Coronavirus

An ongoing phase 2 clinical study has begun to vaccinate patients with a modified version of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine.

A recent survey showed that there is a significant preference among Americans to receive COVID-19 vaccines from a trusted health care provider, such as a pharmacist or physician.

Chad Landmon, JD, chair of intellectual property and FDA practice groups at Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider, discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the FDA’s approval process.

The potential for some people to skip the second COVID-19 vaccine dose may make more doses available to others.

Study respondents cited a distrust of the US government’s motives and transparency regarding COVID-19 and systemic racism in health care as the motivation for their distrust of the vaccines.

Pharmacists must first build trust with their communities in order to address vaccine hesitancy, according to Sally Arif, PharmD, BCPS.

In a recent statement, Walgreens announced that it has administered approximately 5 million COVID-19 vaccinations at long-term care facilities, in its stores, and through its vaccination clinics.

Pharmacy Times® interviewed Chad Landmon, JD, chair of intellectual property and FDA practice groups at Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider, on how to approach discussing the FDA’s expedited EUA process for COVID-19 vaccines with patients with concerns about the process.

The FDA has issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for a COVID-19 diagnostic test that can confirm recent or prior COVID-19 infection.

Pharmacy Times® interviewed Chad Landmon, JD, chair of intellectual property and FDA practice groups at Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider, on the FDA’s EUA process for COVID-19 vaccines.

The guidance said relaxing certain measures for vaccinated individuals may help improve COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and uptake.

The investigators urged continued safety measures, such as social distancing and school closures, in order to prevent more COVID-19 variant-related deaths and hospitalizations.

In a recent interview with Pharmacy Times, Council Powell, PharmD, region director with CVS, said pharmacists and technicians are hard at work administering COVID-19 vaccines around the country.

Pharmacy Times® interviewed Farah Towfic, PharmD, MBA, the director and CEO of operations at US Pharmacopeia, on the FDA’s approval of the Pfizer and BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine’s updated cold storage requirements.

The first vaccine dose alone offered strong protection against COVID-19, with efficacy that did not decline over the 3 months between doses.

ACIP issued an interim recommendation to the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine for use in individuals aged ≥18 years for the prevention of COVID-19.

President Joseph Biden announced a partnership between Merck and Johnson & Johnson, in which 2 of Merck’s facilities will begin producing the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, patients hospitalized with the disease have had more to face than just the fight against COVID-19, as co-infection with drug-resistant pathogens has been shown to also contribute to rates of mortality and readmission.

Amesh Adalja, MD, FIDSA, FACP, FACEP, discussed the distribution prospects for the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine in light of it being possible to store it at standard refrigeration temperatures for up to 3 months.

A recent study found that a combination of robust vaccination programs and strict physical distancing rules may be effective in the prevention of future COVID-19 infection surges.

Although there have been many challenges and concerns during the pandemic, experts said there are also lessons to be learned and implemented once the pandemic is over.

The CDC recommends that patients with cancer and COVID-19 have a conversation with their health care provider or care team to discuss the individual level of risk based on the patient’s current condition, treatment, and the level of transmission within their community.

APhA commended President Biden’s signing of the executive order in a press release, noting that adequate drug supply would be critical to ensuring pharmacists’ ability to provide care to patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Amesh Adalja, MD, FIDSA, FACP, FACEP, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, discusses how Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine provides effective support in prevention of severe disease and hospitalization.

It has taken both time and effort to address the equitable allocation of COVID-19 vaccinations, and in communities such as Prince George’s County in Maryland, significant effort has been made to address barriers to access.

In the LinkedIn Live session, “The Road Toward Vaccine Equity Webinar,” Walgreens highlighted their efforts toward helping fill the important gaps in care that address the unique concerns of minority communities.

As a majority of advanced pharmacy practice experiences need to include direct patient care, immunizing provides students an opportunity to provide this care along with consultation around the COVID-19 vaccine and adverse effects.

Approximately 2 million doses of Johnson & Johnson's single-dose COVID-19 vaccine are ready to ship and supply is expected to sharply increase, with up to 20 million doses available by the end of March.

In voting in favor of the recommendation, 22 committee members unanimously agreed that the benefits of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine outweigh its risks.

The flexibility could allow for easier storage and increased accessibility of the vaccine.