Covid Rising, CDC Sinking

The diminished CDC (many experts have been fired or left) still reports weekly data on COVID incidence. The most reliable data for risk of infection is now wastewater monitoring for COVID virus genetic material, with sequencing of the genes allowing identification of new virus variants. High levels of COVID genes in Northern California wastewater correlate with a higher incidence of symptomatic or asymptomatic infection. Currently, San Diego monitoring shows a lower level of COVID genes, although that is expected to change this fall as the spread of new COVID variants continues throughout the state.

The newest COVID variant is nicknamed Stratus (or XFG), and it arose from a recombination between the two most prevalent previous variants. This happens when one person is co-infected with two variants at the same time, and the two viruses exchange genetic information during infection of one cell. Stratus is still a descendent of the Omicron lineage, and the current COVID vaccine developed last year will provide some level of protection against disease caused by Stratus infection.

A recent large study from Australia once again emphasized the need for persons over 65 to get a COVID vaccine booster at least every 6 months. The current COVID vaccine was 75% protective against death if administered within the previous 90 days, but protection dropped to 13% if the vaccine was received between 6 and 12 months prior to infection.

Funding for new mRNA COVID vaccines has been halted by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Until this egregious decision is overturned, the current vaccine based on the XBB.1.5 variant will remain the only choice. Everyone over 65 should get this COVID vaccine booster before the Stratus variant arrives in San Diego.

To add insult to injury, RFK, Jr. fired the entire CDC Vaccine Advisory Group on June 9th, an action he promised not to take during his confirmation hearings.