Vaccines

COVID vaccine coverage questions abound for health insurers.

Professor of public health Dr. Amira Roess shares why it is imperative we all get the latest COVID vaccine

The decreasing temperatures usher in our third fall and winter with the addition of COVID to cold and flu season. Despite feelings of normalcy returning, health professionals are still wary and continue to stress the crucial nature of preventative measures to protect against the illnesses that rise during this time of year. In addition, the country has seen a spike in RSV cases and the region is reporting a strain on the local pediatric hospitals, with several reporting they are nearing capacity.

Amira Roess, epidemiologist and professor in the Department of Global and Community Health, recently shared all the need to knows regarding the bivalent vaccine. Currently, only about seven percent of individuals ages five years and older are vaccinated with the updated booster, and she was quoted in Teen Vogue and AFAR Magazine to provide her expertise and comment about the importance of COVID-19 vaccination.

As Dr. Roess remains a foremost expert on infectious diseases, she provides further detail about the importance of remaining updated on vaccinations and is available for further comment.

How is the bivalent booster different from other COVID vaccines?

The new bivalent booster is expected to be even better at reducing the chance of infection and, if you do get infected, reducing the duration and severity of COVID-19. Bivalent refers to the booster having an mRNA component from the original strain of COVID in addition to the omicron variant BA.4 and BA.5. These are two of the variants currently circulating as well as one of the older variants. The new booster is anticipated to provide greater protection against variants that are closely related to those that the booster is formulated from and protect against future strains.

Why should those who are eligible get the new booster?

COVID-19 vaccines have consistently shown that they reduce the chance of severe infection and death. We now have a vaccine that is tailored to target the newer variants. Stay up to date on your vaccines. Vaccinated individuals have a much lower chance of severe illness. Once you are eligible to get the new booster then get it. Getting the booster will give your body a chance to develop antibodies and increase your protection against infection and severe disease.

The FDA has also recently approved the booster vaccine for people five years and older. Those who are eligible are recommended to receive one bivalent mRNA booster dose after completion of any FDA-approved or FDA-authorized monovalent primary series or previously received monovalent booster dose(s).

For this year, our models cannot adequately predict when the peaks of COVID will be or how bad they will be, but the last two and a half years have shown us that we should expect peaks.

If we wish to avoid severe rises in cases, it is imperative for more people to receive the newest dose.

Should we still mask even if we are vaccinated with the booster?

It is a good idea to wear a mask when you are in crowded indoor settings with people you don't know, especially if you are vulnerable to severe infection. During periods of high transmission in your community consider wearing a mask when you're in crowded areas. And if you are symptomatic wear a mask and limit your interaction with others while you are infected, especially members of your community who are immune compromised or elderly. Wear the best quality mask that you have access to. The more effective masks are the N-95 or K-95 (or equivalents).

Is COVID still considered worse than the flu?

Overall, more than four times as many individuals are infected with the COVID-19 virus than with the flu virus. Flu did not disrupt life, businesses, health care, school, and other aspects of life the way COVID-19 does. The sheer number of individuals who test positive for COVID-19 and have to isolate is many times more than that due to flu. I think these are reasons why it's hard to say that the pandemic is over. It's still infecting and killing more people than other infectious diseases in this country.

The disparities in health care access are also still very troubling and will continue to lead to higher rates of severe illness and death among minoritized and low-income populations. Effective treatments will continue to be out of reach for poor individuals and those who are ignored by the medical system furthering the difference in severe illness and mortality rates.

Is the pandemic over?

For segments of our population the pandemic is over. For healthy young adults and healthy children, the pandemic has been over for quite some time. They have the lowest COVID-19 disease severity and death rates compared to other groups.

For others, the pandemic is still disrupting day-to-day life. Older individuals and people with underlying conditions remain the most vulnerable to COVID-19 and to them the pandemic will never be over. For those who live with vulnerable individuals the pandemic is still very real. We are continuing to see about 400 COVID-19 deaths per day. We are continuing to have at least 50,000 cases a day, and we know we are severely undercounting cases.

