Virology Mythbusters

Your stop for legit & factual info on SARS-CoV-2 & COVID-19 research, hosted by Virologists and Virologists in training.

[Faheem Younus, MD @FaheemYounus]

Unboosted individuals are 18 times more likely to die if COVID+ compared to those who recently received a bivalent (omicron) booster.

Get boosted. Please.

[Virology Mythbusters @theviraltruth_]

#BOOSTERVACCINES

[Virology Mythbusters @theviraltruth_]

Just posted a photo https://t.co/KOAC3vzyUx

[Eric Topol @EricTopol]

Notable
The BA.4, BA.5 variants are responsible for this increase in Gauteng and elsewhere in South Africa, without a BA.2 wave, and this may signify lack of cross-immunity from Omicron BA.1 (Wave 4)

[NICD @nicd_sa]

#COVID19 UPDATE: 30,186 tests were conducted in the last 24hrs, with 6,372 new cases, representing a 21.1% positivity rate. Today @HealthZA reports 3 deaths that occurred in the past 24 – 48 hours. Total fatalities are 100,351 to date. See more here: https://t.co/hFj4gLSVWF

[Prof. Shane Crotty @profshanecrotty]

These observations appear to be consistent with the relatively high degree of protection maintained against hospitalizations with COVID-19 after these vaccines over 6 months, and the differential VE reported between mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and J&J. /end

[Prof. Shane Crotty @profshanecrotty]

One of the most differentiating features of J&J was high % of CXCR3+ memory B cells. CXCR3+ memory B cells were correlated with neutralizing antibodies after J&J immunization, but not mRNA, suggesting a specific functional role in viral vector B cell responses.

[Prof. Shane Crotty @profshanecrotty]

CD4 T cells
100% of individuals made memory CD4+ T cells, with Tfh highly represented after mRNA or Novavax vaccination. CD4-CTL were also unexpectedly common.

[Prof. Shane Crotty @profshanecrotty]

Our new pre-print posted. We compare immune memory to Moderna, Pfizer, J&J, and Novavax COVID-19 vaccines head-to-head. T cells, B cells, and antibody. We think this is the most comprehensive immunological evaluation of these four different vaccines. 1/17
https://t.co/jHeQk41jHX

[Virology Mythbusters @theviraltruth_]

This is true!#UCTvaccinechat

[Malcolm Miller @MalcolmMiller6]

T2 Misinformation and disinformation is everywhere! From the scientific community all the way to community leaders and even face to face encounters with vaccine hesitant individuals!!Fear plus misinformation equals vaccine avoidance #UCTvaccinechat

[Virology Mythbusters @theviraltruth_]

@MalcolmMiller6 @oluch1_nm @oluch1_nm We think there are not ENOUGH experts i.e virologists, immunologists, vaccinologists, infectious disease experts who are sharing the RIGHT information to balance the misinformation

[Virology Mythbusters @theviraltruth_]

@nishanne_jacob @virusmonologues @HsiaoMarvin @miamalan @paimadhu @StCypriansCT @Parent24 @Artroomadventu1 @JJJiths @RXRadioSA Awesome!!!

[Nisha Jacob @nishanne_jacob]

After a few miserable days with COVID, my 11-year old daughter, Namzi, decided to make her 3rd COVID vaccine comic. This time, tackling the complex issues of T-cells and global vaccine equity in a super simple way. Thoughts? @virusmonologues @HsiaoMarvin @miamalan @paimadhu

[Mia Malan @miamalan]

JUST IN:
Nicholas Crisp, @HealthZA:

#HealthWorkers who got 2 #JnJ jabs (so 1 jab + a booster) in the #Sisonke trial will soon be able to get 3rd #Pfizer jab as well. This will eventually be expanded to the rest of the population as well.

Announcement will follow soon

[Virology Mythbusters @theviraltruth_]

Some good news about the safety vaccines are providing us against COVID-19. Happy New Year! https://t.co/0FTpH2t7VT

[Virology Mythbusters @theviraltruth_]

Important reminder to get vaccinated and stay safe this holiday season #vaccine #covid-19 #omicron https://t.co/bTnDT7YMWq

[UCT IDM @UCTIDM]

IDM collaborated with @GlblCtzn, speaking to trusted experts to dispel vaccine misinformation. Dr Nyaradzo Chigorimbo-Tsikiwa, based at the IDM, says vaccines: "provide a better immune response so that when you do get infected after vaccination, you have a much lower viral load."

[Virology Mythbusters @theviraltruth_]

Just posted a photo https://t.co/Vv5isfb44O

[NICD @nicd_sa]

Developments around the #NewVariant are occurring at a rapid pace and the public has our assurance that we will keep them up to date. Here's what we know so far https://t.co/rOBMpcoDot #B11529

[Virology Mythbusters @theviraltruth_]

This video really accurately and brilliantly shows how mRNA vaccines like the Pfizer-BioNtech one works. Happy watching

https://t.co/ZwbtyFibP6