Medical Professors Say Vaccines Proving Effective More Vaccinations Necessary to Combat Delta Variant Spread and New Variants By Theresa Ho
In September, the CDC reported that 63.5% of the total U.S. population had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine while 54.2% of the total U.S. population was fully vaccinated. According to the CDC, the United States is seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases in most of the country following a surge of the Delta variant and continued low vaccination coverage in many communities. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reported that 83% of Coloradans currently hospitalized for COVID-19 are unvaccinated.
Combining Science, Faith and Community to Combat COVID-19
Dr. Oveta Fuller is an associate professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Michigan Medical School.
Her research team has explored the molecular mechanisms of entry into cells of human pathogenic viruses and how such viruses cause disease. She is part of the FDA advisory committee that has reviewed the three COVID-19 vaccines used in the United States. During an interview that began on the phone and continued over email, Fuller discussed coronavirus, the COVID-19 vaccine, and working with communities to address health disparities. Fuller explained that the amazing feat of scientific research to develop and distribute COVID-19 vaccines occurred because of unprecedented cooperation between scientists, the government and regulatory agencies during a time of pandemic. “They came together with resources from each – some brought research funding, some had studied the spike protein of other coronaviruses, and some had studied messenger RNA carrier technology and how to package materials for stability. These came together with the provision of upfront funding so that researchers could make a full throttle effort without knowing if the approaches taken would work. We are so grateful for the high vaccine protection against disease,” she said. The only thing that differs from what usually occurs, Fuller said, was the ability to document the longer-term vaccine effects. “In the midst of much loss of life, we did not have that luxury,” she said. She added that negative effects from vaccines emerge usually within the first weeks or months after vaccination. There is no precedence or reason these COVID-19 vaccines will differ. Fuller is not convinced, however, that currently available data support a need for everyone to get a booster shot.
Denver Urban Spectrum — www.denverurbanspectrum.com – October 2021
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She explained that the data provided in the recent Pfizer application for licensing of an immune boosting third dose were not as extensive as the results from the clinical trials of the original application in December 2020. Evidence to support a third dose was presented from the Minister of Health of Israel. They are using a third injection of Pfizer vaccine as a booster strategy to combat illness from a surge of the Delta virus variant. “Their data indicated that antibody levels were lower before they started giving the booster to older people who were becoming ill from infection by the Delta virus variant. With the third dose, primed immune systems responded with stronger protection. Hospitalizations and deaths in Israel now are decreasing,” Fuller said. “But, there’s a huge difference between Israel and the U.S. First, Israel’s vaccination level of those over 12 years was high. Secondly, they only used Pfizer vaccine in Israel, so providing a boost also of Pfizer was simpler for everyone. We have three different vaccines and just over 54% of the U.S.A. population fully vaccinated. This means over 40% of our population is not vaccinated. These are very different circumstances. Third, Israel is a highly homogenous country with extensive health care and a younger population. The U.S.A. is a highly heterogeneous country with an older population. It’s almost like comparing apples to oranges, or perhaps apples and cucumbers. The features are very different.” The advisory committee did not think there was compelling evidence yet for waning immunity in the U.S. to suggest that every person currently needs a booster. Thus, the application to license Pfizer for a third dose for those 16 and older was not recommended for approval. Instead, the committee recommended emergency use author-
