Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Bell’s Palsy, Chills, Joint Pain Among Side Effects Reported In Vaccine Trials
USA Today: COVID-19 Vaccine Trials Report Cases Of Brief Facial Paralysis. That's Not As Scary As It Sounds
Americans are increasingly concerned about vaccine safety after four people in Pfizer-BioNTech trials and three people in the Moderna trials developed Bell’s palsy, a condition that causes temporary weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles. While it may sound scary, experts say Bell’s palsy is more common and less severe than people think. Bell’s palsy, also known as peripheral facial nerve palsy, can occur at any age, according to the Mayo Clinic. The exact causes are unknown, but it’s believed to be the result of swelling and inflammation of the nerve that controls the muscles on one side of the face, or a reaction after a viral infection. (Rodriguez, 12/15)
The Wall Street Journal: Covid-19 Vaccine Trial Volunteers Note Occasional Harsh Side Effects
Jocelyn Edwards wasn’t sure she got Moderna Inc.’s experimental Covid-19 vaccine or a placebo when she received her first of two doses in August. Hours after the second shot, she said she was sure it was the genuine article. “I woke up around midnight freezing,” said the 68-year-old retired nurse. “For the next 24 hours I had intense chills, serious neck pain, headache, all my joints were aching.” She had a fever that peaked at 102.4 and poured out so much sweat that she lost 3 pounds, she said. The following day she woke up and felt fine. (Winkler, 12/16)
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The Washington Post: British Officials Identify Coronavirus Mutations, But Significance Remains Unclear
As vaccines are rolling out, the coronavirus is on the move as well, not merely spreading but also mutating, and possibly becoming more transmissible. There is no evidence that these changes are making the virus deadlier, but new research has provided evidence that the virus is not a static target of vaccines and will need to be watched closely to see how it responds to therapeutic interventions and the human immune system. The issue of mutations sparked headlines across the United Kingdom after a top government official, Health Secretary Matt Hancock, stood in the House of Commons on Monday and announced that more than 1,000 confirmed coronavirus infections in southeast England show a suite of genetic mutations that might be driving the surge in that region. (Booth and Achenbach, 12/15)
Fox News: Azar Warns Key COVID-19 Treatments 'Not Getting Used Enough' Amid Spike In Cases, Hospitalizations
A variant of coronavirus that has been reported in the United Kingdom is not expected to impact the efficacy of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar told "The Story" Tuesday. "We have seen many different what one might call 'strains' of COVID-19," Azar told host Martha MacCallum. "But here's what is really important for viewers to know as we now have these vaccines coming, these vaccines don’t appear to be impacted by some of these modifications." British officials confirmed Monday that a “new variant” of COVID-19 had been discovered after infecting close to 1,000 people in the south of England. (Halon, 12/15)
