For our vaccine skeptics: Stanford Medicine study shows why mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines can cause myocarditis . . . Two proteins, named CXCL10 and IFN-gamma, popped u p. We think these two are the major drivers of myocarditis,” Wu said. They operate like a tag team. CXCL10 and IFN-gamma both belong to a class of proteins called cytokines: signaling substances that immune cells secrete to carry on chemical conversations with one another. . . . A retired engineer, I have little tp no experience with organic chemistry. However, this suggests markers that might be used for early diagnosis of a myocarditis problem. Early diagnosis means faster treatment with fewer side effects. Bob Wilson
Just got the latest covid jab -- Pfizer, of course... Nice thing about living here (at least for now)... is the ease by which one can get scheduled, confirmed covered thru your insurance carrier before you get it, then jabbed and coupon'd. There's a lot to dislike about CVS and its corporate practices on mainland... but one of them isn't online-prompted vaccinations -- at least ime. Funny tho... last one was Oct, and prior to that, last year. Not sure why I'm needing a pando jab 60d after the last, but better to get it than not -- esp here where infection rates and hospital cases refuse to be zero.
Was wondering the same thing, so asked the pharmacist helping me about my last jab, which were as mentioned not long ago (he was the one who'd administered the last jab as well). Said yes I qualify, and yes I should get it. First time getting a jab this soon after the last one so not sure if it's to address a new strain? Usually the staff'll wave off rather than recommend if I'd gotten one as long as 6 - 8 mos before, so didn't question it. The fact my insurance pre-cleared the jab as well (pretty much instantly as I waited), confirmed more of this theory. do not know what CVS is like anymore on mainland (know I didn't use them when I'd lived in my last address there; only heard workmates gripe about it)... so can't confirm or deny any advantage we have. But got it for free and a good Pfizer shot... so
That made sense in the early years when the various strains were being test. This year, I suspect we can follow the flu do it in the fall with minimum risk. However, I'm not criticizing twice a year. I heard a report on NPR about the HIV vaccine that it is a two shot protocol. The first one "primes" the infection response and the second one "turns it on full blast." Bob Wilson
we always got our shots at the doc. but that changed with covid because of the refrigeration requirement. after the first year, government closed the covid administration sites and gave it to drug stores. we started with cvs, and they have been fine, except this year when i went, i waited 20 minutes past my appointment time, left and went to walgreens, which was worse.
Ulcch, sorry to hear that Walgreens is defo not it. Speaking from formerly using them for most non-clinic / -hospital med needs in AZ 30y ago, to being so shocked at their failures and ghetto-ness here in Maui County, could only laugh and leave. Super-expensive, 'pharmacists' behind the counter making every day their first on the job... and not stocking any brands, only their shite store ones. Used to be the Radio Shack / Fry's Electronics of drugstores in late '90s / early Y2Ks, stocked everything and stayed solvent. Now everything more expensive than a deodorant is behind lock-and-key, and most of the big brands they sell are candy Interesting video about why CVS / Caremark is such a toxic presence on mainland... their svc here (taking over the generations-popular Long's Drug, which established an expectation of certain svc stds probably not present in mainland stores) is a lot better in the year since that scandal broke... so probably more shens to watch out for in the contiguous-48. Here the principals in charge have enough to do re: the shipping costs to our space station... but perhaps when they feel cocky again, we may join you in seeing crap svc or pulled products. much like WG
I repeat Bob's link: Stanford Medicine study shows why mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines can cause myocarditis Finding different aspects to mention. Cytokines are communication proteins for (our and others') immune systems. Cytokines in excess make immune responses go wrong, and sometimes very wrong. Stanford Medical study clarifies that real COVID infections stimulate excess cytokines production more than vaccines do. Because mRNA vaccines can now be so swiftly crafted, their non-ilicitation of cytokines is a design goal. Ethics exclude testing that in humans, so a different 'animal model' is needed. Choices (essentially) are mice and other primates. Medical research can do anything to mice, but the more-similar primates are both much more expensive to diddle with, and invoke a whole 'nother set of ethical concerns. We stand at need for really good vaccines against troubles now and later. Our defense is always innate immune systems, and vaccines are to be low-harm training. - Less important follows. Troponin is a protein associated with heart-muscle damage and may be known to readers with heart troubles. This link says troponin may appear in blood analyses from people with fine hearts. It may be that troponin is an imperfect 'heart-damage' marker.
CDC says Covid shots continue to protect children from serious disease: Effectiveness of 2024–2025 COVID-19 Vaccines in Children in the United States — VISION, August 29, 2024–September 2, 2025 | MMWR CDC study says Covid shots continue to protect healthy kids from severe illness