Coronavirus vaccine and Delta variant updates for 9-23-2021

<p>This is Vaccine 411, the latest coronavirus vaccine information for September 23rd, 2021.</p><p><br></p><p>A story for you optimists out there. An analysis by a consortium of researchers advising the CDC indicates the Delta surge looks like it’s peaking. Which means cases and deaths should decline steadily now through the spring as long as there’s not a big winter surge. The analysis was made by combining nine different mathematical models from different research groups.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The optimistic model for the next six months also assumes a new and dangerous variant won’t take hold. But the R.1 variant, which originated in Japan, has been identified at a Kentucky nursing home where it infected 45 residents and workers, many of whom were vaccinated. It has mutations that can improve “transmission, replication, and immune suppression.”</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The FDA gave the okay for extra shots of Pfizer vaccine for seniors and others at high risk. And it’s a little amazing the FDA is functioning as well as it is, because there is no permanent head of that agency. 10 months after the election, the current administration has yet to name one. Public health experts are baffled why this would be the case given the situation we’re in and insiders say staff at the agency is demoralized.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The kids are in school, but when it comes to teachers and school staff, there are desperate shortages nationwide. Notes are going to parents saying, “we’re hiring,” Principals are filling in as crossing guards, and of course, schools are moving back to online learning. COVID-19 has triggered a spike in retirements and resignations, for any number of reasons. </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Maybe those teachers are home drinking. Even though we hear so many people kvetching about the possible temporary side effects of getting vaccinated, they don’t seem worried about pickling their bodies with alcohol. A new Harris Poll shows nearly 1 in 5 Americans is consuming an unhealthy amount of alcohol. If you don’t know if you’re a h