Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
COVID Immunity Might Wear Off, Large Study Finds
The Wall Street Journal: Study Shows Covid-19 Antibodies Waning Over Time, Suggesting Immunity Might Wear Off
A large English study showed the number of people with Covid-19 antibodies declined significantly over the summer, suggesting that getting the virus might not confer long-lasting immunity from future infection. The survey of 365,000 adults in England who tested themselves at home using a finger-prick test showed the proportion of people testing positive for Covid-19 antibodies declined by 26.5% between June 20—12 weeks after the peak of infections in the country—and Sept. 28. (Fidler, 10/26)
NPR: Eli Lilly Ends Antibody Trial In Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients, Other Trials Go On
Eli Lilly & Co. is ending a clinical trial of its antibody drug bamlanivimab in hospitalized COVID-19 patients after federal researchers concluded the therapy produced no marked improvement. The study of the monoclonal antibody called bamlanivimab was initially paused by the company on Oct. 13 out of "an abundance of caution," because of a potential safety concern. For this particular study the therapy was being used in combination with remdesivir, an antiviral with emergency use authorization for the virus. (Romo, 10/26)
The Hill: AstraZeneca Says Its Vaccine Produces Immune Response In Older Adults
AstraZeneca said Monday that its potential coronavirus vaccine provokes an immune response in older adults, which it touted as a positive development as clinical trials proceed. The immune response in older adults was similar to that in younger people, the company said, and adverse responses to the vaccine, known as reactogenicity, was lower in older people. (Sullivan, 10/26)
Bloomberg: Astra-Oxford Vaccine Stays Near Front Of Line Despite U.S. Delay
A seven-week halt to a U.S. trial of the Covid vaccine developed by AstraZeneca Plc and the University of Oxford bumped it from pole position in the race for a protective shot, but it’s still in the leading pack. High rates of infection as the pandemic regains strength and the large numbers of participants in other trials around the world should help keep the vaccine program on course, according to scientists. (Ring, 10/27)
CNBC: Pfizer's Late-Stage Trial Nears Complete Enrollment
Pfizer’s late-stage coronavirus vaccine trial has enrolled more than 42,000 volunteers, the company announced Tuesday when it released a mixed third-quarter earnings report. (Lovelace Jr., 10/27)