The end of the pandemic would mean that we would evenly distribute therapeutics and high-quality health care to infected individuals no matter what their race or ethnicity or income level. The end of the pandemic would mean that we would have a functioning public health infrastructure that has resources uniformly distributed across the country, across the world, regardless of the income status of the population it serves. That had never been our past. It's certainly not our present, but I do hope it becomes our future.

Dr. Amira Roess specializes in infectious diseases, especially reducing the transmission of diseases that spread between animals and humans, including coronaviruses like MERS-CoV and SAR-CoV-2, the latter of which causes COVID-19. She has expertise in emerging zoonotic infectious diseases and interventions to reduce the transmission and impact of infectious diseases.

She is a professor of Global Health and Epidemiology at ��ӽ紫ý's College of Public Health Department of Global and Community Health. Prior to joining academia, Dr. Roess served as the Science Director for the Pew Commission on Industrial Food Animal Production at Johns Hopkins and was an Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) officer at the CDC. She has served as a consultant for the United States Agency for International Development, the World Bank, and Westat Inc.

For more information, contact Michelle Thompson at 703-993-3485 or mthomp7@gmu.edu.

About Mason

��ӽ紫ý, Virginia’s largest public research university, enrolls 39,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 states. Located near Washington, D.C., Mason has grown rapidly over the last half-century and is recognized for its innovation and entrepreneurship, remarkable diversity, and commitment to accessibility. In 2022, Mason celebrates 50 years as an independent institution. Learn more at http://www.gmu.edu.

About College of Public Health at ��ӽ紫ý

The College of Public Health at ��ӽ紫ý is the first and only College of Public Health in Virginia combining public health transdisciplinary research, education, and practice in the Commonwealth as a national exemplar. The College enrolls more than 1,900 undergraduate and 1,300 graduate students in our nationally recognized programs, including six undergraduate degrees, eight master’s degrees, five doctoral degrees, and six professional certificate programs. The College is comprised of the School of Nursing and the Departments of Global and Community Health, Health Administration and Policy, Nutrition and Food Studies, and Social Work.

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Fierce Healthcare: Affiliate faculty member Peter Kongstvedt is quoted in an article on COVID-19 vaccine coverage questions for insurers

eander6 — Fri, 09 Sep 2022 20:35:31 +0000

Fierce Healthcare: Affiliate faculty member Peter Kongstvedt is quoted in an article on COVID-19 vaccine coverage questions for insurers eander6 Fri, 09/09/2022 - 16:35

In This Story

Peter Kongstvedt, MD

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Healthcare

Health Policy

HAP Faculty

CHHS in the Media

College of Health and Human Services Department of Health Administration and Policy

What to know about the new COVID booster

Mary Cunningham — Thu, 08 Sep 2022 17:08:32 +0000

What to know about the new COVID booster Mary Cunningham Thu, 09/08/2022 - 13:08

In This Story

Epidemiologist and Professor Amira Roess answers frequently asked questions about the newest COVID booster shot.

In the United States, a new COVID-19 booster shot has been approved and recommended for people aged 12 and older. This new booster, called a “bivalent” booster, was created to combat the original COVID strain and to protect against the newest omicron variants (BA.4 and BA.5).

Epidemiologist and Professor at ��ӽ紫ý Dr. Amira Roess specializes in infectious diseases and answers frequently asked questions about the new COVID-19 booster shot. She is available for further comment.

Who should get the COVID-19 new booster?

Those aged 12 years and older who are eligible are encouraged to get the new bivalent booster. Eligibility is defined as being at least 2 months out from their last booster dose or from the initial primary series. FDA has authorized two new boosters, one from Moderna and one from Pfizer. Visit the Centers for Disease Control website to find out if you are eligible.

The numbers are down, and less people seem to be getting COVID, so why should I get the new booster vaccine?

Disease modelers have been forecasting a surge in cases this fall and winter, in part due to the fact that we are moving into colder months when we will be indoors more and exposed to more viruses. In addition, many individuals are losing their immunity against the virus. People were vaccinated or boosted many months ago, and many were in the spring or the summer. This means that soon they will be at risk for (re)infection. Getting the new booster can help decrease your chance of getting infected and can dramatically decrease your chance of a severe infection if you are infected.

