Summary
January 2025: The winter Covid wave has begun. Although it appears that it will be a smaller wave as compared to prior winters, only time will tell. It might not be a bad idea to wear a mask for indoor public spaces, including while shopping and taking mass transit.
If you haven't gotten a Covid vaccine booster in the last year, now would be the time to do so.
Everyone is eligible to get a Fall 2024 Covid booster and should get one – see information below.
References:
Katelyn Jetelina, Your Local Epidemiologist, https://yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/p/a-summer-covid-19-wave
Eric Topol, Scripps Clinic, https://erictopol.substack.com/p/the-indomitable-covid-virus
Booster Vaccination
In August 2024, the Covid booster vaccines for 2024-25 were approved. The mRNA vaccines (Pfizer or Moderna) are more up-to-date, targeting one of the latest Omicron subvariants, the KP.2 strain. The traditional protein vaccine (Novavax) targets the prior Omicron variant, the JN.1 strain. However, since the Novavax vaccine is made with traditional vaccine technology, it has a lower chance of giving you side effects.
Any booster will protect you from getting Covid, if you are exposed, for about 6 to 8 weeks post-injection. However, the boosters have also been shown to decrease the severity of any Covid infection you do get (and do this for up to 6 months). In addition, the booster will likely decrease your chance of getting long-Covid. If you had a Covid infection this summer, you are only protected for 2 to 3 months from getting infected again. You can safely get the new booster as soon as 2 months after a Covid infection.
References:
Katelyn Jetelina, PhD (Epidemiology): https://yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/p/a-guide-to-fall-2024-vaccines
Andrea Love, PhD (Immunology): https://immunologic.substack.com/p/covid-19-round-up-vaccine-faqs
Where to Get a Covid Booster Vaccine
- Vaccines are easiest to get at the chain pharmacies, including Walgreens/Duane Reade, Rite Aid, and CVS.
The vaccines available are:
- BioNTech/Pfizer (mRNA)
- Moderna (mRNA)
- Novavax (traditional)
- The Novavax Covid vaccine only contains protein (similar to flu or other vaccines). As a result, it has must fewer side effects as compared to the mRNA vaccines.
In NYC, RiteAid seems to be the only pharmacy that stocks Novavax.
For additional information, see: https://us.novavaxcovidvaccine.com/
- For general information, see the this CDC press release. The NYC.gov vaccine page has useful information, but it has not been updated yet for 2024-25.
Information for Patients, Prior to Your Appointment
The use of face masks in our office and medical office building is optional, unless you are recovering from Covid*. However, let us know if you want me and my staff to wear a face mask. We will gladly do so. We will provide you with a paper mask, if you need one.
Masks with an exhalation valve should not be used, as they do not protect others from Covid-19.
We are still screening all patients for Covid-19.
Prior to your visit to our office, please answer these questions:
- Have you tested positive for Covid in the last week?
- Has anyone in your household (or any person who you have been in close contact with) tested positive for Covid or developed symptoms of Covid in the last week?
- Do you have a fever? If you are not sure, take your temperature with a thermometer before you leave for your appointment. You have a fever if your temperature is higher than 99.5 F.
- Do you have any symptoms of Covid: headache, runny nose, sore throat, sneezing, persistent cough, fever, chills, loss of sense of taste or smell?
If the answers are all "no" you do not need to inform us.
If the answer to ANY question is “yes” then you should contact us.
* If you are 6-10 days after the onset of Covid symptoms, and if you wish to come for your appointment:
- You must be asymptomatic.
- You must have tested negative (with an at-home Covid test).
- You must wear a well-fitting N95 or KN95 mask at all times when you are in our office.
Information on Home (Rapid, Antigen) Tests for Covid:
- If you do NOT have Covid symptoms, but want to be sure you are not carrying the virus after an exposure:
- Two home tests, 48 hours apart, detect ONLY 63 percent of infections.
- Three home tests, each 48 hours apart (i.e, over 5 days), detect 79 percent of infections.
- That’s better, but still not so great. If you want to be sure that you are negative, you’ll need to get a lab (PCR) test.
- If you have Covid symptoms, two home tests, 48 hours apart, detect 93 percent of infections.
Reference: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35982680/ (August 6, 2022; not yet peer reviewed)
Covid in NYC
You can read a summary of information on all aspects of Covid from the NYC Department of Health: CLICK HERE.
“Masks are still effective tools to reduce the risk of spreading or being exposed to COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses. Masks protect you and others by reducing the amount of droplets that enter the air when someone coughs, sneezes, talks, sings or breathes.”
Test Postive for Covid? Isolation Information
Most physicians disagree, but the CDC now views Covid as just another respiratory virus, and no longer recommends isolation if you test positive. Although Covid is indeed spread via the respiratory route, it is not a benign virus, and it is wise to try not to spread it to others, especially those at high risk.
But if you want to read the CDC recommendations, CLICK HERE.