By Karen Kier, Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team
The idiom to catch up means to reach a standard or to move faster in order to reach someone or something moving in the same direction. This idiom can mean anything from a competition of catching someone who maybe running a race or it can mean a meeting with a friend to catch up on the latest news.
The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on April 24 “The Big Catch-Up” program to coincide with World Immunization Week. This new campaign is driven by the decrease in pediatric vaccines prior to and during COVID-19. Routine childhood vaccines declined in over 100 countries during the pandemic. This is the largest sustained decline in 30 years.
The CDC reports a decline in pediatric immunizations during COVID-19 in the United States. The start of the 2022 school year had the lowest vaccine rates for kindergarten children at 93%. Experts believe the disruption of routine physician visits and the misinformation about vaccines contributed to the falling numbers.
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The WHO is partnering with UNICEF and GAVI, The Vaccine Alliance to overcome the gaps in global immunizations for childhood diseases. The Big Catch Up will focus on 20 counties with over 75% of children have missed their vaccines. The WHO and the CDC are not the only organizations trying to improve public health and prevent disease. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has pledged 10 billion dollars for a decade of vaccine development to improve global health.
Children are not the only focus for catching up on immunizations. With COVID-19 still circulating globally, research continues to find the best ways to reduce disease.
On April 18, the FDA announced it was amending its Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the original monovalent COVID-19 vaccines produced by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. The new EUA only allows the mRNA COVID-19 bivalent vaccines.
The EUA for the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine did not change with this announcement. This vaccine has an EUA for use in those 18 years and older who are not able to receive an mRNA vaccine for clinical reasons or elect to receive the vaccine who would otherwise not receive a different COVID-19 vaccine. This would only include one primary dose and one booster dose. No additional doses have been authorized.
Likewise, the EUA for the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine remained the same with the announcement. For those 12 years and up, the vaccine can be given as a primary series of 2 doses. The booster dose is for those 18 years and older who are not clinically eligible to get a bivalent mRNA vaccine or elect to receive the shot who would otherwise not receive a different COVID-19 vaccine.
The bivalent vaccine is a combination of the original Wuhan SARS-Co-V2 and the Omicron BA.4/BA.5 viruses. The bivalent vaccines were released in September of 2022 and about 30% of the population took advantage of the updated Omicron vaccine. A national survey evaluated the reasons for the lack of booster uptake. The primary reasons were individuals not being aware and people feeling they were already immune due to past infections or vaccinations.
Several things learned from COVID-19 research provides guidance when considering the bivalent booster. A study published by Johns Hopkins used an assay to determine antibodies from the monovalent mRNA vaccine versus antibodies produced by a COVID-19 infection. The researchers developed an assay which could distinguish the two antibodies formed. The study produced many conclusions related to risks of serious COVID-19 infections. However, one of the most important take away points from the study is the antibodies either from infection or vaccination do not last very long.
Additional confirmatory research on antibody longevity has been published. A study from the Imperial College London found the antibodies formed in the nose disappear faster than the antibodies formed in the blood. The nose or nasal antibodies are the first defense against COVID-19. Study data are not consistent in the timing of loss of antibodies with some showing as short as 3 months while others show longer periods of time up to 6 to 9 months after vaccination.
Early data for the bivalent booster demonstrates a waning of antibody protection on average at about 3 months, which helps to explain the 4-month waiting period before receiving a second bivalent booster and why this vaccine is still important in providing lasting protection.
In making the announcement on April 18, the United States joins other countries providing a second bivalent booster vaccine such as the United Kingdom, Europe, and Israel.
Yes, the FDA authorized a second mRNA bivalent COVID-19 booster for those 65 years and older on April 18. Others who would be eligible for a second bivalent booster are those 18 years an older who have a compromised immune system. The bivalent mRNA vaccine replaces the monovalent vaccines for children 6 months and older as well. Check with your healthcare provider for more information on eligibility for children.
So, you still have time to catch up on the bivalent COVID-19 booster either as a first bivalent booster or a second bivalent booster if you are eligible.
ONU HealthWise is offering bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccines Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.. Please call the pharmacy for more information.
ONU HealthWise Pharmacy
419-772-3784
