Covid Vaccine Race

Jacinda Abdul-Mutakabbir, PharmD, discusses the difference between the original SARS-CoV-2 strain and subvariant strains.

What makes Novavax’s COVID-19 booster different? The adjuvanted vaccine “has kept recognizing variants that arise,” says Novavax executive director Germán Áñez, MD.

The Novavax booster dose administered in a small study induced more robust antibody responses and its safety profile was considered favorable.

Moderna’s new bivalent COVID-19 booster, which includes 25 micrograms each of messenger RNAs from the Wuhan-Hu-1 and Omicron B.1.1.529 variants of SARS-CoV-2, elicited antibody responses that were superior to those elicited by the original vaccine.

Preliminary results from a phase 2/3 trial suggest Pfizer-BioNTech’s Omicron BA.4/BA.5 bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccine provides better protection for younger and older adults.

The Moderna vaccine can be administered to children as young as six years old and the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for kids as young as five years old.

A comprehensive cohort study of COVID-19 data has reinforced the effectiveness of the various vaccines, boosters, and prior infection in protecting against infection, hospitalization and death.

A recent study broke down hospitalizations associated with COVID-19 in adults between January 2021 and April of this year, based upon vaccination status.

The CDC is urging all eligible persons to receive a flu shot, but a new survey shows fewer adults are planning to get the vaccine this season.

Largest extended study of outcomes after rare myocarditis from mRNA COVID-19 vaccines finds most recover and regain quality of life.

“Vaccines are the most highly scrutinized public health interventions we know,” said Donald Alcendor, PhD.

The investigational therapy demonstrated time to first resolution of the five COVID-19 symptoms was significantly reduced in those treated with low dose of medication.

Interim data show a bivalent vaccine that contains the Omicron variant may be more effective.

These vaccines target the wild strain as well as the Omicron BA.4/BA.5 variants.

Investigators examined all-cause excess mortality and sought to uncouple it from COVID-19 in US states with high vaccination rates.

Bifidobacterium and Bacteroides in the gut microbiome are important to vaccine responsiveness and could be used in vaccine adjuvants in the future, a recent review shows.

The vaccine is available in adults 18 years and older.

Investigators surmise a natural bat exposure within certain areas of the world may correspond with lower COVID-19 incidence rates.

Injected COVID-19 mRNA vaccines alone were ineffective at producing mucosal antibody responses, according to a recent study that suggested seeking new strategies such as intranasal vaccines.

COVID-19 disease severity was mild in individuals in Qatar infected with the Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 sublineages with vaccination and booster doses reducing risks even further, a new study showed.

Valneva’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate, VLA2001, demonstrated superior virus-neutralizing antibodies compared to the AstraZeneca vaccine.

The federal agency's recommendation for both the Moderna and the Pfizer-BioNTech updated bivalent vaccines allows people to get the booster dose this fall.

This Emergency Use Authorization for the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines brings them both one step closer for people to become eligible for these boosters.

AIVITA’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate contains only the subject’s primed immune cells.

A new study found that patients hospitalized with COVID-19 are at significantly higher risk for venous thromboembolism in the ensuing 3 months than are patients hospitalized with influenza.

A study published this week by the American Heart Association found myocarditis was more common after COVID-19 infection than after COVID-19 vaccination.

The Cambridge-MA., company accuses Pfizer and BioNTech of copying patented technology in the development of their COVID-19 vaccine.

Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna have developed new booster shots optimized for Omicron. They could be approved as soon as Labor Day.

If granted the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), this vaccine would be available for individuals 18 years and older.

Read this week’s top infectious disease stories you may have missed, including Dr. Anthony Fauci’s announcement.