Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #112

[Gemmie]

Pretty interesting study for the elderly population.

A study of COVID-19 patients from 33 states found that those aged 70 and older were less likely to be classified as having long COVID compared with younger adults, US researchers reported earlier this month in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

Some symptoms less discriminating in older adults​

When the researchers looked at raw symptom frequency by infection/age strata, they found that, in participants 60 years or older both with and without prior infection, any symptoms, including problems with hearing and chest and joint pains, were less discriminating for long COVID in older adults, as they readily occurred in both older participants with and without prior infection, particularly in people 70 and older.

"Within the limits of this observational study, we conclude that in community-dwelling older adults, aging alters the prevalence and pattern of reported Long COVID," the authors concluded.

More at the link: Older adults less likely to be classified as having long COVID, study finds

 

[dmac55]

RFK Jr.'s advisory panel drops broad COVID vaccine recommendation https://www.axios.com/2025/09/19/covid-vaccine-vote-cdc-recommendations

 

[JennieM]

US vaccine panel no longer recommends Covid-19 jab to adults​

A key US vaccine advisory committee has voted to stop recommending all adults get the Covid-19 vaccine, which has until now been officially approved for most Americans annually since the pandemic.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (Acip) also narrowly voted against advocating prescriptions for the Covid vaccine.

[…]

Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, a vaccine sceptic, fired all 17 members of the committee in June and handpicked their successors, sparking uproar in the medical community.

[…]

Acip voted to abandon broad support for recommending the jab, including for high-risk populations like people aged over 65.

Instead it decided they could make their own decision after talking with a medical professional.

In May, the federal government stopped recommending Covid-19 vaccines for healthy pregnant women and children.

US vaccine panel no longer recommends Covid-19 jab to adults

The panel has also changed its recommendation on the MMRV vaccine and delayed a vote on the hepatitis B jab.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Auntie Cipation]

Thanks, @Warwick1991! My local CVS is brand new and still stocking the shelves as we speak. They think they are getting Pfizer and they only go with one brand, not carry multiple.

I let my feet do the walking (A play on letting your fingers do the walking through the yellow pages and making phone calls). I drove around town and went in to speak directly to staff. I found it at Walmart and a local pharmacy. I'll be getting it from the local pharmacy when I can make an appt. They only make enough appts for the amount in stock. I have to wait till next week to call back to see if they got it in, and then they'll make an appt with me.

It's interesting to see what they are stocking. Some it's only Pfizer, some Moderna, but only Spikevax, and others carry multiple brands AND both Spikevax and mNEXSPIKE.

Getting there! Hope to at least make an appt next week! I feel SO much relief after this whole mess. And boy was it a mess. I don't need to tell you guys!

I'm glad to know there is a Pfizer version of the new covid vax. I had my usual unpleasant side effects from the Moderna SpikeVax shot -- a day and a half of slight fever, chills, and general weakness. I'm feeling back to myself tonight, and knew those side effects were likely, a well-accepted risk. But if this is the formulation for 2025 and 2026 (meaning no new vaccine until 2027?) then I will be getting three more of these, and I will do what I can to get the Pfizer version which I seem to have no side effects from. Or maybe will get Novavax if I can find it, though I don't know it has ever been offered in my area.

 

[dmac55]

9/17/2025
COVID shot: The access rules in your state https://www.axios.com/2025/09/19/covid-shot-rules-prescription-state-us

 

[303gmf]

9/17/2025
COVID shot: The access rules in your state https://www.axios.com/2025/09/19/covid-shot-rules-prescription-state-us

What a descriptive photo of how divided the US is

 

[Warwick1991]

My local CVS has the mNEXSPIKE vaccine, but I would like the Pfizer vaccine to avoid the strong reactions that family members have had. All of my Covid vaccines have been Pfizer. So far, no luck in finding a Pfizer vaccine.

Walgreens has no Covid vaccines in this state. It looks like I'll be forced to get the mNEXSPIKE.

 

[Gemmie]

I'm glad to know there is a Pfizer version of the new covid vax. I had my usual unpleasant side effects from the Moderna SpikeVax shot -- a day and a half of slight fever, chills, and general weakness. I'm feeling back to myself tonight, and knew those side effects were likely, a well-accepted risk.

