earlier...
>Omicron ("O") is HIGHLY transmissible...party in Oslo, Norway...111 attendees at a restaurant...80 came down with "O"...all vaccinated (not boosted??)...but NO hospitalizations
>Only one monoclonal anti-body treatment effective (Sotrovimab/S309)...all others, near zero effect on "O"
(*) Current "Full Vaccination" condition (i.e. 2 doses of mRNA) affords near zero protection from transmission...Booster shot restores to ~75% (Pfizer)...very important to get "Boosted" for "O".
(*) Natural Immunity no longer exists with "O"...HOWEVER...if vaccinated after COVID infection, then patient becomes "Super Immune"...very good protection.
>20% higher risk of hospitalization for children with "O"...concerning...
>What to do?...
- Get Vaccinated...GET BOOSTED!
- Act more cautiously (masking, social distancing, etc.)
(*) Oral treatment pill (i.e. Pfizer's PAXLOVID) is a "Game Changer" once approved...need to get patients in therapy ASAP,
>Each of the Grand Rounds ID Docs uses home COVID testing...especially for holiday gatherings...Ok to gather w/o masks IF...all attendees are vaccinated and boosted...have been tested shortly before entry to the gathering...must have a negative test to attend...if feeling 'unwell', e.g. scratchy throat, cough, malaise, etc....DON'T ATTEND...even with a negative test.