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S02-15: COVID-19 Vaccines: What Does the Future Hold?
We did it all. We social distanced, masked, got vaccinated, masked some more, and got boosted. But still, with Omicron -- a much more contagious variant spreading like wildfire -- infections are at an all-time high.
There remain more than 100 different vaccines in human trials and development for COVID-19, from protein subunits to inactivated coronavirus vaccines, as well as another 70-plus in animal trials.
So, is boosting with our existing authorized vaccines going to be our "new normal?" Or,
Recent Episodes
Jan. 4, 2022
S02-15: COVID-19 Vaccines: What Does the Future Hold?
We did it all. We social distanced, masked, got vaccinated, masked some more, and got boosted. But still, with Omicron -- a much more contagious variant spreading like wildfire -- infections are at an all-time high.There remain more than 100 different vaccines in human trials and development for COVID-19, from protein subunits to inactivated coronavirus vaccines, as well as another 70-plus in animal trials.So, is boosting with our existing authorized vaccines going to be our "new normal?" Or,
Dec. 28, 2021
S02-14: How Do We Treat Long COVID?
Millions of Americans are experiencing chronic, lingering, and debilitating symptoms months after recovering from COVID-19. The symptoms of so-called long COVID range from breathing problems to memory impairment, making it difficult for clinicians to pinpoint the syndrome and who may be at highest risk.The NIH has directed $1 billion toward studying the syndrome, and some hospitals, including pediatric hospitals, have opened centers to research and care for patients experiencing long COVID.On
Dec. 21, 2021
S02-13: Under the Microscope: How Sequencing Plays Pandemic Detective
The longer the COVID-19 epidemic persists the more likely we are to see more super-spreader events, even among those vaccinated, and possibly by variants not yet identified.Health experts have already worked to help prevent and treat COVID – but say there's more we need to do to track individual cases and community spread.On this week's episode, John Connor, MD, an associate professor and researcher at the National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories at Boston University, joins us to exp
Dec. 14, 2021
S02-12: What to Expect When We're Expecting More Omicron Cases
Omicron has reached the U.S., and widespread vaccination may not be enough to keep the new variant from spreading. The variant is expected to outpace Delta in the coming weeks, with more than 30 states having now reported a case.On this week's episode, Abraar Karan, MD, MPH, an infectious disease physician at Stanford University, joins us to explain all we know -- and still don't -- when it comes to this new variant.
Dec. 7, 2021
S02-11: Psychological Barriers May Lead to COVID Vaccine Refusal
wo years into the COVID-19 pandemic -- and 1 year after vaccines first became available -- there are still those who are opting out of getting vaccinated.Deep distrust in government and science are among the reasons that some are continuing to hold out on the shots. But experts suggest that there are psychological barriers that may have nothing to do with mistrust. To understand all of the factors at play, we need to first recognize how the mind processes the act of making a decision -- whether
Nov. 30, 2021
S02-10: Does a Past COVID Infection Protect Just as Well as Vaccines?
COVID booster shots are now recommended for millions of Americans, prompting questions on why immunity acquired from the vaccines is waning so soon.Anthony Fauci, MD, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has hinted that periodic booster shots against COVID are likely here to stay, and may redefine what it means to be "fully vaccinated."While natural immunity from previous COVID infection is of scientific interest, it's also a political talking point that some
Recent Blog Posts
Sept. 27, 2021
Returning for Season 2
It was a global race that led to the largest mass vaccination campaign in American history. What comes after a COVID-19 vaccine? Track the Vax, a weekly podcast from MedPage Today, returns for Season 2 to continue to examine the 'New Normal" …
June 9, 2021
To Boost or Not? A Question-- Without An Answer
It has had a bit of mixed messaging. From pharmaceutical executives mapping out a timeline (September) for when a Covid-19 vaccine booster may be needed, to others saying it is possible we never need one. The question of when or even I…
June 2, 2021
India? Brazil? South Africa? Covid Surges Continue Globally
In the United States it may feel like life is getting back to ‘normal.’BBQ, basketball games and concerts have begun again. But globally, it’s a different story. Even as Dr. Anthony Fauci warns not to celebrate prema…