Another important note here is that we are significantly undercounting cases. Many of us are using home-based kits, and we are not reporting results to public health agencies.

Is now a good time to get boosted?

If you are eligible, yes. Now is a good time, and you should consider getting the new booster. We are hearing reports of children getting infected at school and infecting their household members. We will likely see more cases in the coming weeks. Eligible individuals who get the new booster can expect to have a lower chance of getting COVID-19, and if they do become infected, they will likely have a very mild case and shorter duration of illness. This will cut down the chance of passing on the virus to others.

How soon after infection can I get the new booster?

General CDC guidance suggests you wait at least 3 months from the onset of symptoms or positive test. We can expect the CDC and White House to release guidance on this related to the booster in the coming weeks.

Why don't we know more about the currently circulating COVID-19 variant?

The data, while preliminary, indicate that the currently circulating variant, BA.5, is the most immune evasive one that we have dealt with to date. Individuals are getting reinfected with this variant at a greater rate compared to previously circulating variants. In addition, we are seeing a segment of the population getting reinfected within 2 months of infection. Because BA.5 became dominant over the summer, there is still quite a bit that we don't know.

The data do suggest that overall, among healthy individuals, severe illness, hospitalization, and death continue to be significantly lower following infection with this variant.

How do we deal with this moving forward?

First, if you are eligible for the new booster, consider getting it.

Next, try to stay home if you have symptoms, even if your rapid test is negative. We want to avoid infecting others, particularly those who are immune compromised or elderly.

If you test positive, isolate at home to the best of your ability. The CDC updated its guidelines to shorten the duration of isolation and quarantine. Once you are out of isolation, continue to wear your mask when you are around others to further protect them.

The good news is that most healthy adults are not getting very sick. However, we do want to keep in mind that there are many immune-compromised individuals in our community who are at risk for severe illness should they get infected.

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WHRO (Norfolk, VA): Dr. Amira Roess comments on Cuba and COVID vaccines.

eander6 — Wed, 02 Feb 2022 16:37:07 +0000

WHRO (Norfolk, VA): Dr. Amira Roess comments on Cuba and COVID vaccines. eander6 Wed, 02/02/2022 - 11:37

In This Story

A small island nation has cooked up not 1, not 2 but 5 COVID vaccines. It's Cuba!

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CHHS in the Media

public health faculty

College of Health and Human Services Department of Global and Community Health

KCBX FM (CA): Dr. Amira Roess comments on Cuba and COVID vaccines.

eander6 — Wed, 02 Feb 2022 16:34:27 +0000

KCBX FM (CA): Dr. Amira Roess comments on Cuba and COVID vaccines. eander6 Wed, 02/02/2022 - 11:34

In This Story

A small island nation has cooked up not 1, not 2 but 5 COVID vaccines. It's Cuba!

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Public Health

CHHS in the Media

public health faculty

College of Health and Human Services Department of Global and Community Health

WAMU 88.5 (public radio, Washington, D.C.): Dr. Amira Roess comments on Cuba and COVID vaccines.

eander6 — Wed, 02 Feb 2022 14:49:50 +0000

WAMU 88.5 (public radio, Washington, D.C.): Dr. Amira Roess comments on Cuba and COVID vaccines. eander6 Wed, 02/02/2022 - 09:49

In This Story

A small island nation has cooked up not 1, not 2 but 5 COVID vaccines. It's Cuba!

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public health faculty

College of Health and Human Services Department of Global and Community Health

Why Mason is Requiring Covid Vaccine Boosters

Melanie Balog — Thu, 13 Jan 2022 20:13:07 +0000

Why Mason is Requiring Covid Vaccine Boosters Melanie Balog Thu, 01/13/2022 - 15:13

On December 31, ��ӽ紫ý announced it has joined the growing community of universities requiring that students, staff, and faculty receive Covid booster shots for the spring 2022 semester. This requirement has been largely well-received, but it has prompted some questions that merit the university offering a deeper explanation.

