Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Longer-Term Data Finds Pfizer Vaccine 100% Effective In Adolescents
Stat: Pfizer's Covid Vaccine Was 100% Effective In Kids In Longer-Term Study
Pfizer and BioNTech announced Monday that their Covid-19 vaccine was 100% efficacious in preventing infections in 12- to 15-year-olds, measured from seven days to four months after administration of the second dose of the vaccine. The companies said the new data — a longer-term analysis of a Phase 3 trial conducted in 2,228 participants — will form the basis of an application to the Food and Drug Administration for an extension of their Covid-19 vaccine license to cover youths in the age group. (Branswell, 11/22)
Reuters: Pfizer's COVID-19 Vaccine Trial Data Shows Long-Term Efficacy In Adolescents
Pfizer Inc said on Monday its COVID-19 vaccine provided strong long-term protection against the virus in a late-stage study conducted among adolescents aged 12 to 15 years. A two-dose series of the vaccine was 100% effective against COVID-19, measured seven days through over four months after the second dose, the company said. The long-term data will support planned submissions for full-regulatory approval of the vaccine in the age group in the United States and worldwide. Pfizer and BioNTech (22UAy.DE) will seek clearance for a 30 micrograms dose of the vaccine for those aged 12 and above. (Roy, 11/22)
Cases among kids are rising —
The New York Times: Pediatricians Say Covid Cases In Children Are On The Rise
Coronavirus cases in children in the United States have risen by 32 percent from about two weeks ago, a spike that comes as the country rushes to inoculate children ahead of the winter holiday season, pediatricians said. More than 140,000 children tested positive for the coronavirus between Nov. 11 and Nov. 18, up from 107,000 in the week ending Nov. 4, according to a statement on Monday from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children’s Hospital Association.These cases accounted for about a quarter of the country’s caseload for the week, the statement said. Children under 18 make up about 22 percent of the U.S. population. (Lukpat, 11/23)
In news on the vaccine rollout for children —
Los Angeles Times: Many LAUSD Students Do Not Meet First COVID Vaccine Deadline
Close to 80% of students in the Los Angeles Unified School District are on track to comply with a COVID-19 vaccine mandate, school district officials announced Monday, raising concerns about the potential for thousands to be displaced from in-person classes for the start of the spring semester on Jan. 10. The figure represents substantial progress — and officials hope many more students have been vaccinated, but simply have not yet uploaded documentation to the school district. About 225,000 students ages 12 and older fall under the mandate, half of the district’s enrollment. Based on the percentage, about 44,000 students have not met the deadline — either by getting at least one shot, obtaining a medical exemption or receiving a rare extension. (Blume, 11/22)
ABC News: Push To Vaccinate Children Accelerates As Pediatric COVID-19 Cases Rise
The rush to vaccinate children against COVID-19 is accelerating amid a steady increase in coronavirus infections and hospitalizations nationwide. Last week, nearly 142,000 child coronavirus cases were recorded, with weekly infections among children up by more than 40% since late October, according to a new report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Children’s Hospital Association (CHA). (Mitropoulos, 11/22)
AP: How Covid Shots For Kids Help Prevent Dangerous New Variants
Cadell Walker rushed to get her 9-year-old daughter Solome vaccinated against Covid-19 — not just to protect her but to help stop the coronavirus from spreading and spawning even more dangerous variants. “Love thy neighbor is something that we really do believe, and we want to be good community members and want to model that thinking for our daughter,” said the 40-year-old Louisville mom, who recently took Solome to a local middle school for her shot. “The only way to really beat Covid is for all of us collectively to work together for the greater good.” (11/22)
