Pfizer Begins Testing COVID-19 Vaccine Targeted to Omicron
New U.S. study will assess the updated, omicron-targeted vaccine for use as a booster or for primary vaccinations
Viral Infections
Omicron Shows Signs of Ebbing as US Cases Fall, Hospitalizations Level Off
More states have now reported they have passed their peaks in new cases, and new cases have begun to drop nationally
Free N95 Masks Begin Arriving in US Pharmacies
Masks already set up for distribution at some Hy-Vee and Meijer grocery stores in the Midwest
FDA Restricts Use of 2 Monoclonal Antibody Therapies Due to Omicron Variant
These monoclonal antibody treatments were found to be “highly unlikely to be active against the Omicron variant, which is circulating at a very high frequency throughout the United States.”
Vaccination, Previous Infection Protect Against COVID-19
During period of delta predominance, protection was lower among vaccinated persons without previous COVID-19 diagnosis
FDA Greenlights Use of Veklury for Outpatient COVID-19 Treatment
Veklury is a nucleotide analogue with broad spectrum antiviral activity.
COVID-19 Boosters Keep Older Americans Out of Hospitals: CDC
Chances of hospitalization for COVID-19 more than 40 times higher for those who are unvaccinated than for those with full vaccination and booster
US Insurers Could Spend Millions for Ivermectin Rx for COVID-19
Claims data for private insurance and Medicare Advantage plans show spike in inappropriate ivermectin prescriptions for COVID-19
MPR Weekly Dose Podcast Episode 104
This week, two new approvals for atopic dermatitis; Warnings around counterfeit HIV treatments; Some US indications for Zydelig are withdrawn; CDC pediatric flu vaccine study results; And an FDA warning against certain COVID-19 antibody tests.
Counterfeit HIV Medications Removed From US Supply Chain
Gilead has “executed seizures at 17 locations in 9 states, seizing thousands of bottles of Gilead-labeled medication with counterfeit supply chain documentation.”