Currently, 208 million Americans are fully vaccinated against Covid, with more than 74 million receiving booster shots, giving public health officials overwhelming proof that vaccines and boosters are the most effective tools we have to stop the spread of Covid.

In particular, data published by the National Institutes for Health show that Pfizer’s two-dose vaccine, while more than 90 percent effective against the first Covid variant, dropped to 60-70 percent against the delta variant after six months, and just 30 percent against omicron.

By contrast, Pfizer’s booster shot restores its effectiveness to 90+ percent against the delta variant and nearly 80 percent against the omicron variant. Vaccines and boosters undeniably stop most of the spread of omicron. Further, the New England Journal of Medicine reports that boosters offer significant reduction of risk across all ages, 16 and up.

With this evidence in hand, Mason opted to join nearly every major university in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia in requiring boosters for spring 2022.

There are three primary benefits:

1. Health and safety

The strong performance of boosters in mitigating the spread of Covid and reducing the severity of its symptoms means fewer members of our community will contract the virus, fewer will fall ill, and fewer will pass it on. This is particularly vital to the safety of the 850 students, faculty, and staff at Mason who are unvaccinated with approved medical or religious exemptions. It is also vital for the safety of those who are vaccinated but either have health vulnerabilities that are unknowable to those around them, or who live with vulnerable populations such as the elderly or children not eligible for vaccination. While there is evidence of a remote risk for hospitalization among individuals 16 to 29 years of age in very limited circumstances, this reduced risk level does not extend to all of our community. This is especially true for faculty and staff in older age groups. We are obligated to do what we can to protect them also.

2. Operational continuity

Widespread infections are creating massive economic and social disruptions that are avoidable, and are harming people’s livelihoods. Grocery stores are struggling to keep food on shelves, businesses are reducing services and hours of operation, and hospitals are experiencing record occupancy for the pandemic, such that in many cases they are not able to provide care to non-Covid patients.

Without intervention, large numbers of employees and students could get sick and be required to isolate at Mason. This could result in widespread classroom disruptions and reductions or temporary suspension of vital student and university services. Given how preventable this is, we are unapologetic in our determination to do what we can to avoid this sort of interruption at all costs.

3. Ending the pandemic

As we enter year three of this pandemic, we all want it to end. The best way to do so is to minimize the spread of the virus, which also minimizes its capacity to perpetuate itself by mutating into its next variant. No one likes these limitations on our lives, but they are temporarily necessary.

Fundamentally, the collective mindset required to end the pandemic isn’t about “me.” It is about “we.” And our commitment to working together is what is required to finally bring this cycle of illness, death, isolation, and disruption to an end.

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coronavirus

coronavirus; COVID-19; Editorial

Fast Grants to aid in the development of a pan-coronavirus vaccine

John Hollis — Mon, 13 Dec 2021 17:49:07 +0000

Fast Grants to aid in the development of a pan-coronavirus vaccine John Hollis Mon, 12/13/2021 - 12:49

Tyler Cowen is a professor of economics and the faculty director at the Mercatus Center. Photo provided

��ӽ紫ý’s Fast Grants program continues to play a leading role in the global pandemic by expediting critical research needed in the fight against COVID-19.

The philanthropic effort, which is part of the Emergent Ventures program for innovators based within Mason’s Mercatus Center, recently received nearly $7 million from generous benefactors, most of whom have chosen to remain anonymous. As a result, the Fast Grants Program was able to quickly send out nearly $4 million in support of pan-coronavirus vaccine research at the University of Washington and at the California Institute of Technology in the hopes of soon developing a vaccine that can offer protection against every strain of the virus.

“The necessity to fight back against COVID is obvious,” said Tyler Cowen, a professor of economics within Mason’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the faculty director of the Mercatus Center. “We are supporting research into vaccines that will—if they succeed—work against all variants to come in the future. And Fast Grants has had a good track record supporting quality research against COVID, and in a timely manner. The researchers have some initial promising results. Now they can get started on the next steps right away.”

