Coronavirus

The next-generation vaccine candidate, BNT162b5, consists of RNAs encoding enhanced prefusion spike proteins for the SARS-CoV-2 ancestral strain and an Omicron variant.

Health care facilities in counties with higher Black populations and in rural areas were less likely to serve as COVID-19 vaccination facilities during May 2021, indicating disparities in vaccine distribution.

Researchers found high levels of childcare stress among female and racial minority health care workers, supporting new programs and wellbeing initiatives.

A majority of long-term care patients who received a fourth vaccination against COVID-19 were found to have increased protection against the omicron variant.

The pandemic saw reductions in the supply of methadone but no disruption to the supply of more easily accessible buprenorphine, though disparities in supply were observed across states.

People who are afraid of shots or feel lightheaded and dizzy while near vaccine injection sites are less likely to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

The immune responses to the Omicron variant waned substantially with neutralizing antibody levels decreasing 2.4- to 5.3-fold by 3 months after the booster dose.

After a second booster dose, efficacy against COVID-19 Omicron subvariants rose to 80% within the first 6 months, according to results of a study by the CDC.

No differences were found among placenta health indictors, birth weights, or well-being scores between vaccinated and unvaccinated pregnant women, indicating that COVID-19 vaccination is safe for use in pregnant women.

SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with post-COVID-19 conditions for children, with associated risk factors including length of hospitalization, number of acute symptoms, and older age.

Study findings coincide with the US government considering recommendations of a second COVID-19 booster dose for adults under 50 years of age.

Daniel Gagnon, VP of Global UPS Healthcare, discusses vaccine equity panel discussion at the UPS Impact Summit in Atlanta, which was held at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.

COVID-19 vaccination averted infection in 10% of NHS health care workers and reduced absence from work by nearly 70%.

Fewer than half of eligible veterans enrolled in the Veterans Health Administration have received their COVID-19 booster.

Results of analysis also show they have a much higher incidence of dying in the hospital than those without the virus.

The numbers dropped sharply in March 2020 from before the pandemic among men who have sex with men and individuals who inject drugs.

Unvaccinated first responders were more likely to doubt the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines than vaccinated counterparts, reporting low trust in the government.

The FDA granted the vaccine series Emergency Use Authorization on July 14, based on clinical trial data showing significant efficacy and safety.

For coinfected patients who first contract influenza A, replication of SARS-CoV-2 may be suppressed, even 1 week after clearance of influenza A.

Individuals vaccinated simultaneously with COVID-19 booster and influenza vaccines may be more likely to experience systemic reactions and adverse health impacts.

It's really important that we capitalize on this time and the impact that pharmacists had to make some of this reform permanent.

Debbie Weitzman of Cardinal Health, discussed how independent retail pharmacies quickly adjusted during the pandemic.

People who regularly fasted for decades had lower risk of hospitalization or death from COVID-19, adding to the potential health benefits of intermittent fasting.

Donald Klepser, PhD, MBA, professor and dean of academic affairs at the College of Pharmacy in the University of Nebraska Medical Center, discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the role of pharmacy technicians and what is expected as we move forward.

NVX-CoV2373, a protein-based COVID-19 vaccine, may increase the country's vaccination rate for those hesitant to receive other vaccines.

Moderna is completing regulatory submissions for mRNA-1273.214 in preparation for the fall booster season, based on clinical data showing that the booster candidate has a significantly higher neutralizing antibody response against all tested variants including Omicron BA.4/5.

A booster dose of both Omicron-adapted vaccine candidates elicited a substantially higher immune response against Omicron BA.1.

David Pope, PharmD, CDE, the EVP of Innovation and Industry Relations at OmniSYS, discusses the FDA’s announcement updating pharmacists’ prescriptive authority for the COVID-19 antiviral Paxlovid.

Paxlovid treats COVID-19 in adults and children [12 years of age and older weighing at least 88 pounds (40 kg)] with positive results of direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing, and who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death.

As we learn more about inflammatory syndromes, we may get better at using laboratory tests to identify and isolate the actual cellular and chemical processes that drive them.