Panel discusses the SARS-CoV-2 immunology, COVID-19 vaccines, variants, breakthrough infections, and booster shots
PHILADELPHIA, October 12, 2021 – The ܼˮ̳ (ACP) and Annals of Internal Medicine hosted a virtual COVID-19 forum where expert panelists discussed the clinical implications of the immunology of SARS-CoV-2, the COVID-19 vaccines including the status of booster doses and the efficacy of vaccination in various groups.
The forum, SARS-CoV-2 Immunology: Clinical Implications, was the sixth in a series of forums hosted by ACP and Annals of Internal Medicine and was held on October 8. Invited experts offered their perspectives on the many clinical concerns. The panelists included:
- John R. Mascola, MD, Director, Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health;
- Camille Nelson Kotton, MD, Clinical Director, Transplant and Immunocompromised Host Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Associate Professor, Harvard Medical School
- Deborah Cotton, MD, MPH, Deputy Editor, Annals of Internal Medicine, served as a panelist and moderated the discussion
The full recording is available for and is published in Annals of Internal Medicine along with commentary by Christine Laine, MD, MPH, ACP senior vice president and editor-in-chief, Annals of Internal Medicine.
During the forum, the panelists addressed the accelerated vaccine development, including mRNA and structure-based vaccine design. They noted that the COVID-19 vaccines are the most intensive vaccine safety monitoring effort in U.S. history.
"Despite all we've learned in a short time, questions remain about SARS-CoV-2 and the spread of misinformation is rampant," said Dr. Laine. "In our latest forum, panelists addressed a variety of questions submitted by registrants, including questions about measuring antibody levels to guide behaviors ranging from masking and social distancing to use of booster vaccination. As always, our goal is to bring scientifically sound information to clinicians."
The forum also provided information on the vaccination of the immunocompromised along with the vaccination of those with prior COVID infection. The panelists reviewed the vaccines’ efficacy results, breakthrough infections, and COVID-19 variants of concern such as the Delta variant.
“These experts provided invaluable insight on the rapid development of the vaccines, their efficacy, and safety,” said George M. Abraham, MD, MPH, MACP, President, ACP. “This information could help those that are vaccine hesitant and combat COVID-19 misinformation.”
***
About the ܼˮ̳
The ܼˮ̳ is the largest medical specialty organization in the United States with members in more than 145 countries worldwide. ACP membership includes 161,000 internal medicine physicians (internists), related subspecialists, and medical students. Internal medicine physicians are specialists who apply scientific knowledge and clinical expertise to the diagnosis, treatment, and compassionate care of adults across the spectrum from health to complex illness. Follow ACP on , and .
About Annals of Internal Medicine
Annals of Internal Medicine is the flagship journal of the ܼˮ̳ (ACP). Annals is the most widely read and cited general internal medicine journal and one of the most influential peer-reviewed clinical journals in the world. Annals’ mission is to promote excellence in medicine, enable physicians and other health care professionals to be well-informed members of the medical community and society, advance standards in the conduct and reporting of medical research, and contribute to improving the health of people worldwide. New content is published every Tuesday at . Follow Annals on and @AnnalsofIM and on .
ACP Media Contact: Andrew Hachadorian, (215) 351-2514, AHachadorian@acponline.org
Annals Media Contact: Angela Collom, (215) 351