Joint Statement from HHS Public Health and Medical Experts on COVID-19 Booster Shots
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, August 18, 2021
Today, public health and medical experts from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the following statement on the Administration’s plan for COVID-19 booster shots for the American people.
The statement is attributable to Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Dr. Janet Woodcock, Acting Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration (FDA); Dr. Vivek Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General; Dr. Francis Collins, Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH); Dr. Anthony Fauci, Chief Medical Advisor to President Joe Biden and Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID); Dr. Rachel Levine, Assistant Secretary for Health; Dr. David Kessler, Chief Science Officer for the COVID-19 Response; and Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith, Chair of the COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force:
“The COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the United States continue to be remarkably effective in reducing risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death, even against the widely circulating Delta variant. Recognizing that many vaccines are associated with a reduction in protection over time, and acknowledging that additional vaccine doses could be needed to provide long lasting protection, we have been analyzing the scientific data closely from the United States and around the world to understand how long this protection will last and how we might maximize this protection. The available data make very clear that protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection begins to decrease over time...and in association with the dominance of the Delta variant, we are starting to see evidence of reduced protection against mild and moderate disease.
There are four points being made there:
1) They will only use "effective" when describing positively the vaccines. When efficacy is not demonstrated they use "protection decreases over time."
2) protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection begins to decrease over time
3) and in association with the dominance of ...Delta
4) reduced protection against mild and moderate disease.
So they are (barely) acknowledging that the vaccines are less effective against Delta but are blaming it on vaccine waning. The third point, including "moderate," is also a bit of a concession. Previously their position was, "Cases, shmases," who cares? Nobody who is vaxed is getting sick. Almost all the "breakthrough" cases are people who don't even know they have it! Or who have the mildest symptoms that don't even trigger the thought that they have it. It is a misleading bit of a concession. "Moderate" by commonly accepted medical meaning, does not mean hospitalizations ("severe") or, obviously, death. Their own studies, think Mesa County, Colorado, show staggeringly unexpected hospitalizations and death in the fully-vaccinated (but they won't reveal the numbers, just descriptions, e.g. "significantly higher")
Based on our latest assessment, the current protection against severe disease, hospitalization, and death could diminish in the months ahead...For that reason, we conclude that a booster shot will be needed to maximize vaccine-induced protection and prolong its durability.
Okay, Els and Gees, what is "could" called? "Weasel word!" Exactly. On accounta what "could," could "not". They know, but are fearful of saying, what I know and will say: All three categories, cases, hospitalizations, and deaths will increase "in the months ahead." By their timeline and with what you and I and they know, we will not be following the India model. When you use weasel words and don't level with people, invariably you get bitten in the ass for it.
“We have developed a plan to begin offering these booster shots this fall subject to FDA conducting an independent evaluation and determination of the safety and effectiveness of a third dose...We are prepared to offer booster shots for all Americans beginning the week of September 20 and starting 8 months after an individual’s second dose...We would also begin efforts to deliver booster shots directly to residents of long-term care facilities at that time, given the distribution of vaccines to this population early in the vaccine rollout and the continued increased risk that COVID-19 poses to them.
Again, the two, time and Delta are linked.
“Our top priority remains staying ahead of the virus and protecting the American people from COVID-19 with safe, effective, and long-lasting vaccines especially in the context of a constantly changing virus and epidemiologic landscape. We will continue to follow the science on a daily basis, and we are prepared to modify this plan should new data emerge that requires it.
Oh my God, "staying ahead of the virus."
“We also want to emphasize the ongoing urgency of vaccinating the unvaccinated in the U.S. and around the world. Nearly all the cases of severe disease, hospitalization, and death continue to occur among those not yet vaccinated at all. We will continue to ramp up efforts to increase vaccinations here at home and to ensure people have accurate information about vaccines ...
###
All true there.
