Updated Information About COVID-19 From
Dr. Laura, DODD Medical Director
What changed with COVID-19?
As COVID-19 continues to circulate, genetic variants have been identified. It is not unexpected that the virus causing COVID-19 is changing. The nature of RNA viruses is to evolve and change.
Why is the Delta Variant different?
The difference in the Delta Variant is that it is at least 50% more transmissible or contagious. Earlier in the pandemic, the main strain was Alpha. One person with Alpha might infect two to three people. Now, one person with Delta might infect five to nine people
What can you do?
If you haven't already, vaccination is recommended. If you are immunocompromised, ask your doctor if a third vaccine dose is right for you. Vaccinations are still highly effective against the Delta Variant. Vaccinations protect against "morbidity and mortality" or being very ill with COVID-19 to the point of being in the ICU or dying. According to the CDC, during the recent surge of people requiring hospitalization for COVID-19, 97% are unvaccinated.
FDA Approved Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Renamed Comirnaty
On August 23, 2021, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine has been known as the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, and will now be marketed as Comirnaty (Koe-mir'-na-tee), for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years of age and older. The vaccine also continues to be available under emergency use authorization (EUA), including for individuals 12 through 15 years of age and for the administration of a third dose in certain immunocompromised people.
Learn more about Comirnaty on the FDA website, including fact sheets and FAQs.
DODD Vaccine Resources
DODD has vaccine resources for vaccine providers, people with disabilities, and their families available here.
