Summer COVID Surge Continues: Hospitalizations and Deaths on the Rise, New Booster Expected
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a significant increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths last week, indicating that the summer surge of the virus is not yet over. Hospitalizations jumped by 21.6%, and deaths rose by over 8%. While the CDC no longer tracks the number of positive cases, the rising number of hospitalizations indicates that people are still becoming seriously ill from the virus.
In the ongoing battle against COVID-19, an updated booster shot is expected to be released in the coming months, although it may still be a month or two away. The most recent update to the vaccine’s formula was the release of the “bivalent” shot last year, targeting the highly contagious Omicron variant, which remains the dominant variant to this day. However, Omicron has given rise to many subvariants, such as EG.5 and various types of XBB.
Despite the evolving subvariants, doctors believe that the current booster is still effective in preventing severe outcomes of COVID-19. Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease expert at the University of California, San Francisco, stated that the booster remains “spectacular” at preventing serious disease, hospitalization, and death, although its effectiveness in preventing mild symptoms is less durable.
The challenge lies in the fact that it has been months or even close to a year since many people received their last dose. A recent study found that the effectiveness of the bivalent booster dropped to 24% after four to six months. However, the study also noted that the vaccine’s effectiveness in preventing critical COVID-19 outcomes, such as ICU admission and death, remained sustained.
Despite the decline in effectiveness, the CDC currently only recommends a second bivalent booster for individuals aged 65 and older or those who are immunocompromised. Everyone else who wants another dose will likely have to wait for the new booster, expected to be released in September or October. The new booster, known as XBB.1.5, is expected to be highly effective against the virus lineages circulating throughout the year.
The Food and Drug Administration will determine which groups are eligible for the new booster in the coming weeks, followed by the CDC providing its recommendations. Infectious disease specialists advise individuals who are currently eligible for a booster not to wait to get vaccinated since the release date of the new monovalent booster is unknown.
Additionally, individuals at high risk for severe illness can consider taking early therapies, such as Paxlovid, to reduce the risk of hospitalization if they become infected during this time.
As the battle against COVID-19 continues, it is crucial for individuals to stay informed about new developments and follow the guidance of health authorities.