Covid Vaccine Race

A recent study examined whether immune response to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine differed by age and gender.

The filing included data from their phase 2/3 trial in this pediatric age group.

Immune escape for the BA.2 subvariant, or “stealth Omicron,” was not as severe as that of the original Omicron variant, a new study suggests.

Investigators used electronic health records (EHR) to perform surveillance of the safety of 3 doses of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines.

A group of over 60 scientists participated in a communication to the federal agency to advocate for measuring these cells in COVID-19 vaccine trials.

Investigators consider the low rate of vaccination in the rapidly increasing migrant populations in Europe, and call for improved strategies.

The investigational vaccine's findings from their phase 1/2 clinical trial were reported at the World Vaccine Congress.

With an evolving understanding of T-cells in immunity and emerging SARS-Co-V2 strains, evaluating these vital protection cells can offer researchers insights into response and how to develop future therapies and vaccines.

The company says its first bivalent investigational vaccine, mRNA-1273.211, was efficacious against the Beta, Delta, and Omicron strains. They have identified another bivalent booster, mRNA-1273.214, which the company sees as its leading candidate for a fall 2022 scheduled dosing.

The 36-fold increase in Omicron neutralizing titers in children between 5-11 years old is providing data for the companies to be able to file for an FDA EUA in this age group.

A study presented at the SHEA 2022 conference determined how common and severe breakthrough infections were for Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Janssen COVID-19 vaccine recipients.

Although the numbers overall remain relatively low, the city states the rising cases as the reason for its decision.

Adding v-safe active monitoring to VAERS passive reporting produced "most comprehensive" program, and affirmed COVID-19 vaccine safety.

Here is a rundown of the most popular stories we covered this past week.

As this is National Public Health Week, and COVID-19 is still top of mind for clinicians and public health officials, what is it going to take for it to become a secondary issue.

After the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) fully authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccine, series-completing second doses increased substantially. However, first vaccine doses were actually administered at lower rates after the approval.

New data coming from Israel shows the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine did offer some protection initially, but waning immunity occurs rapidly.

A pair of new studies in the Journal of the American Medical Association add to growing evidence that COVID-19 vaccines are safe during pregnancy, showing no increased risk for adverse outcomes among women who were vaccinated during pregnancy and their babies.

Here is a rundown of the most popular stories we covered this past week.

One day after the FDA approved second booster shots for certain vulnerable populations, the National Institute of Health (NIH) announced they have begun enrolling adult US participants in a phase 2 clinical trial to evaluate a second COVID-19 booster dose.

The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna mRNA vaccines were found to produce different antibody and killer T-cell responses, suggesting a “mix and match” booster approach may provide the best protection against COVID-19.

New policy appears inconsistent and, on the surface, unfair, expert says.

The new action by the federal agency now means the additional booster shot can be administered to people 50 years and older.

The federal agency is expected to provide the EUAs prior to their next VRBPAC meeting on April 6.

Check out the important stories we covered this week.

The company is developing a single combination vaccine to cover SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) as well as another candidate for endemic human coronaviruses.

This designation of the company’s respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine candidate, PF-06928316, will help to expedite its development and review.

The findings are significant given that a second booster dose may soon be recommended.

Along with reporting positive data in the youngest pediatric population, the company is working with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for emergency use authorization of its vaccine in children 6 years to under 11 years as well as the 12-17 age groups.

COVID-19 vaccines were less protective against symptomatic infection from the Omicron COVID-19 variant than the Delta variant.