121 – Update: COVID Vaccination in Aging (7.29.21 Edition)

 In This Episode:

This video update includes my thoughts on the Delta variant and the latest CDC announcement regarding guidance for fully vaccinated adults, what to know about “breakthrough” COVID cases in nursing homes and elsewhere, recent studies on the efficacy of vaccines in older adults (and why some touted study results may not apply to older adults), who might not be well protected by the vaccine, and more.

(View the show notes page to watch my subtitled talk and my slides.)

This episode covers:

• A recap of the current COVID & vaccine situation
• What to know about Delta & the latest CDC mask update
• “Breakthrough” COVID cases
• Updates on COVID safety & efficacy in older adults and the immunocompromised
• Whether boosters will be needed and whether to get one if available
• My latest recommendations for older adults & families

Note: Since I recorded my update, the Washington Post has reported on the CDC’s internal presentation covering why they are so concerned about the Delta variant. The data presented is interesting and can be found here.

Related Resources:

• BHWA:
  • COVID Vaccination for Aging Adults: What to Know & Do
• CDC:
  • CDC COVID Data Tracker (to check your local transmission rates)
  • Internal CDC presentation on Delta variant and breakthrough infections (July 29, 2021)
  • CDC: When You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated
  • Nursing Home Covid-19 Data Dashboard
  • CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (meeting slides on vaccine safety and efficacy topics are usually very informative; browse for the latest ones here)
    • COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness studies (May 12, 2021; includes some nursing home studies)
• From medical journals:
  • Covid-19 Breakthrough Infections in Vaccinated Health Care Workers (July 2021)
  • Effectiveness of Covid-19 Vaccines against the B.1.617.2 (Delta) Variant (July 2021)
• From news and other media:
  • The war has changed’: Internal CDC document urges new messaging, warns delta infections likely more severe (July 30, 2021)
  • CDC reversal on indoor masking prompts experts to ask, ‘Where’s the data?’ (July 2021)
  • Israeli Data Suggests Possible Waning in Effectiveness of Pfizer Vaccine (July 2021)
  • Biden Officials Now Expect Vulnerable Americans to Need Booster Shots (July 2021)
  • Citing New Data, Pfizer Outlines Case for Booster Shots (July 2021)
  • NY Times: COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker 
  • NY Times: Coronavirus Variant Tracker