Melanie, do you know of any efforts to develop an inoculation for avian pox? With what we know about smallpox, it would seem a straightforward thing to do.
Hi Paul, that's actually a really complicated question, because there are multiple forms of avian pox. Vaccination is used in commercial poultry, but there's some evidence that the vaccine strain may actually be one of the strains that's affecting wild birds (a disturbing possibility and one that makes me grateful for new vaccine technology like mRNA).
There has been some work in creating a vaccine that could be used for kiwi, but I haven't heard of anything for shore plover. It's something I should probably follow up on with my interest in vaccination.
We're actually (finally) heading to the US next week to get it. We weren't eligible for any vaccine when we were back in Australia a few months ago, and the country we work in hasn't consistently been offering vaccines for its expat workers - which although frustrating, makes sense - the greater need is obviously the local population given the standard of medical care they have access to. I'm just pumped that we'll finally get some protection for ourselves!
Apologies, I realise that I didn't respond. I haven't looked at Moderna efficacy recently, and I just had a check of Katelyn Jetelina's Substack (Your Local Epidemiologist) and it doesn't look like she has (she's a really great source). Great that you're getting your vaccination soon.
Thanks Melanie, I have just donated 10 vaccines.
Thank you, I'm glad you liked the article.
Melanie, do you know of any efforts to develop an inoculation for avian pox? With what we know about smallpox, it would seem a straightforward thing to do.
Hi Paul, that's actually a really complicated question, because there are multiple forms of avian pox. Vaccination is used in commercial poultry, but there's some evidence that the vaccine strain may actually be one of the strains that's affecting wild birds (a disturbing possibility and one that makes me grateful for new vaccine technology like mRNA).
There has been some work in creating a vaccine that could be used for kiwi, but I haven't heard of anything for shore plover. It's something I should probably follow up on with my interest in vaccination.
Thanks for setting out complex information in a really straightforward way. I know this was written a month ago now, but wondering if you've looked yet at the benefit of Moderna against Pfizer for the Delta variant https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/moderna-may-be-superior-pfizer-against-delta-breakthrough-odds-rise-with-time-2021-08-09/
We're actually (finally) heading to the US next week to get it. We weren't eligible for any vaccine when we were back in Australia a few months ago, and the country we work in hasn't consistently been offering vaccines for its expat workers - which although frustrating, makes sense - the greater need is obviously the local population given the standard of medical care they have access to. I'm just pumped that we'll finally get some protection for ourselves!
Apologies, I realise that I didn't respond. I haven't looked at Moderna efficacy recently, and I just had a check of Katelyn Jetelina's Substack (Your Local Epidemiologist) and it doesn't look like she has (she's a really great source). Great that you're getting your vaccination soon.