much. Unlike the Pfizer and Moderna shots, which use mRNA, the Johnson & Johnson jab is based on old-school antivirus tech: It contains a weakened version of the virus to teach your body’s immune system how to combat the real thing. The roughly 15 million Americans who got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine received just a single shot, as opposed to the double dose required for Pfizer and Moderna.
Some people are confused by this and wonder what next. Should Johnson & Johnson recipients seek out Pfizer or Moderna booster shots? Are they being dangerous?
The National Institutes of Health published Wednesday a study that found mixing and matching of vaccines such as this is perfectly acceptable. CNBC Reports:
Researchers said that there were no side effects from the extra shots. There was no need to worry about any new symptoms after receiving the booster shots. Two participants vomited after their boosters; one had received Moderna and the other J&J. Two other people who got a J&J booster reported fatigue or insomnia.
Researchers wrote that the data suggested that, regardless of which primary Covid-19 vaccine regimen is used to boost immunity, a vaccine could be approved. To maximize protection with the currently available vaccines, heterologous prime boost strategies might offer some immunological benefits.
But don’t expect the FDA to weigh in on these important questions when its panel meets Friday to discuss the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The FDA panel appears to be content with deciding on J. & J. recipients should receive a J. & J. booster,” writes the TimesDavid Leonhardt. It is just the latest instance of a Covid problem. Government officials are prone to following pre-existing bureaucratic procedures, even though it can lead to public confusion and other counterproductive behaviors.
FREE MINDS
The return to normalcy Gallup’s latest poll found that most Americans would rather the government take a more passive role in their daily lives. This is a change from the last survey, which showed greater support for solving problems by the government.
All parties are now less likely than they were a year ago, to support a greater government role. However, independents’ views have changed most. The pollsters found that in 2020 56 percent of independents desired the government to be more active in solving problems than 38 percent. The pollsters note that independents have shifted to a less active role in government today, compared with the time when 45% of those surveyed wanted it.
Free Markets
In September, consumer spending rose by 0.7% The Commerce Department made the announcement Friday morning. The Commerce Department announced Friday morning that the announcement was a clear signal that Americans have not been affected by continuing supply chain issues and rising inflation as well as the persisting pandemic. The Wall Street Journal These are reports.
QUICK HITS
• In an effort to woo Sen. Joe Manchin (D–W.Va.) Democrats could make coal-fired plants eligible to receive green energy grants if they vote for reconciliation bill $3.5 trillion.
• A Los Angeles city councilman who has championed a banThis week, federal corruption was brought up against flavored vapes.
• Robert Durst, who unintentionally admitted to murdering Susan Berman during filming for an HBO documentary about his life, was sentenced to life in prison.
• Journalists discovered that Missouri was putting teachers’ private information at risk online. You can guess what followed:
Holy shit. Journalists found that a Missouri gov’t agency’s incompetence exposed personal info (SSNs) of educators across the state, and disclosed the breach to the state… and the governor’s response is that he WANTS TO PROSECUTE THE JOURNALISTS.
What the heck?! https://t.co/Liy20Jioqc
— Mike Masnick (@mmasnick) October 14, 2021
• A attempt to save America’s only barrier reef from a strange, deadly disease.
• The big question no one is asking about America’s supply chain issues:
This was sent to me by a friend. All I could think of was
It’s a YES!Yes! pic.twitter.com/XhZgehsksE
— Chad P. Bown (@ChadBown) October 14, 2021