Not sure your age, Auntie (over 65), or if you have any health risks, but Moderna's mNEXSPIKE that I've been talking about and seeking MIGHT do the trick. I say MIGHT because I haven't had it yet.

Here's what I know.... it's a lower dosage so it MIGHT be easier on folks side effect-wise. Lower dosage because it targets certain parts of the spike protein, instead of the entire spike protein (all talked about previously in this thread. Only mentioning that since I don't have easy access to the links I've posted.)

But if this is the formulation for 2025 and 2026 (meaning no new vaccine until 2027?)

No. All vaccine names are for the current year (since it comes out in the fall) and for the next year (since a lot get their vaccines every 6 mo). Then in September/fall of 2026, it will be called the 2026/2027 vaccine, and so on. NOT to be mistaken for the mNEXSPIKE vax I mentioned above (for over 65 or with health risks).

mNEXSPIKE is new this year so it targets the same variants, it's just formulated a little differently than the formula that anyone can get as I explained above.

then I will be getting three more of these, and I will do what I can to get the Pfizer version which I seem to have no side effects from. Or maybe will get Novavax if I can find it, though I don't know it has ever been offered in my area.

Don't blame me if it doesn't work out this way... but just a guess that mNEXSPIKE MIGHT not be as hard on folks because as I said, it's a lesser dose. I'll know (for myself) in a week or 2 when I get it. I'll report back.

The innovative design of mNexspike allows for a much lower dose, about one-fifth of the dosage used in the current vaccine (Spikevax), a reduction achieved by refining the vaccine’s target to elicit a more focused immune response.

The vaccine is not a replacement for the current Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. The lower-dose vaccine is intended to be a second option.

Moderna’s new lower-dose COVID-19 vaccine approved by FDA

Medical Express Moderna’s new vaccine (mNexspike [COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA]) represents a significant step forward in the development of next-generation coronavirus vaccines, the&nbsp…

www.unmc.edu

 

[otto]

Not sure your age, Auntie (over 65), or if you have any health risks, but Moderna's mNEXSPIKE that I've been talking about and seeking MIGHT do the trick. I say MIGHT because I haven't had it yet.

Here's what I know.... it's a lower dosage so it MIGHT be easier on folks side effect-wise. Lower dosage because it targets certain parts of the spike protein, instead of the entire spike protein (all talked about previously in this thread. Only mentioning that since I don't have easy access to the links I've posted.)

No. All vaccine names are for the current year (since it comes out in the fall) and for the next year (since a lot get their vaccines every 6 mo). Then in September/fall of 2026, it will be called the 2026/2027 vaccine, and so on. NOT to be mistaken for the mNEXSPIKE vax I mentioned above (for over 65 or with health risks).

mNEXSPIKE is new this year so it targets the same variants, it's just formulated a little differently than the formula that anyone can get as I explained above.

Don't blame me if it doesn't work out this way... but just a guess that mNEXSPIKE MIGHT not be as hard on folks because as I said, it's a lesser dose. I'll know (for myself) in a week or 2 when I get it. I'll report back.

The innovative design of mNexspike allows for a much lower dose, about one-fifth of the dosage used in the current vaccine (Spikevax), a reduction achieved by refining the vaccine’s target to elicit a more focused immune response.

The vaccine is not a replacement for the current Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. The lower-dose vaccine is intended to be a second option.

Moderna’s new lower-dose COVID-19 vaccine approved by FDA

Medical Express Moderna’s new vaccine (mNexspike [COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA]) represents a significant step forward in the development of next-generation coronavirus vaccines, the&nbsp…

www.unmc.edu

It wouldn't be the first time in history that much stronger dosage is used in the beginning, and then it's discovered that a lower dose works equally well. If it was available in Canada, I would choose the mNEXSPIKE vaccine simply because it is lower dose, more targeted, and appears to be equally effective.

At this time, no one is going to admit that the initial dosage was over-kill with some serious side effects. The gradual introduction of lower dose vaccines will demonstrate whether much lower doses are both safer and equally effective.

