A booster vaccine is run on the Indonesian resort island of Bali.

Sonny Tumbelaka /AFP through Getty Images

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Sonny Tumbelaka /AFP through Getty Images

A booster vaccine is run on the Indonesian resort island of Bali.

Sonny Tumbelaka /AFP through Getty Images

We frequently reply regularly requested questions in regards to the coronavirus. If you have got a query you would like us to think about for a future publish, e-mail us at goatsandsoda@npr.org with the topic line: “Weekly Coronavirus Questions.” See an archive of our FAQs here.

I’ve heard that’s yet one more new variant of SARS-CoV-2. Say it ain’t so!

Yes, it’s so. Viruses mutate, new variants emerge. That’s occurred a variety of instances with SARS-CoV-2 for the reason that begin of the pandemic in 2020. And it is occurring once more. In mid-August, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention introduced: “A new variant of SARS-CoV-2 called BA.2.86 was detected in samples from people in Denmark and Israel. At least two cases have been identified in the United States. This variant is notable because it has multiple genetic differences from previous versions of SARS-CoV-2.”

In truth there are 35 mutations on the spike protein in comparison with at the moment circulating variants. That’s as massive of a distinction as there was between the unique virus and the omicron variant recognized in November 2021.

The spike protein is what the virus makes use of to enter our cells. Those mutations might doubtlessly assist the virus evade the safety offered by COVID vaccinations and prior infections, says Katelyn Jetelina, an epidemiologist and scientific marketing consultant to the CDC, who writes the “Your Local Epidemiologist” weblog.

The CDC and the World Health Organization are taking a better look.

There’s not but sufficient information to evaluate the potential of this variant to trigger a wave. But the CDC stated on Wednesday that, “based on what [it] knows now, existing tests used to detect and medications used to treat COVID-19 appear to be effective” for the variant.

The CDC additionally believes that BA.2.86 could also be extra able to inflicting an infection in individuals who have beforehand had COVID-19 or who’ve obtained COVID-19 vaccines as a result of the mutations on the spike protein might permit it to evade our immune methods regardless of prior vaccinations and having had COVID-19. Scientists are evaluating the effectiveness of the brand new booster anticipated to be accepted by mid September.

And firms that make antigen exams, vaccines and coverings are testing them to see if they’re efficient on the variant.

If the conclusion is that this variant poses a big threat of triggering waves of instances because of its mutations, it’ll get it personal title. That title, subsequent within the Greek alphabet for COVID variants, could be pi.

I’ve a 66-year-old pal who’s by no means stopped carrying a masks and nonetheless refuses to go to eating places, motion pictures and even socialize indoors. He has had the newest booster. Are these excessive precautions nonetheless warranted at this stage?

“It’s complicated,” says Dr. Waleed Javaid, epidemiologist and director of Infection Prevention and Control at Mount Sinai Downtown in New York City. “Some people refused to mask, and others refuse to unmask. Part of it is knowing your risks, like if you are traveling in a crowded space.”

Javaid says we have to to be empathetic to the wants of others. “We don’t know other peoples’ risks. Some people may have serious illnesses, immunocompromising conditions, cancers, or transplants — and not share this information with their friends or loved ones.”

Andrew Pekosz, a professor of molecular microbiology and immunology on the Johns Hopkins Center for Global Health, says “it’s still very, very clear that the hospitalizations and deaths from COVID — currently on the rise — are being driven by certain portions of the population: those over the age of 65, those with underlying medical conditions, individuals on cancer treatment, solid organ transplant recipients and people who are immunocompromised. “In my opinion, in case you are in these teams that ought to greater than justify taking just a few further precautions if you wish to reduce your threat,” he says. “And I believe we as a society must be a bit of bit extra accepting of these people who really feel the necessity to take these steps to guard themselves.”

As for case counts, the tip of the general public well being emergency for COVID means many information factors on instances are now not collected. But within the U.S., emergency room visits are nonetheless tallied and are rising. U.S. hospitalizations are nonetheless reported as nicely and have been growing steadily since July, based mostly on CDC information. For the week ending Aug. 12, there have been 12,613 new hospitalizations for the virus, up from 10,370 the earlier week.

How lengthy will it take for the brand new booster, coming within the fall, to confer safety? Every week? 10 days?

