In The News

by Stephen Schleicher, MD

Cases of COVID, fueled by transmission of both the delta and omicron stains, are spiking in multiple states. According to the New York Times data base, more than 120,000 new cases are reported in the US each day. This is more than a 70% increase from November. And to date 800,000 Americans have died from COVID, a figure that might reach 1 million by mid spring.

Unfortunately, we now know that two vaccinations of the two most widely distributed vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer) are not enough. For this reason, health authorities are advising that all Americans who are eligible — those 16 and older who received their second Pfizer or Moderna vaccine dose at least six months ago— get a booster. And get it now. The same holds true for those who have received the singledose Johnson & Johnson shot at least two months ago.

The good news is that Pfizer has developed a pill to combat COVID. Preliminary data suggests that this medication will prevent nearly 90% of hospitalizations and deaths in high-risk patients. And the pill seems to be effective against the omicron variant.

Will we need yet another booster down the road? Stay tuned. COVID isn’t going away anytime soon.