Why our ‘killer’ immune cells are so often overlooked, and what part they might play in protecting us from SARS-CoV-2. Plus, debunked posts about scientists endure on social media and exploring the need for an Omicron vaccine.
, say public-health authorities and infectious-disease specialists. Some think it might not be worthwhile because Omicron cases could plummet before manufacturers can finalize the vaccines. Others question how useful the shot might be against future variants. How the current vaccines are performing against Omicron is a key factor in the decision.
So far, real-world data suggest that a third dose of a messenger-RNA-based vaccine, such as those made by Pfizer and Moderna, protects most people infected with Omicron against severe illness, at least in the short term.Some bats have an anatomical quirk in their ears that could explain how they evolved to hunt in specialized ways, from sensing small fish to catching insects midflight.