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Now that Novavax is approved as a COVID booster dose, evidence shows that it has fewer side effects like muscle pain and body aches. Unlike Pfizer and Moderna’s vaccine, Novavax isn’t an mRNA vaccine. The evidence is mixed on whether it’s best to mix and match Novavax with mRNA vaccines - some studies show mixing is more effective, while others show it’s more effective to stick with mRNA vaccines. There are pros and cons to the type of protection you get from each. But either option is safe, and both slash your chances of getting serious complications from COVID. If you’re worried about feeling sick the day of or the day after your shot, getting the Novavax updated vaccine might be a good option for you.
Source: YLE
It’s too soon to say that COVID is seasonal because we actually get spikes throughout the year. There is a fall and winter virus season when colds, flu, RSV, and COVID are all in play. Unlike flu and RSV, which are seasonal and have standard spikes in the winter, COVID does seem to spike twice per year, once in the summer and again in the late fall or winter, but experts in virus patterns say that it’s too soon to say for sure if that pattern will continue. Much of it might be our own behavior - between precautionary measures and vaccination, it’s possible that the time between spikes stretches out until it’s just once a year, or it could be more variable than that. This year, the late summer spike might mean that protection stretches farther and the winter surge is pushed later in the year, though new variants could easily throw that theory for a loop. All in all, it’s still to early to say that COVID has seasons, and we’ll have to continue to monitor spikes and take vaccinations into account as we plan for future surges.
Source: WIRED
If you have lots of available rapid tests, you can certainly test as soon as you want to and repeat the test a few times, but you might not test positive for COVID until day three or even day four of your symptoms. If you have limited tests, it’s best to wait a few days to take one for a more accurate result since many rapid tests can show a negative result on the first couple of days of illness since your viral load is relatively low in your nose. Rapid tests tend to be most accurate on the fourth day of symptoms. As always, you should stay home if you have COVID or flu symptoms, even if the rapid test is negative.
Source: ABC