this post was submitted on 03 Jan 2024
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[–] overzeetop@lemmy.world 2 points 10 months ago

ICU docs who deal with many flu, COVID and other respiratory critical illness

While almost certainly not incompetent at their jobs, they have little reason to have specific knowledge of vaccine efficacy. Without some active immunological research component (which an ICU doctor is unlikely to undertake), they are practitioners seeing a self-selecting population and drawing conclusions from anecdotal evidence. You may as well ask an auto mechanic what they think of a newly formulated fuel additive. Not a slight to the doctors, but a recognition that it's not their specialty no matter how many vehicles they see.

I've read the same thing - that the current iteration of the vaccine is not specific to the most prevalent version of Covid at the moment and is not exceptionally effective at preventing infection. But I've also read that the prevalence of complications from the most recent strain are substantially decreased for those who have gotten (the|a recent) vaccine booster. I wouldn't trust me or my knowledge either though, as I'm not a doctor, much less a degree in immunology. For my information I usually get updates from a good friend who has her PhD in immunology, worked in a lab for two decades, and is now a scientific writer for an immunological journal and sees many of the new research papers coming out.

Personally, it costs me nothing financially to get the vaccine and my reaction is minor at worst with no down time. Same as influenza. OTOH, I stand to lose a great deal, financially, if I get sick (no work=no income) so I will continue to get boosted as new versions come out and I'm eligible.