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‘THE WEEKLY DOCTORDOUG REPORT’

August 10, 2025

THERE IS NO FLU AROUND…..BUT TIME TO START THINKING ABOUT FLU SHOTS IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER.

COVID IS LOW BUT STILL AROUND. NO SUMMER SURGE CURRENTLY IN ARIZONA.

STILL, THERE IS SOME NONSPECIFIC VIRAL UPPER RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS AROUND. SEEING THIS IN THE COMMUNITY AND IN THOSE WITH LITTLE CHILDREN OR GRANDCHILDREN.

IN OUR PRACTICE… COVID IS BEING SEEN AMONG TRAVELERS TO EUROPE AND THOSE WHO HAVE NEVER HAD COVID BEFORE.  IF YOU ARE HIGH RISK AND OVER 65 OR OVER 80…YOU SHOULD BE GETTING EVERY 6 MONTHS COVID SHOTS THAT ARE PROVEN TO REDUCE SEVERE INFECTION AND HOSPITALIZATION.  

INFORMATION ON THE UPCOMING FALL COVID VACCINE:

ROLL OUT OF THE NEW VACCINE HAS NOT BEEN DEFINED…WE DO NOT KNOW THE EXACT DATES BUT WILL KEEP YOU INFORMED WEEKLY ON THIS TOPIC (SEE BELOW).

IF YOU ARE OVER 65 AND IT HAS BEEN MORE THAN A YEAR SINCE YOU HAVE HAD COVID OR HAVE HAD A VACCINATION IT IS FINE TO GET THE CURRENT VACCINE.  WAITING IS ALSO REASONABLE IF YOU PREFER TO HAVE THE MOST UPDATED VERSION, BUT TIMING ON THE NEW VACCINE IS NOT DEFINED. IT IS FINE TO GET THE CURRENT VACCINE. IT WILL PROVIDE SIGNIFICANT PROTECTION.

THIS SEASONS FLU VACCINE AND AVAILABILITY AND TIMING:

The 2025–2026 seasonal flu vaccine is now becoming available in the United States. Major manufacturers, including GSK, Sanofi, and CSL Seqirus, began shipping flu vaccine doses to healthcare providers, pharmacies, and health systems immediately following the FDA’s licensing and lot-release approval in early July 2025. This means that doses should be arriving at clinics and pharmacies throughout August.

Most national pharmacy chains, such as CVS and Walgreens, typically start offering flu vaccinations to the public beginning in mid-August each year. Patients can generally expect to begin vaccination appointments as early as mid-August, with continued availability through the fall.

The CDC advises the optimal timing for flu vaccination is September and October, and that everyone 6 months and older should be immunized by the end of October for best protection before peak flu activity.

Key points for this flu season:

• Flu vaccine doses for the 2025–2026 season are shipping now (as of July 2025) and will be widely available at pharmacies and providers starting mid-August.
• CDC and Medicare recommend vaccination ideally by the end of October, but vaccination should continue throughout the flu season

• TAKING THE FLU SHOT AND COVID SHOT AT THE SAME TIME IS AOK AND HAS PROVEN TO BE SAFE, EFFECTIVE, AND DOES NOT LEAD TO INCREASED SIDE EFFECTS OR COMPLICATIONS.  THIS HAS BEEN STUDIED AND PROVEN.

HERE IS SUMMARY INFORMATION ON THE NEW COVID VACCINE FORMULATION PER PERPLEXITY AI:

The updated 2025–2026 COVID-19 vaccines are expected to become available in the United States starting in September 2025, with most major healthcare systems and pharmacies receiving supplies around the same time as the annual flu vaccine. The new vaccines are monovalent, JN.1-lineage-based formulas—preferentially the LP.8.1 strain—matching the dominant circulating variant and following FDA recommendations

Detailed Information on the Fall 2025 COVID-19 Vaccine

Vaccine Composition and Target 

• Formula: The 2025–2026 COVID-19 vaccine is a monovalent shot targeting the LP.8.1 strain, a member of the JN.1 lineage of Omicron. This update is designed to better match the predominant SARS-CoV-2 virus currently circulating in the U.S.

• Rationale: LP.8.1 is now responsible for about 70% of U.S. COVID-19 cases. The vaccine update aims to provide stronger protection and keep pace with viral evolution.

Manufacturers and Types

• mRNA Vaccines: Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech will produce updated mRNA vaccines using the new LP.8.1 antigen.

• Protein-based Vaccine: Novavax (Nuvaxovid™) will offer a protein-based, non-mRNA option, approved for adults 65+ and those 12–64 at high risk for severe COVID-19.

• All vaccines will be updated to target LP.8.1 for the 2025–2026 season.

Effectiveness and Immune Response

• Neutralizing Antibodies: Lab and early clinical data show that vaccines targeting LP.8.1 generate a similar or modestly higher immune response against circulating JN.1-derived variants compared to previous vaccines.

