Aug. 25 - Vaccine longevity; expert forum on delta variant
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UCI’s San Joaquin Marsh Reserve. Photo by Steve Zylius/UCI
Each day, a UCI expert will answer one of your questions about COVID-19, vaccinations, variants or the future of work. Submit questions via email.
Today’s question is fielded by Philip Felgner, professor in residence of physiology and biophysics, and director of UCI’s Vaccine Research and Development Center:
Does vaccine-induced immunity to COVID-19 decline over time?
We have followed people who received mRNA vaccines, such as Pfizer or Moderna, for about six months so far. The immune response is durable, declining by only about 10% from the peak. Based on our data, it looks like an annual boost — similar to what we expect to get for the flu vaccine — may be recommended. Since this coronavirus is prone to variants, the annual boost may contain a different variant from year to year, similar to the flu shot.
Reminder: Vaccination proof due Sept. 6
The deadline approacheth to upload your vaccination verification or submit an exception or deferral request. Those who don’t comply will be subject to escalating disciplinary measures.
UCI ANNOUNCEMENTS AND NEWS
UCI Podcast: A second chance for young felons
Elizabeth Cauffman, a professor of psychological science, has worked with Orange County court and jail personnel to develop programs that enable certain first-time felons aged 18 to 25 to eventually clear their record and have their convictions reduced to a misdemeanor or dismissed. A transcript of the podcast is also available.
UC NEWS AND GENERAL NEWS
CDC: Unvaxxed 29 times more likely to be hospitalized
The agency cited a study that tracked more than 43,000 cases in Los Angeles County from May 1 to July 25.
What’s the role of in-person classes in spreading COVID?
Research led by UCI pediatrician Dr. Dan Cooper lines up with other studies that show kids who caught COVID-19 were typically infected off-campus, not in school.
EVENTS
Free Friday forum on delta variant
In back-to-back video conference panels moderated by Dr. Steve Goldstein, vice chancellor for UCI Health Affairs, experts will weigh in on the delta variant and answer viewer questions about how it may affect Orange County businesses, schools and children. Segment 1 begins at noon Friday; segment 2 starts around 12:45 p.m.
Visit today.uci.edu to see and submit event listings. Events of general interest will be shared in UCI Digest two days before they occur.
UCI IN THE NEWS
For college students in California, the only common ground is uncertainty
Los Angeles Times, Aug. 25
Cited: students Steven Gong and Jasmine Mendoza
‘HOAs are basically neighborhood tyranny systems’ — why people are blasting homeowner’s associations on Twitter
MarketWatch, Aug. 24
Cited: Matthew Freedman, economics professor
60% of Older Workers Say Being Old Hurts Their Future Job Prospects
Forbes, Aug. 24
Cited: David Neumark, Distinguished professor of economics
COVID-19 NOTIFICATION AND RESOURCES
Four new campus cases
Four on-campus students (but no on-campus employees) tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday. For more information, visit the UCI COVID-19 dashboard.
Potential workplace exposure
UCI provides this notification of a potential workplace COVID-19 exposure. Employees and subcontractors who were in these locations on the dates listed may have been exposed to the coronavirus. You may be entitled to various benefits under applicable federal and state laws and University-specific policies and agreements. The full notification is available on the UCI Forward site. If you have been identified as a close contact to a COVID-19 case, the UCI Contact Tracing Program will contact you and provide additional direction.
For COVID-19 questions
UCI Forward - information on campus status and operational updates
UCI Health COVID-19 Updates - important information related to UCI Health
UCI Coronavirus Response Center - available at covid19@uci.edu or via phone at (949) 824-9918
Contact Tracing and Vaccine Navigation Services - assistance with vaccines and vaccine uploads; available at contacttracing@uci.edu or via phone at (949) 824-2300
Program in Public Health chatline - answers to questions about COVID-19
For questions specific to your personal health situation, please contact your doctor or healthcare provider.