I met with my physician who is immune compromised due to a medication: I have a primary immune deficiency--and they tend to be under-diagnosed. She has been using Enovid--a nasal gel/spray legal in Israel. She did get Covid at a work function. Still masking in her office, but it's going away as a policy. My husband went to the eye doctor, who has had at least 2 completely asymptomatic Covid infections to date, and he will be not wearing a mask in exam rooms soon...and his patient base tend to be older. I am noticing that some physicians are coding immune deficiency due to diabetes on patient charts. Immune deficiency is a poorly characterized "condition". I did learn that B cell depletion appears to convey worse outcomes than tumor necrosis factor infusions, from a Cleveland Clinic CME. As Covid fades into invisibility in the public, I think the "at risk" category needs clarification, boosters and information.
Definitions are very important. I'm looking at this question now, and it really matters. The difference between someone on anti-rejection medications and someone who take low dose steroids is very large in terms of the implication for something like Covid.
Dr. Faust, have followed your writings, often via Med page, with much appreciation and respect for your specific field of medicine and your genuine interest and concern about immune compromised folks. And while I've been grateful to see articles like this about data (and the need for better data) I was saddened to see you "drop the ball" on your Med Page article this AM on Spring Boosters. I am severely immune compromised as I have CVID (primary immune deficiency), long term Progressive MS that has weakened my diaphragm and for which I'm on Ocrevus, have RA, high blood pressure, history of TIA's, heart issues and list goes on. Had my last COVID booster almost 7 months ago. Was told by my MS neurologist/immunologist at UMASS Memorial to get another booster as am due my next infusion of Ocrevus in 4 weeks. My pharmacist will not give it to me this time as there is STILL no formal "go ahead" from CDC. WHO has done this as have Canada and UK but US still monkeying around with our lives. Dr. Walensky, Dr. Lena Wen, and a long list of medical authorities and sadly now you seem to omit the disconnect in all recent public statements that "yes" we should get the booster...BUT WE CAN"T. Meanwhile, folks like me and my sister in Washington state who has terminal Inflammatory Breast Cancer also are facing the unmasking of the medical facilities we go to as we go into waning vax protection and a Fed gov more interested in the 2024 election than the many Americans still dying of COVID. We need our physicians in organized mass to send a letter demanding that we are not an acceptable casualty, that we currently have the boosters we need but we don't have time for complacency.
I met with my physician who is immune compromised due to a medication: I have a primary immune deficiency--and they tend to be under-diagnosed. She has been using Enovid--a nasal gel/spray legal in Israel. She did get Covid at a work function. Still masking in her office, but it's going away as a policy. My husband went to the eye doctor, who has had at least 2 completely asymptomatic Covid infections to date, and he will be not wearing a mask in exam rooms soon...and his patient base tend to be older. I am noticing that some physicians are coding immune deficiency due to diabetes on patient charts. Immune deficiency is a poorly characterized "condition". I did learn that B cell depletion appears to convey worse outcomes than tumor necrosis factor infusions, from a Cleveland Clinic CME. As Covid fades into invisibility in the public, I think the "at risk" category needs clarification, boosters and information.
Definitions are very important. I'm looking at this question now, and it really matters. The difference between someone on anti-rejection medications and someone who take low dose steroids is very large in terms of the implication for something like Covid.
Apparently the CDC is "not imminent" on allowing boosters for at risk people...IMO, as the risk is disproportionate, why not focus the interventions?
Dr. Faust, have followed your writings, often via Med page, with much appreciation and respect for your specific field of medicine and your genuine interest and concern about immune compromised folks. And while I've been grateful to see articles like this about data (and the need for better data) I was saddened to see you "drop the ball" on your Med Page article this AM on Spring Boosters. I am severely immune compromised as I have CVID (primary immune deficiency), long term Progressive MS that has weakened my diaphragm and for which I'm on Ocrevus, have RA, high blood pressure, history of TIA's, heart issues and list goes on. Had my last COVID booster almost 7 months ago. Was told by my MS neurologist/immunologist at UMASS Memorial to get another booster as am due my next infusion of Ocrevus in 4 weeks. My pharmacist will not give it to me this time as there is STILL no formal "go ahead" from CDC. WHO has done this as have Canada and UK but US still monkeying around with our lives. Dr. Walensky, Dr. Lena Wen, and a long list of medical authorities and sadly now you seem to omit the disconnect in all recent public statements that "yes" we should get the booster...BUT WE CAN"T. Meanwhile, folks like me and my sister in Washington state who has terminal Inflammatory Breast Cancer also are facing the unmasking of the medical facilities we go to as we go into waning vax protection and a Fed gov more interested in the 2024 election than the many Americans still dying of COVID. We need our physicians in organized mass to send a letter demanding that we are not an acceptable casualty, that we currently have the boosters we need but we don't have time for complacency.