• Protection: Mathematical modeling and early studies suggest that the LP.8.1-based vaccine may offer improved effectiveness and longer duration of protection compared to earlier JN.1 or KP.2-based vaccines.

• Breakthroughs: As with previous vaccines, some breakthrough infections may occur, but the main benefit is a reduced risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death.

Eligibility and Access

• Priority Groups: The vaccine will be primarily available to adults 65 and older and those 12–64 with high-risk conditions (e.g., asthma, diabetes, cancer, obesity, smoking).

• Healthy Adults & Children: Routine access for healthy adults under 65 and children may be limited, pending further studies and policy updates.

• Rollout Timing: Vaccines are expected to be distributed to clinics and pharmacies in the fall, as soon as manufacturing is complete.

Safety and Side Effects

• Safety Profile: The updated vaccines are expected to have a safety profile similar to previous versions. The most common side effects are mild and include soreness at the injection site, fatigue, and mild fever.

• Rare Risks: Novavax and other vaccines continue to be monitored for rare side effects such as myocarditis and pericarditis, especially in younger populations.

Dosing and Recommendations

• Older Adults (65+): Recommended to receive two doses, spaced six months apart.

• High-Risk Individuals (12–64): Eligible for at least one dose; specifics may vary by risk factors and vaccine type.

• Immunocompromised: May have different recommendations—consult your healthcare provider.

Why the Update?

• Virus Evolution: The LP.8.1 strain has surpassed previous variants (like JN.1 and KP.2) in prevalence and shows some increased immune resistance, making updated vaccines necessary to maintain protection.

• Annual Strategy: The approach now mirrors the flu vaccine, with yearly updates to match the most relevant strains.

What to Expect

• Continued Monitoring: The FDA and CDC will monitor vaccine safety and effectiveness as the season progresses and will update recommendations if needed.

TOP PODCAST DONE WEEKLY

BY DR. MICHAEL OSTERHOLM

(UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA)  

He is a world-renowned epidemiologist who was credited with first elucidating TOXIC SHOCK SYNDROME in the 1980’s.

He provides comprehensive and understandable/actionable ideas related to COVID.

Dr. Osterholm Update: COVID-19 Podcast

August 7, 2025

'Are We at Risk of Losing Our Vaccines?'

In "Are We At Risk of Losing Our Vaccines?," Dr. Osterholm and Chris Dall discuss declining childhood vaccination rates, a statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics on non-medical exemptions for mandated vaccines, and the recent termination of $500 million in mRNA vaccine research contracts. Dr. Osterholm also covers the latest COVID data and shares another "This Week in Public Health History" segment. 

According to Dr. Osterholm……

•  GET YOUR LATEST AVAILABLE BOOSTER IF YOU HAVE NOT HAD COVID OR IT’S BEEN LONGER THAN 4 MONTHS SINCE YOU HAD COVID YOURSELF

•  A GOOD MASK, N95 OF KN95, DOES HELP REDUCE TRANSMISSION…. USE IT AT HIGH-RISK LOCATIONS

• GOOD VENTILATION IN ROOMS/HOME/BUSINESSES IS A GREAT WAY TO PREVENT TRANSMISSION

• VACCINE, VACCINE, VACCINE…THIS IS OUR PROTECTION. ALL VACCINES ARE EFFECTIVE AND WITH TIME WE ARE SEEING THAT

• BOOST, BOOST, BOOST…THIS WILL BE NECESSARY TO PREVENT RECURRING SURGE AND TO RAISE ANTIBODY LEVELS IN THOSE ALREADY SET WITH THE PRIMARY COVID VACCINE SERIES.

• ANTIGEN TESTING IS USEFUL, BUT OF LIMITED VALUE. DON’T DEPEND ON IT…BUT USE IT.

Know that unvaccinated remain a source of potential infection. Avoiding unvaccinated persons will reduce your risk of COVID.

Schedule Your Flu Vaccine with us Today!

480.614.5800

The summer surge of COVID-19 doesn't appear to be slowing down — instead, a key indicator for tracking the spread of the virus has increased, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In an update shared Friday, official data showed wastewater activity for COVID-19 is now at a "moderate" level nationwide, up from "low" the previous week. 

Wastewater levels for the virus are currently the highest in the Western U.S., the data also showed. States in this region showing high levels include: Alaska, California, Colorado, Nevada and Utah.

"Wastewater monitoring can detect viruses spreading from one person to another within a community earlier than clinical testing and before people who are sick go to their doctor or hospital," the CDC notes. "If you see increased wastewater viral activity levels, it might indicate that there is a higher risk of infection."



Other metrics are also showing increases in the illness. As of Tuesday, the CDC estimates COVID-19 infections are growing or likely growing in 45 states, which is up from 40 states last week. 

