Dr. Kevin Kavanagh from Health Watch USA^sm discusses the impending BA.4/BA.5 surge with increasing cases and hospitalizations. So far, ICU admissions and deaths have not risen significantly. With infections and hospitalizations comes the risks of Long COVID. New research has found that over 60% of patients with Long COVID have viral antigens in the blood. This may well be a sign of an indolent subclinical infection of the virus.

Data from South Africa has shown a lower rate of hospitalizations with the BA.4 and BA.5 variants. But unlike the United States they had a large surge of the Beta Variant which offers protection against the BA.4 and BA.5 variants. The United States had a large wave with the Omicron Variant which offers much less protection. Pre-Omicron, those infected by the Delta Variant will have better protection providing their immunity has not waned.

New variants are appearing almost once a month, far too quickly for a specific vaccine. There is also another concerning variant in India the BA2.75, which may be even more infectious. With the Seasonal Flu, we have a new variant about once a year which allows for vaccine modification. However, COVID vaccines do produce a wide range of antibodies and will offer at least some protection against severe disease. There are two bivalent vaccines which are being tested which may offer even broader protection.

Vaccines are the safest way to augment your immunity, whether you have had a previous vaccination or infection become boosted. Thus, we need to take this virus seriously. We need to mask up, avoid indoor settings and stay up to date on vaccinations and boosters. Jack Pattie Show with Kruser (Dave Krusenkla). July 11, 2022.

In addition, please go to https://healthconference.org  and register for our Sept. 14th webinar. There is a large list of world renowned speakers and the event is free.