Example of initial dose that had serious side effects, followed by a lower dose that was equally effective:

"The first oral contraceptive preparations [1960] contained 100 to 175 µg of estrogen and 10 mg of progesterone. At this dose, significant adverse effects were seen, including increased risk for venous thromboembolism. However, the modern pill contains only 30 to 50 µg of estrogen and 0.3 to 1 mg of progesterone, and at this lower dose, many of the concerns about adverse effects have been allayed"

History of Oral Contraception

Little-known medical trivia.

journalofethics.ama-assn.org

 

[Auntie Cipation]

Not sure your age, Auntie (over 65), or if you have any health risks, but Moderna's mNEXSPIKE that I've been talking about and seeking MIGHT do the trick. I say MIGHT because I haven't had it yet.

Here's what I know.... it's a lower dosage so it MIGHT be easier on folks side effect-wise. Lower dosage because it targets certain parts of the spike protein, instead of the entire spike protein (all talked about previously in this thread. Only mentioning that since I don't have easy access to the links I've posted.)

No. All vaccine names are for the current year (since it comes out in the fall) and for the next year (since a lot get their vaccines every 6 mo). Then in September/fall of 2026, it will be called the 2026/2027 vaccine, and so on. NOT to be mistaken for the mNEXSPIKE vax I mentioned above (for over 65 or with health risks).

mNEXSPIKE is new this year so it targets the same variants, it's just formulated a little differently than the formula that anyone can get as I explained above.

Don't blame me if it doesn't work out this way... but just a guess that mNEXSPIKE MIGHT not be as hard on folks because as I said, it's a lesser dose. I'll know (for myself) in a week or 2 when I get it. I'll report back.

The innovative design of mNexspike allows for a much lower dose, about one-fifth of the dosage used in the current vaccine (Spikevax), a reduction achieved by refining the vaccine’s target to elicit a more focused immune response.

The vaccine is not a replacement for the current Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. The lower-dose vaccine is intended to be a second option.

Moderna’s new lower-dose COVID-19 vaccine approved by FDA

Medical Express Moderna’s new vaccine (mNexspike [COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA]) represents a significant step forward in the development of next-generation coronavirus vaccines, the&nbsp…

www.unmc.edu

Ah! Thanks, @Gemmie, for setting me straight about the use of two years in the label. That makes sense.

I'm 63, but bottom line I took what my pharmacy had (they told me this was the *only* formulation they had) because I wanted to get it before the ACIP meeting potentially came out with stricter restrictions. I'm in California so I had high confidence that I would still be allowed to get it regardless of ACIP, but I wanted to take no chances.

If it weren't for the rush due to ACIP, I would have waited to see whether the other pharmacy or my local clinic might have offered either the Pfizer version, or the mNEXspike, or even Novavax. Assuming there is no similar political/administrative threat come next spring, I will seek one of these other formulations if possible.

 

[Gemmie]

It wouldn't be the first time in history that much stronger dosage is used in the beginning, and then it's discovered that a lower dose works equally well. If it was available in Canada, I would choose the mNEXSPIKE vaccine simply because it is lower dose, more targeted, and appears to be equally effective.

BBMFF

It's actually MORE effective than their (Moderna's) Spikevax. Hence me seeking it out for that reason. Also that it's a lower dose and more targeted. I'm really excited about getting it. First time I've ever been this excited about getting jabbed by a needle since I'm nearly a Trypanophobia (person that fears needles. Had a VERY bad experience with a MEAN dentist when I was a young child).

mNEXSPIKE showed a 9.3% higher relative vaccine efficacy compared to Spikevax.

mNEXSPIKE® Relative Efficacy | Info for HCPs

Learn about the clinical trial results for mNEXSPIKE® (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA)

products.modernatx.com

 

[Stunned]

No prescription needed any longer for over 65 in NC! Thank you Gov. Stein!

 

[Gemmie]

I even had posted Michael Oleson's quote on my facebook page:

LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He is SPOT on!!!!

 

[Auntie Cipation]

No prescription needed any longer for over 65 in NC any longer! Thank you Gov. Stein!

Great news!

And it reminded me, I should add this bit to my anecdote:

The pharmacy where I got the vax is the same pharmacy where I get my other prescriptions, and I am signed up to receive text reminders when my refills are available.

