Connect
With the highly transmissible omicron variant spread across the U.S., it may seem inevitable that most people will get infected with COVID-19. But Mayo Clinic experts explain why it is important to continue to be vigilant and take measures to avoid COVID-19 infection.
"One of the many negatives about saying, 'Well, I'll just go ahead and get infected and get it over with' is you can spread the virus to highly vulnerable people," says Dr. Gregory Poland, head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group. "Parents, grandparents, people too young to be immunized, and people whose immune systems might not be working well are all at risk of more severe disease. While your case may be mild, theirs may not."
Dr. Poland cautions that the sheer number of infections is stressing the health care system, and treatments for omicron are more limited than they were for the delta variant.
"The role of testing and of getting boosted is critical to our response to this, and remember, even though you might have mild disease, every time this virus infects somebody, it is the opportunity for further mutation." says Dr. Poland.
Vaccination, boosting and masking are all necessary to prevent the spread of omicron.
"Your best chance of protecting yourself is to be fully vaccinated, wear a proper mask properly when in public, and to avoid crowded indoor settings," says Dr. Poland.
On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Poland discusses the omicron surge and answers listener questions.
To practice safe social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, this interview was conducted using video conferencing. The sound and video quality are representative of the technology used. For the safety of its patients, staff and visitors, Mayo Clinic has strict masking policies in place. Anyone shown without a mask was recorded prior to COVID-19 or recorded in an area not designated for patient care, where social distancing and other safety protocols were followed.
Research disclosures for Dr. Gregory Poland.
Connect with others talking about the pandemic and supporting one another in the COVID-19 support group.
Information in this post was accurate at the time of its posting. Due to the fluid nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, scientific understanding, along with guidelines and recommendations, may have changed since the original publication date.
For more information and all your COVID-19 coverage, go to the Mayo Clinic News Network and mayoclinic.org.
Like
Helpful
Hug
Connect
My liver team at Mount Sinai called me and
Want me to have this drug called Evusheld.
Cilgavimab n tixagevimab together for
Immunosuppressive patients . It is administered by two shots in the arm. Only given at hospital thru the infectious medical team. This has been approved as an emergency treatment against covid by the Cda and fda. Has any one come across this information? THANKS, JACKIE
The following information was put up on the Mayo Clinic site on Wednesday, January 19, 2022: “The Emergency Use for Evushield is for pre exposure prophylaxis to recent Covid in people immunocompromised or allergic to the vaccine.” It looks like you are not able to benefit from the vaccine so they are giving this to you to protect you from getting very sick if you are exposed to Covid. Evushield is a combination of two medicines. Call 1-800-236-9933 if you have more questions. I am happy for you that you are being offered this, to keep you as healthy as possible.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@mpeters...thank you for responding and knowledge of this treatment. I am going for
My fourth shot per doctor. A lot of friends and co-workers vaccinated, came down with covid, I better get all the protection I can get for the next covid wave to come,hopefully and pray not...but cards are not falling into a row especially with so many not vaccinated
For individuals who are immunocompromised and also have cardiac amyloidosis is this drug contraindicated due to risk of MI?
That is a great question for your doctor. It’s great that you are advocating for yourself.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@mpeters is this the information you were referencing by chance?
- What’s the latest on monoclonal antibody therapies to treat COVID-19?:
https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/whats-the-latest-on-monoclonal-antibody-therapies-to-treat-covid-19/
Jackie, as a transplant patient, you'll be interested in following this related discussion with fellow transplant recipients:
- Just approved: Evusheld for the pre-exposure prevention of COVID-19 https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/evusheld/
Jsakell, I offered this information in the other discussion you started here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/is-it-time-to-get-a-full-vaccine-regimen/
Mayo Clinic vaccine guidelines align with your doctor's recommendation. You may be interested in reviewing these podcasts with Dr. Poland.
– January bringing an omicron surge https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/podcasts/newsfeed-post/january-bringing-an-omicron-surge/
– Experts urge COVID-19 boosters to fight omicron surge https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/podcasts/newsfeed-post/experts-urge-covid-19-boosters-to-fight-omicron-surge/
– Understanding mix-and-match COVID-19 boosters https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/podcasts/newsfeed-post/understanding-mix-and-match-covid-19-boosters/
You and @merpreb are both correct. The Moderna recommended dosage is:
For the general population = 2 shots of 100mcg and 1 booster of 50 mcl
For immunocompromised individuals = 3 shots of of 100mcg and 1 booster of 50 mcl
See details here: https://www.modernatx.com/covid19vaccine-eua/providers/dosing-administration
Jam5, I agree with @mpeters that you should check with your doctor to discuss whether Evusheld is an option for you or not, especially given your medical history.
Here's an excerpt from the FDA Factsheet:
- Frequently Asked Questions on the Emergency Use Authorization for Evusheld (tixagevimab
co-packaged with cilgavimab) for Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) of COVID-19 https://www.fda.gov/media/154703/download
Q. Are there potential side effects of Evusheld?
A. Possible side effects of Evusheld include the following:
12/28/2021
"Allergic reactions can happen during and after injection of Evusheld. Reactions to Evusheld may include difficulty breathing or swallowing; shortness of breath; wheezing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat; rash including hives; or itching.
The side effects of getting any medicine by intramuscular injection may include pain, bruising of the skin, soreness, swelling, and possible bleeding or infection at the injection site.
Serious cardiac adverse events (such as myocardial infarction and heart failure) were infrequent in the clinical trial evaluating Evusheld for pre-exposure prophylaxis for prevention. However, more trial participants had serious cardiac adverse events after receiving Evusheld compared to placebo. These participants all had risk factors for cardiac disease or a history of cardiovascular disease before participating in the clinical trial. It is not clear if Evusheld caused these cardiac adverse events.
These are not all the possible side effects of Evusheld. Not a lot of people have been given Evusheld. Serious and unexpected side effects may happen. Evusheld is still being studied so it is possible that all of the risks are not known at this time."