Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
How Lightning-Fast COVID Vaccine Has Spawned Contests, Doubts And Scams
The Washington Post: Moderna, Pfizer Vaccines Head To FDA Review, Setting Speed Records
No vaccine can arrive soon enough to blunt an anticipated blitz of coronavirus cases seeded by Thanksgiving travels and gatherings — a surge expected to materialize in the coming days and weeks. But less than a year after a novel virus began hopscotching around the world, U.S. government officials project an unprecedented scientific accomplishment: Approximately 40 million doses of two remarkably effective vaccines could be available by year’s end, enough for 20 million people to receive full protection. Manufacturing will continue to ramp up through early next year, and other vaccines are expected to follow to steadily increase the supply available each month. (Johnson, 11/30)
NPR: A COVID-19 Vaccine Has Come Quick, But Expert Says That's No Reason To Fear It
Two COVID-19 vaccines are moving toward an emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration, and both have been found to be more than 94% effective. Yet despite progress on the vaccine front, misinformation continues to spread, fueling doubts among skeptics who may decide not to take the vaccine at all. Heidi Larson, the director of the Vaccine Confidence Project and author of the book Stuck: How Vaccine Rumors Start and Why They Don't Go Away, has seen this before. As an anthropologist who has spent years traveling the globe studying vaccine misinformation, she says "any news about vaccines always raises questions." (Silva, 11/30)
NPR: Some Health Care Workers Are Wary Of Getting COVID-19 Vaccines
Health care workers are expected to be first in line to be offered a COVID-19 vaccine when one is available. It makes sense: Getting a safe, effective vaccine would help keep them and their patients healthy. Seeing doctors, nurses and medical aides getting COVID-19 vaccines would also set an example for the community. But the speed of COVID-19 vaccine development, along with concerns about political interference with the process, has left some health care workers on the fence about COVID-19 vaccines. (Huang, 12/1)
And Europe might win the race to market —
The Washington Post: Britain Races To Become The First Western Country To Approve A Coronavirus Vaccine
Britain could become the first Western country to approve a coronavirus vaccine, with the highest hopes resting on Pfizer's candidate and the homegrown offering from Oxford University and AstraZeneca. Those hopes persist, accompanied by much flag waving, despite questions about the Oxford vaccine’s trials and effectiveness. (Bpoth and Adam, 11/30)
Bloomberg: Pfizer, BioNTech Seek Clearance to Sell Covid Vaccine in Europe
Pfizer Inc. and partner BioNTech SE sought regulatory clearance for their Covid-19 vaccine in Europe, putting the shot on track for a potential approval there before the end of the year. The formal application submitted on Monday caps a rolling review process that started on Oct. 6 and allowed Europe’s drugs regulator to examine data on the vaccine as it emerged. In November, a study of almost 44,000 people showed the shot prevented 95% of symptomatic coronavirus cases. There were no significant safety problems. (Kresge, 12/1)
In related news —
AP: Beware Of COVID-19 Scams As Vaccine Approaches FDA Approval
The coronavirus vaccine inching toward approval in the U.S. is desperately anticipated by weary Americans longing for a path back to normal life. But criminals are waiting, too, ready to use that desperation to their advantage, federal investigators say. Homeland Security investigators are working with Pfizer, Moderna and dozens of other drug companies racing to complete and distribute the vaccine and treatments for the virus. The goal: to prepare for the scams that are coming, especially after the mess of criminal activity this year with phony personal protective equipment, false cures and extortion schemes. (Long, 11/3)