When I went to get the shot, I was early and sat waiting in the lobby. Shortly before they called me, I got one of their standard texts saying my prescription was ready. Though obviously no doctor had seen me to prescribe it, so there must be some kind of statewide "treat it as if everyone has been prescribed the vaccine" direction in California. Thank you Gov. Newsom!

 

[Auntie Cipation]

LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He is SPOT on!!!!

He is definitely worth following on whatever social media you partake in.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Thanks for all the recent Covid vaccine information. I have to admit that I'm becoming a bit anxious about flying to Fort Lauderdale and embarking a cruise ship for 10 nights in late January, then sitting at the Fort Lauderdale airport for a couple of hours after disembarking the ship. Final payment for the cruise isn't due until the end of October, so we could cancel if it looks like it's going to be a "sick" fall and winter. We'll get our flu shots in the next week or two, postpone Covid shot until mid-to-late November.

 

[Gemmie]

He is definitely worth following on whatever social media you partake in.

I'm not on any SM. Do you have a FB link? I can look at a few posts before they slam the door in my face, but only if they are set to Public or I can't see anything.

 

[Auntie Cipation]

I'm not on any SM. Do you have a FB link? I can look at a few posts before they slam the door in my face, but only if they are set to Public or I can't see anything.

facebook:

Log in or sign up to view

See posts, photos and more on Facebook.

www.facebook.com

Log into Facebook (same group, but this is the link to the group itself, rather than him as admin)

I don't find him on twitter but here is his account on Bluesky: Michael Olesen (@molesen.bsky.social)

If you want my other follow recommendations regarding covid, just let me know. It will take a while but I'm happy to share. I've spent the last five years curating my follow sources!

I doubt any of these are private or need an account to see. It's just easier for me to have an account and click "follow" than to remember everyone I want to see.

DEFINITELY don't download the apps -- instead, use browsers for both facebook and bluesky! Preferably a different browser than you use for email, purchases, etc, to minimize fb snooping at your private info. That's just me though.

Edit: Darn, it looks like the fb group might not be visible without an account. Try it and let me know?

Second edit: I tried it myself -- the link to him as admin requires a fb acct but the link to see the group posts does not! Just dismiss the login request and you should see the group posts.

 

[Gemmie]

It wouldn't be the first time in history that much stronger dosage is used in the beginning, and then it's discovered that a lower dose works equally well. If it was available in Canada, I would choose the mNEXSPIKE vaccine simply because it is lower dose, more targeted, and appears to be equally effective.

At this time, no one is going to admit that the initial dosage was over-kill with some serious side effects. The gradual introduction of lower dose vaccines will demonstrate whether much lower doses are both safer and equally effective.

Moderna's mNEXSPIKE lower dose vaccine is because of a formula change. It targets certain parts of the spike protein, not the entire spike protein. They didn't change the dosage for their Spikevax formula. It's the same dose, it just gets updated every fall for what's currently(ish) going around.

As pioneers in mRNA technology, the Moderna team feels a strong responsibility to obsess over innovation, tirelessly working to improve the science behind our products to reduce disease burden and ultimately advance public health. Since the beginning, we’ve rejected the idea of complacency as there’s always another advancement to pursue.

mNEXSPIKE is a prime example of that pursuit. Our vaccine innovation in COVID-19 didn’t stop after the invention of our mRNA-1273 vaccine early in January 2020. Instead, we continued to iterate on its design. With the benefit of years of real-world data and a deeper understanding of the virus, we explored if alternative vaccine design strategies could be more effective. mNEXSPIKE was born from this continued push for excellence. Its streamlined vaccine design aims to target key parts of the spike protein rather than the entire spike protein, and at a lower dose.

Introducing mNEXSPIKE: Moderna’s New COVID-19 Vaccine

Introducing mNEXSPIKE: Moderna’s New COVID-19 Vaccine

www.modernatx.com

 

[weepingangel]

Steve Martin Diagnosed with COVID, Cancels Shows with Martin Short

Steve Martin cancels two upcoming Virginia shows with Martin Short after testing positive for COVID

variety.com