(Bloomberg Law 8/25, Muller, Subscription Publication) reports, “Almost 40% of people hospitalized in the US with the COVID subvariant that circulated this spring were vaccinated and boosted, highlighting how new strains have mutated to more readily escape the immunity offered by current shots,” according to findings from the CDC. Bloomberg Law adds, “From the end of March through May, when the Omicron BA.2 and BA.2.12.1 subvariants were dominant in the US, weekly hospitalization rates increased for all adults – with those over 65 hit the hardest.”

The excerpt above was received by Dr. Sachdev from Medical News Roundup (an email publication for physicians)

From Dr. Sachdev-
Before the COVID-19 pandemic pharmaceutical companies were working to develop vaccines for the common cold. Cold infections are usually caused by rhinovirus, coronavirus or respiratory syncytial virus(RSV). It was my understanding that an effective vaccine had not been approved because these viruses frequently mutate, creating a moving target for big pharma.

I never supported developing a vaccine to protect against common cold infections, having a cold is inconvenient but the symptoms are usually mild and self limiting. The immune system, like any other organ system, needs to be stimulated regularly to function properly. Some scientists have proposed that  the overuse of vaccinations, antibiotics, and other measures have led to hypersensitive immune systems which may be responsible for the increase in allergic reactions, food or environmental intolerances and autoimmune diseases. The immune system, just like the musculoskeletal system, functions best when it is exercised regularly.  The immune system becomes more competent fighting infections after developing innate expertise from past infections. 

I believe it is normal for children to be exposed to cold viruses and other childhood infections. Having symptoms of infection is inconvenient but well worth the long term investment in developing natural lifelong immunocompetency.  I do not believe vaccines are as effective as the innate immunity that a person gains from having recovered from an infection like chickenpox or mononucleosis. 

It is also important to note that vaccines are only effective when the immune system is robust and performing properly. As an integrative provider, I will continue to advise my patients to support their immune systems through adequate rest, nutrition and hydration. 

Excerpt from a recent news update in Medpage Today:

"Normal testosterone levels in men might be protective against severe COVID-19, a retrospective cohort study suggested.

Among 723 men with a mean age of 55, those who had hypogonadism had a higher risk of hospitalization for COVID-19 versus men with eugonadism (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.4-4.4, P<0.003). Of these men, 45% with hypogonadism were hospitalized with COVID-19 versus only 12% with eugonadism, the group noted in JAMA Network Open.

"The fact that testosterone treatment lowered the risk further solidified our finding that low testosterone should be considered a risk factor for hospitalization from COVID".- Sandeep Dhindsa, MD, of St. Louis University School of Medicine in Missouri

The study's findings build upon prior research led by Dhindsa, which found that men with severe COVID illness tended to have significantly lower testosterone levels at the time of diagnosis than men with mild cases: 151 ng/dL versus 53 ng/dL. This trend also held true throughout the course of COVID illness."

​Link to this article:
https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/covid19/100520​