First, information alert: A gathering of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has been set for September 12 to debate the up to date COVID-19 booster, prone to be adopted by the CDC director adopting their advice very quickly after and making suggestions on who ought to get the up to date shot. Pharmacies and medical doctors places of work are already gearing as much as give the shot.

Now again to the immunity you possibly can anticipate. “It takes up to two weeks for you to have the best protection [from a vaccine],” says Dr. Javaid. Andrew Pekosz says for COVID the vaccines could even work a bit sooner due to prior immunity folks have from vaccines and from having had the virus. “Within ten days you would detect increases in your immunity and by two weeks you should be at pretty good levels that would be protecting you from a COVID-19 infection and particularly severe COVID-19,” Pekosz says.

When does safety of COVID vaccines and boosters wane?

“We don’t have that long-term data available yet,” says Dr. Javaid. “There are multiple factors involved. There are patient factors, illnesses, immunocompromising conditions and the ability to mount immune response depending on medications — like steroids — that suppress the immune system. There are also viral factors, like if the virus mutates enough to evade our immune system.”

In basic, says Javaid, being vaccinated will present some extent of safety in opposition to an infection that may final for months and even years due to the physique’s immune reminiscence. This means vaccinated people will seemingly have milder signs than unvaccinated. And up to now, Javaid says, the vaccines have held up nicely in opposition to extreme illness.

There are three vaccines this fall — the flu vaccine, the anticipated fall COVID booster and the RSV vaccine. Can I get them all of sudden?

You can get the flu shot and fall booster collectively with none interference of the effectiveness of both, says Matthew Frieman, analysis professor of microbiology and immunology on the University of Maryland School of Medicine. “In fact,” says Frieman, “vaccines that would combine the two are in clinical trials.”

Dr. Javaid factors out that kids get vaccines that mix safety — like one for mumps, measles and rubella (German measles) with no downside.

The CDC gives the thumbs up to getting the flu and COVID vaccines together as well and says you possibly can even get them in the identical arm, although getting every in a distinct arm may help cut back short-term ache that may include getting a vaccination.

As for timing … The new boosters aren’t right here but. October is taken into account one of the best month to get a flu shot since safety can wane over the flu season, which ends in May or June. So assuming that the brand new booster is out by then, you possibly can go for a two-fer.

Then there are new vaccines, only in the near past accepted, for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which can be a fall virus and which is most harmful for very younger children and older adults. A vaccine is beneficial for folks 60+ and is accessible now, and one other was simply accepted for pregnant women to offer safety for his or her infants from RSV proper from delivery. There’s additionally a remedy for infants that works like a vaccine to guard them.

But there is not but information obtainable on whether or not folks over 60 can take the RSV vaccine concurrently with the COVID and flu vaccines. You could need to seek the advice of together with your physician about timing for the RSV vaccine in case you are in a threat group, suggests the immunologist Pekosz.

I’m over 65. Does that affect immunity from the booster?

In older adults the physique will not be as aggressive in making antibodies because it in youthful years, says Dr. Javaid. “This is why it’s a good idea to ask your doctor if the CDC recommends more frequent boosting for your age or for individuals in certain risk groups.”

Pekosz provides that on your common over-65er, “the immune response from the vaccine should last from four to six months in terms of protecting from severe disease.”

And everybody must be contemplating the up to date booster when it is obtainable, says Pekosz, “because the variants that are circulating now are very different from what was in the last vaccine for COVID-19.”

The CDC advises that folks uncovered to somebody who has examined constructive for COVID put on a masks for no less than 10 days and individuals who check constructive themselves put on a masks for no less than 5 days. A reader asks if 5 days is sufficient for somebody who’s contaminated?

Dr. Javaid says that in case you are uncovered to COVID-19 and do not develop signs straight away, it is good to remain masked for the CDC’s beneficial time as a result of should you do develop the virus within the days forward, your infectiousness is highest within the first few days, and you’ll’t make certain when that is likely to be.

There’s information on house exams as nicely. On this week’s reporter’s name, the CDC stated there may be some funding to ship exams to libraries and public well being departments so verify to see if free exams can be found. And additionally verify costs since on-line and retail shops could typically low cost house exams.

Fran Kritz is a well being coverage reporter based mostly in Washington, D.C., and a daily contributor to NPR. She additionally reviews for the Washington Post and Verywell Health. Find her on Twitter: @fkritz