With new more contagious COVID-19 variants spreading throughout King County and Washington, public health officials are once again calling for people to double down on precautions. As researchers begin to learn more about these new strains, some officials are weighing in on a new question: are two masks better than one? That depends, according to one expert from UW Medicine. "In the community, particularly as there may be additional variants.
Jumping hurdles for a second dose of Covid-19 vaccine
Terri Lynn in Naples, Florida said that she had to embark on a repeat three-hour road trip for her second dose. Elsie Morales in New York said that her grandmother is still waiting for her second dose and it’s a week overdue.
Lynn and Morales are among some of the people in the United States who have faced challenges with scheduling appointments for second doses of Covid-19 vaccine.
“There is some confusion out there,” Lynn said. “I’m just telling my friends and people I know to stay focused and read what you can and empower yourself.”
WSU’s Foley Institute hosted a virtual meeting Tuesday to discuss the technology and misinformation surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine.
There are three major types of vaccines, said Dr. Bob Lutz, member of the Washington State Department of Health. There is a protein-based vaccine, an mRNA vaccine and a viral vector.
The mRNA vaccine technology has been around for a very long time, but this is the first vaccine of its kind to be produced, he said. It is also the main COVID-19 vaccine, which is produced by Moderna and Pfizer.
Lutz said this type of vaccine allows the body’s own mRNA in the cell to create proteins against the virus.
Some clinics are stretching out the recommended time between COVID-19 vaccine doses due to limited supply. Here are the top vaccine facts for Wednesday, Feb. 10.