COVID-19 News and Updates
Hello all,
Nina Duggan here with the latest COVID-19-related news and updates.
This week we will be discussing the Unwinding process and SNAP benefits, the current vaccination recommendations, and a summary of the FDA meeting on Fall Boosters courtesy of Dr. Elizabeth Marnik.
Unwinding Communication:
The Unwinding Process and SNAP Benefits
During this Unwinding process, SNAP benefits have returned to their pre–Public Health Emergency base amounts. SNAP recipients have been seeing this decrease in benefits since March of this year as part of this process.
For those who are unsure of where to view the current budgeted amount, amounts are viewable at: mymaineconnection.gov
Healthy Acadia has several food access resources available for those currently living in Hancock and Washington Counties in order to help aid residents through the reduction in benefits.
These resources can be found at our website via Healthy Acadia’s Food Resource Guide.
COVID in the News:
The State of COVID-19 in Maine
As of June 27th 2023, there were 114 new cases reported in the state of Maine, with 1 new death. Current hospitalizations stand at 28 people, with 5 patients in critical care due to COVID-19.
Current Vaccination Recommendations
There has been some confusion around the current vaccination recommendations for COVID-19 immunization, especially as the situation around booster doses and the bivalent boosters becomes more tailored to each new variant. The current recommendations are as follows, beginning with the youngest age group:
· For children 6 months to 5 years of age: The vaccinations are still a multi-dose series. These vaccinations have to be administered by a pediatrician
· For everyone 6 years of age and older: One dose of the bivalent vaccine is enough to be considered fully vaccinated. These vaccines can be acquired at your doctor’s office, clinics, and at most major pharmacies.
These recommendations mean that if you are an adult who has never been vaccinated, and you get vaccinated today, you will get one dose of the bivalent vaccine and be considered fully vaccinated. Effectively, there will be boosters following the initial dose down the line, adjusting to changes in the virus similar to an annual flu vaccine, but the vaccine is no longer a multi-dose series for adults.
Summary of the FDA Meeting on COVID-19 Fall Boosters
The following is a summary of questions and discussion points from the recent FDA meeting regarding fall boosters, courtesy of Dr. Elizabeth Marnik.
Is a booster needed?
In order to retain the best protection against severe disease and hospitalization, boosters are still considered necessary due to how quickly the virus mutates. Protection against severe illness and hospitalization does wane over time, particularly with t=infections caused by the new dominant variants in the XBB lineage. A new booster formula will increase protection, as they are designed to target the new variants.
What variant would a fall booster target?
The current bivalent vaccines target in part the original variant, and in part the BA.4/.5 subvariants. All of the new cases being recorded are related to the new XBB variant, with no more cases of the BA.4/.5 variants being reported. With this being the case, fall boosters would instead be targeting the XBB sub variants.
Who will be eligible when?
As of last week, the CDC mentioned they would anticipate the boosters being broadly available, but official recommendations will not be made until the FDA authorizes the new boosters for use. These updated vaccines will be available this fall, but the exact date is still unclear.
For the full report on this meeting, see Dr. Elizabeth Marnik’s full post.
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If you or anyone you know have questions or concerns about COVID-19 or the available vaccines please call or text our COVID-19 Peer Support Line at 207-271-6023, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.