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Tag: Coronavirus

Coronavirus (COVID 19) Update: FDA Takes Multiple Actions to Expand Use of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine
7Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

Coronavirus (COVID 19) Update: FDA Takes Multiple Actions to Expand Use of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine

As of 1/03/2022, the FDA amended the emergency use authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in order to expand the use of a single booster dose, shorten the time between vaccine completion and booster, and allow for a third primary series dose. Boosters are now available to those that are 12 years and older. The booster interval is now updated to five months for those that are 12 years and older. All children from the ages of 5 to 11 who are immunocompromised have been approved for a third primary series dose if they fulfill the requirements. The booster dose for the authorized vaccines provide better protection from the delta and omicron variants. Most common side effects after receiving the booster shot is as follows: redness and swelling at the injection site, fatigue, he...
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Coronavirus (COVID 19) Update: FDA Limits Use of Certain Monoclonal Antibodies to Treat COVID-19 Due to the Omicron Variant
7Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

Coronavirus (COVID 19) Update: FDA Limits Use of Certain Monoclonal Antibodies to Treat COVID-19 Due to the Omicron Variant

As new data on COVID-19 emerges, the FDA has revised the authorizations for two monoclonal antibody treatments that are administered together: bamlanivimab and etesevimab. These may only be used when the patient is likely to have already been infected with or exposed to a variant that is susceptible to the aforementioned treatments. Monoclonal antibodies are lab made proteins. COVID-19 can mutate over time, which is why this update is necessary. These treatments do not count as a substitute for getting vaccinated. Data clearly shows that receiving the vaccine along with a booster shot is still the best way to lower the risk of contracting COVID-19 and experiencing the possible life threatening symptoms that come along with it. To learn more, click here.
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Omicron might mark the end of Covid-19’s pandemic phase—unless a certain scenario happens, Fauci says
6Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

Omicron might mark the end of Covid-19’s pandemic phase—unless a certain scenario happens, Fauci says

Experts cannot say for sure if the rapid spread of Omicron will make the pandemic more manageable. Omicron is much less likely to cause severe disease, so this makes experts hopeful that the end is near. Schools continue to battle with the surge of Omicron as they switch to virtual learning. One district in Houston Texas closed for one day in order to “mitigate potential exposure” while returning to in-person learning the very next day. The largest school district in the nation will not be returning to virtual learning. On the other hand, some other districts are under fire for their mask mandates. Before new variants emerge, scientists are hard at work developing new vaccines. To learn more, click here.
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COVID-19 vaccines: 76% of reported side effects may be due to ‘nocebo’ effect.
6Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

COVID-19 vaccines: 76% of reported side effects may be due to ‘nocebo’ effect.

A placebo, also known as a substance without medical effects, is being used to study the reliability of reported effects of COVID-19. A recent study found that 35.2% of trial participants who received a saline solution instead of an actual vaccine against COVID-19 reported at least one adverse reaction. Those that received a vaccine and reported placebo-based symptoms demonstrated a nocebo response. During the trial, it was also found that when given a second dose, reported adverse effects went up from 46% to 61%, and the adverse effects for placebo recipients decreased from 35% to 32%. The facts that we have about placebos makes this information unsurprising. To learn more, click here.
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FDA authorizes new antibody treatment to fight omicron
6Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

FDA authorizes new antibody treatment to fight omicron

Recently, the FDA has authorized a new drug called bebtelovimab, a monoclonal therapy for COVID-19 patients.  Patients as young as 12 that are high risk for sever illness can take this drug to prevent getting sicker or even end up in the hospital. Due to a shortage on drugs that have been proven effective in fighting the omicron variant, professionals have been faced with the difficult decision on who should receive the treatment. The latest authorization brings the total number of treatments for omicron to four. To learn more, click here.
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FDA postpones review of Pfizer data on vaccine for kids under 5
5Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

FDA postpones review of Pfizer data on vaccine for kids under 5

After reviewing data, Dr. Peter Marks, the FDA’S vaccine chief, tells reporters that “at this time, it makes sense for us to wait until we have the data from the evaluation of a third dose before taking action.” Pfizer applied for an emergency use authorization for its vaccine for children aged 6 months to 4 years. Scientists continue to research a three-shot regimen, which may ultimately be the most effective vaccine regimen for children of that age group. Currently, the dosage for children 5 and under is only one tenth of the current dose for adults. Pfizer supports the idea of a three dose booster due to the data shown by other age groups. The estimated time to submit data on the third dose is early April. To learn more, click here.
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COVID is here to stay: countries must decide how to adapt.
5Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

COVID is here to stay: countries must decide how to adapt.

As new variants arise, the healthcare system continues to be overwhelmed. Vaccines and boosters were not able to be implemented soon enough to avoid the surmounting cases. COVID continues to leave hospitals understaffed, forcing children to engage in remote learning, and limit travel opportunities. Countries must accept that COVID-19 is not going anywhere, and they must create an action plan to handle all that the virus comes with. With the evidence of more variants emerging, there is added urgency to distribute supplies to countries that lack them. It is clear that the virus will continue to circulate. Now, we must rely more heavily on the advice of scientists. To learn more, click here.
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COVID-19 in 2022: controlling the pandemic is within our grasp
5Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

COVID-19 in 2022: controlling the pandemic is within our grasp

All pandemics must come to an end, and this virus is no different. The virus will continue to affect our lives until we collectively address the inequitable access to vaccines and therapeutic agents. However, over the course of the pandemic, scientists have achieved a record speed of the development of a safe and effective vaccine. Even still, government agencies have not provided access of sufficient doses of vaccines to low and middle income countries. This is unethical and only prolongs the pandemic. It is going to take more than vaccines to end the pandemic partly because of new variants and how quickly they circulate. To learn more, click here.
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The important role of antivirals in the fight against COVID-19
4Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

The important role of antivirals in the fight against COVID-19

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, scientist have been working non-stop on preventative vaccines and effective treatments. At present, the most effective prevention of contracting COVID-19 is getting vaccinated. However, variants are emerging resulting in the need for additional research. Treatments that target SARS-CoV-2 fall into two categories: monoclonal antibodies and antivirals. To learn more, click here.
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The COVID-19 vaccines: What you need to know
4Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

The COVID-19 vaccines: What you need to know

Vaccines teach your immune system to recognize foreign germs and fight them of. When you choose to get vaccinated, you are protecting yourself from serious illness. The vaccines made by Moderna and Pfizer are mRNA vaccines that contain genetic material to teach cells in your body to make specific proteins. Those proteins produce antibodies that are needed to protect you. These types of vaccines have been studied for decades and science has proven them to be effective. COVID-19 vaccines do not actually give you the virus. When you begin to experience sickness after receiving the vaccine shot, your immune system is signaling you that it is working. If you would like more information about getting the COVID-19 vaccine, visit vaccines.gov or check in with your local state health website. T...
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