Publications by authors named "J Masarik"
Article Synopsis
- SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants may affect how well vaccines work and how long immunity lasts, prompting a study on the effectiveness of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine among different age groups in the U.S.
- From January 16 to May 28, 2022, researchers analyzed COVID-19 infection rates relative to vaccination status across multiple jurisdictions, tracking declines in vaccine effectiveness over time.
- Results showed lower vaccine protection in younger age groups, particularly those aged 5-11, and a general decline in effectiveness for all ages as time since vaccination increased, indicating a need to monitor waning immunity during the Omicron surge.
Article Synopsis
- Reinfections of SARS-CoV-2 in the U.S. have become more common, especially during the Omicron variant period, rising from 2.7% during Delta to 28.8% in Omicron BQ.1/BQ.1.1.
- Hospitalizations and deaths linked to reinfections also increased significantly, going from 1.9% and 1.2% of COVID-19-related cases during Delta, to 17.0% and 12.3% during Omicron BQ.1/BQ.1.1.
- Younger adults (18-49 years) had higher rates of reinfections compared to older adults (≥50 years), and it's crucial to stay updated on vaccinations
Article Synopsis
- CDC recommended a bivalent COVID-19 vaccine booster on September 1, 2022, for individuals aged ≥12 to enhance protection against waning immunity and new variants, later extending eligibility to those aged ≥6 months.
- During the late BA.4/BA.5 period, unvaccinated individuals faced significantly higher infection and mortality rates (14.1 and 2.8 times) compared to those who received bivalent boosters.
- Among older adults, mortality rates were notably lower for those with bivalent boosters versus unvaccinated individuals, highlighting the importance of vaccination as time since previous vaccination impacted protection levels.
RADON-PRONE AREAS IN SLOVAKIA PREDICTED BY RESCALED RADON POTENTIAL MAPS.
Radiat Prot Dosimetry
August 2022
Several scientific studies have shown that high content of radon in the soil environment can be a precursor of increased indoor radon levels. Inhabited areas where elevated indoor radon concentration appears for natural (geogenic) reasons are commonly referred to as radon-prone areas. In this study, radon-prone areas in the Slovak Republic were predicted on the basis of radon potential maps after its specific rescaling.
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