Deaths from “flesh-eating” bacteria are on the rise across the southeastern coasts of the U.S. At least five people in Florida, four in Louisiana and one in the Outer Banks have died this year from infections that can cause necrotizing wounds.

The culprit, the bacteria Vibrio vulnificus, thrives in warm seawater. Florida has seen 16 cases this year, according to the state’s health department. Seventeen cases have been reported in Louisiana — more than previous years’ annual averages. North Carolina has seen seven cases this year so far, the state Department of Health and Human Services confirmed to NBC News. And Mississippi has had three cases so far this year, the state’s health department says.



Initial deaths from the infection in Florida were reported in counties spread around the state’s extensive coastline, from Bay County in the Panhandle and Hillsborough County, where Tampa is, on the Gulf Coast, to Broward County in Southeastern Florida and St. Johns County just south of Jacksonville.

The bacteria can get into the body through open wounds in the skin and cause the surrounding tissue to die, a condition known as necrotizing fasciitis, or flesh-eating disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People can also get Vibrio vulnificus from eating contaminated foods, particularly raw oysters. It’s unclear how the people in Florida were infected.

West Nile virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States. It is most commonly spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. Cases of West Nile occur during mosquito season, which starts in the summer and continues through fall.

There are no vaccines to prevent or medicines to treat West Nile in people. Fortunately, most people infected with West Nile virus do not feel sick. About 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms. About 1 out of 150 infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness. Reduce your risk of West Nile by preventing mosquito bites.

After you received your COVID or any other vaccination outside our office, please let us know!

We would like to document this information into your chart.



What we need:

1. Your name
2. Name & date of vaccination received
3. Brand name
4. Lot number if available
5. Which dose you have received

US Measles Cases and Outbreaks Continue Steady Rise

In a weekly update today, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 23 more measles cases, bringing the national total for the year to 1,356 cases, the most since the United States achieved measles elimination in 2000.

One more state reported cases, Wisconsin, lifting the number of affected states to 41. Three more outbreaks were reported, putting the nation’s total at 32 for the year. For comparison, the country had 16 outbreaks for all of 2024. 

Of confirmed illnesses this year, 87% were part of outbreaks, compared with 69% for 2024. And of infected patients, 92% were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status. Though about 65% of cases occurred in children, 34% were recorded in adults ages 20 years and older.

The Trump administration is terminating 22 contracts focused on developing mRNA vaccines and winding down additional federal investments in mRNA technology, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Tuesday.

Many scientists and infectious disease experts swiftly denounced the move as a broadside on an area of research seen as particularly promising after its use in rapidly developing Covid vaccines.

The projects that are being axed were funded by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), a Department of Health and Human Services program that works with the pharmaceutical industry to develop vaccines and other countermeasures for public health emergencies.

“This isn’t just about vaccines,” Rick Bright, who directed BARDA from 2016 to 2020, said in a text message. “It’s about whether we’ll be ready when the next crisis hits. Cutting mRNA development now puts every American at greater risk.”

We Are Here to Take Care of Your Healthcare Needs.

We Are Here to Serve!

Our office is using techniques to reduce exposure to a minimum during your visit. These include: 

• Multiple Super-HEPA filters to filter out potential virus and

particles in the office.

• High Level UV light air cleansing in the office to eliminate

bacteria and viruses in the air.

OUR OFFICE SCHEDULE  

DOORS OPEN     

7AM - 4PM Monday through Thursday

7AM - 11AM Friday

IN OFFICE

APPOINTMENTS: MONDAY – THURSDAY

7AM – 11:15AM & 1PM – 3:30PM

APPOINTMENTS: FRIDAY

7AM – 10:30 AM

DR. LAKIN WILL CONTINUE ‘TELEHEALTH’ VISITS WITH FaceTime, WhatsApp or ZOOM WHEN NEEDED.

Dr. Lakin's Info For COVID-19 Kit &

Recommended Treatments

SUMMARY OF A COVID KIT & CHECK LIST:

This is what you should have at home to prepare for possible COVID, to monitor yourself if you were to get infected:

DIGITAL ORAL THERMOMETER: MANY BRANDS ARE FINE…HERE IS ONE EXAMPLE:

PULSE OXIMETER:  TO CHECK OXYGEN LEVELS. MANY BRANDS ARE FINE...HERE IS ONE EXAMPLE:

OTHER ITEMS FROM THE HOME MEDICAL KIT:

• TYLENOL, ADVIL, OR ALEVE
• Sudafed 30mg tablets
• Chlorpheniramine 4mg tablets
• Robitussin DM syrup
• Imodium AD

'Hachi: A Dog's Tale'

This heartwarming true story is an American adaptation of a Japanese tale about a loyal dog named Hachiko. This very special friend would accompany his master to the train station every day and return each afternoon to greet him after work.

Sadly his master departs one day, passes away and never returns to the station.

Stay Safe!