Top 5 Infectious Disease Stories: Fauci’s Retirement and More

We’re kicking off this week with the top infectious disease news you may have missed.

1. Fauci Announces Retirement

Yesterday, Anthony Fauci, MD, announced he will step down as White House chief medical advisor and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) director, effective in December 2022.

As chief medical adviser, Fauci stewarded the country through the coronavirus pandemic during both the Trump and Biden Administrations. At the height of the pandemic, Fauci attracted a cult following, as well as many staunch opponents.

Fauci is today most known for his swift COVID-19 response, including vigilant quarantine and masking recommendations. However, as NIAID director, Fauci advised 7 US presidents through myriad public health crises, including HIV/AIDS, West Nile virus, the 2001 anthrax attacks, Ebola, Zika, and now monkeypox.

“After more than 50 years of government service, I plan to pursue the next phase of my career while I still have so much energy and passion for my field,” Fauci said. “I want to use what I have learned as NIAID Director to continue to advance science and public health and to inspire and mentor the next generation of scientific leaders as they help prepare the world to face future infectious disease threats.”

2. Report Finds "Mix-and-Match" COVID-19 Booster Approach More Effective

People who initially received an mRNA vaccine but were boosted with the Janssen vaccine had superior immune responses, the study found.

3. How Many People Contract Omicron Without Knowing?

56% of adults with evidence of Omicron seropositivity did not know they were infected.

4. Pfizer-BioNTech File for Authorization for Bivalent Booster COVID-19 Vaccine

The companies are requesting the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for 30-µg booster dose of an Omicron BA.4/BA.5-adapted bivalent COVID-19 vaccine for individuals 12 years of age and older.

5. COVID-19 Antibody Levels Rise Higher, Fall Faster in Children

Durable immune responses are seen in all age groups, even with significant discrepancies in antibody levels between children and adults.

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