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The BA.5 omicron variant is now the dominant strain in the U.S., and it is leading to a new wave of COVID-19 infections. BA.5 was responsible for nearly 54% of COVID-19 cases in the U.S., and BA.4, a similar variant, accounted for another 17%, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Experts are concerned because this particular variant appears to be good at evading the immune system.
"This BA.5 variant is hypercontagious, and right behind it, new variants are coming," says Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group. "We will continue to generate these variants until people are masked and immunized."
Dr. Poland explains that the transmissibility of BA.5 represents the evolution of the virus to become more contagious and able to evade immune protection from previous infection or vaccination.
"Whether you've been vaccinated, whether you've been previously infected, whether you've been previously infected and vaccinated, you have very little protection against BA.5 in terms of getting infected or having mild to moderate infection," says Dr. Poland. "Thankfully, you still do have good protection against dying, being hospitalized or ending up on a ventilator if you are up to date on your vaccinations."
Due to the consequences of reinfection, including the possibility of long COVID-19, Dr. Poland urges people to continue to take precautions to protect themselves.
"The reality is, it's important to be up to date on the COVID-19 vaccinations that are recommended for your age group, health condition, etc.," says Dr. Poland. "Sometime this fall, we may well have a variant-focused vaccine, so get it when it becomes available. And wear a proper mask properly when you are indoors around people who are not your family or in a crowded outdoor venue."
On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Poland shares the latest COVID-19 news 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.
Read the full transcript.
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.
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I don't believe in getting a shot you don't need when you had it and are over it. This only raises the question on all the other viruses out there that were not funded by this government to research and test nearly as much as this one that could have caused a lot of people to get diabetes, MS, cancers and all other kinds of illnesses besides the chemicals they put in our food these days.
Hi @detc, you can submit your question as a comment here and I’ll make sure it gets to Dr. Poland.
@ l0lag0lag0b3, I believe you are also a transplant recipient, correct? I can submit your query to Dr. Poland, but want to make sure he has context.
Thank you, Colleen.
Dr. Poland,
My neurologist feels that I developed neuropathy as a result of the Moderna vaccine. My skin/rash reaction after the first shot was the worst she has ever seen. The neuropathy didn’t start until after the first booster. She’s concerned about my getting any more boosters. Can you tell me if there is anything different in any other boosters or treatments (Evusheld?) that would not cause a worsening of the neuropathy? Could a child’s dose be safer? Is there something peculiar to the Moderna vaccine that would have triggered my response that wouldn’t be in other vaccines, and therefore safer? I’m 70 years old with no other medical conditions at all. I’m feeling vulnerable for myself and concerned about contracting COVID and exposing my 82 year old husband, with high blood pressure, to it. We are wearing N95 masks whenever we’re inside public places (stores and doctor’s offices) and extremely careful even seeing vaccinated friends outdoors. I would greatly appreciate your input and any further information. Thank you for your time.
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3 ReactionsHi Colleen,
I am not responding to this e-mail. I want to ask you, however, can you arrange to have me directly receive Dr. Poland’s weekly video. I was getting them in the past, but for some reason I stopped receiving them. Thanks for whatever you can do.
Joseph Greco
Sent from my iPad
Yes I am a Kidney Transplant recipient , that would be helpful...Thanks
( I believe I send him an email on the email listed at the end of pod cast ... not sure 100%)
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1 ReactionHi Colleen. I wonder if Dr. Poland could provide more information on risks of covid to cancer patients, especially lung cancer patients. If one is fully vaccinated, boosted and not on medication, how much should one restrict activities? How much is Paxlovid helping such high-risk patients? Obviously, people with lung cancer have compromised lungs, but without quantifiable information, it is impossible to weigh the risk, and decide if something is worth the risk. For example, should one take that special trip to Europe if it means not having access to the anti-viral Paxlovid in case of need? Thanks.
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1 ReactionYour question raises a question fir me. If I am going to travel, would a doctor give me a prescription so I can carry the Paxlovid with me?
Yes, that is my question also. I think (don't know) that the answer is NO. Paxlovid (which only has emergency approval from FDA at the moment as far as I know) criteria are individual at high risk of serious disease and with positive Covid test. Also, one must consider other medications that one is taking at the time - need to stop or not.
Joseph, you are still receiving them. However, the frequency of publication of the podcast has been reduced to monthly.