Cowen, who founded Emergent Ventures, announced the start of the Fast Grants program in March 2020 in the hopes of inspiring immediate breakthroughs in the fight against the deadly virus that has now claimed more than 5.2 million lives around the globe, including nearly 800,000 Americans, according to the World Health Organization.

Donors soon began coming forward to aid in the efforts, including Telsa’s Elon Musk, LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, among others.

Launched with a $1 million grant from the Thiel Foundation, Emergent Ventures Fast Grants range between $10,000 and $500,000. Decisions on funding typically are made within 14 days of requests and are quickly dispersed to recipients.

To date, the Fast Grants program has distributed more than $54 million in more than 200 grants, including several for potential vaccines and treatments for the virus.

“I am hoping this work can save lives,” Cowen said, “and restore our economy to normal operation more rapidly. Perhaps it also will be the basis of future advances in medical sciences, directed at other problems as well.”

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Campus News

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

COVID-19; Research

Mercatus Center

COVID won't be on break. Patriots, get your booster

Melanie Balog — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 17:50:26 +0000

COVID won't be on break. Patriots, get your booster Melanie Balog Fri, 12/10/2021 - 12:50

Dear Patriots,

As our semester comes to a close and we finalize plans for winter break, we want to take a moment and encourage all Mason Patriots – whether near or far – to please continue to prioritize your health and safety. Here are a few departing reminders to help ensure that we close out this year happy and healthy!

Get a Booster!

The omicron variant is moving quickly, and the delta variant remains a threat, so we must be diligent during this holiday season. While experts are still determining if omicron poses an increased threat, health officials agree: getting vaccinated (to include boosters) is the best way to combat COVID. The CDC is recommending COVID booster shots for anyone who is eligible for a booster, which includes anyone over 18. In addition, the FDA on Thursday authorized Pfizer booster shots for all eligible 16- and 17-year-olds who completed their two-shot Pfizer series at least six months ago. Vaccines and boosters have proven to be effective in helping to reduce the spread of COVID and the severity of COVID illness. We strongly recommend boosters for all Mason Patriots who are eligible to receive one, and Mason is offering booster shots Monday-Friday for free. Appointments can be made at https://vaccine.gmu.edu and hours will be expanded to accommodate the end-of-semester demand.

Test Before Traveling

For those who are leaving campus, we recommend testing before and after holiday gatherings. Mason will continue to provide walk-in tests through December 17. Please take advantage of this service before you leave. International travelers need to check with their airline and get tested 24 hours before travel to the US. If you are unvaccinated, you must quarantine upon arrival and get tested 3-5 days after arrival. The CDC provides travel guidance at their website.

Mason will also offer limited walk-in surveillance testing on Monday, Dec. 20 and Monday, Dec. 27 from 9-noon at Fenwick A Wing on the Fairfax Campus. Surveillance testing will reopen at Fenwick only on Monday, January 3.

Stick with What Works

As many of us plan to gather with family and friends, it’s more important than ever to continue the practices that have kept our community safe. We know our plan works, let’s continue to work it. Let’s maintain our safety protocols throughout the holiday break:

Continue to use Mason COVID Health Check, as this is the provides our health experts the ability to understand the extent and impact of COVID on campus. We will streamline the Mason COVID Health Check in the new year. Look for more information soon.
Stay home if you feel unwell.
Wear masks when in large groups.
- Follow the CDC’s guidance for close contact situations. If you are notified that you are a close contact please:
  - Get a surveillance test 5-7 days after potential exposure if you are vaccinated and asymptomatic.
  - Quarantine for 14 days from date of exposure if you are unvaccinated and get tested 5-7 days after exposure.

Thank you ALL for helping to keep Mason safe and open. Your consistency and care for your fellow Patriots has contributed to a successful fall semester. Please continue to do your part by following these guidelines so that we can start 2022 healthy and strong. Enjoy your winter break!

Sincerely,

Gregory Washington

President

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Campus News

Omicron variant