Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Over Time, J&J Vaccine Proving As Effective As Other Shots
The New York Times: Mounting Data Shows J&J Vaccine As Effective As Pfizer And Moderna
Roughly 17 million Americans received the Johnson & Johnson Covid vaccine, only to be told later that it was the least protective of the options available in the United States. But new data suggest that the vaccine is now preventing infections, hospitalizations and deaths at least as well as the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines. The reasons aren’t clear, and not all experts are convinced that the vaccine has vindicated itself. But the accumulating data nonetheless offer considerable reassurance to recipients of the vaccine and, if confirmed, have broad implications for its deployment in parts of the world. (Mandavilli, 3/15)
In other vaccine news —
CNN: Vaccine Effectiveness For 5- To 11-Year-Olds: Should Parents Worry?
To many parents' dismay, a new report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that the Covid-19 vaccine is less effective against the Omicron variant for children ages 5 to 11 than for older children and adults... Why is this happening? How worried should parents and caregivers be? Do the new data mean they should keep masks on their kids in school and avoid indoor extracurriculars? What are implications for kids with underlying medical conditions? And what's the update for kids under 5? (Hetter, 3/16)
CIDRAP: Study Highlights Risk Of Low COVID Vaccine Uptake In Prison Staff
Stanford University researchers report that 61% of custody staff and 36% of healthcare staff at California state prisons were unvaccinated against COVID-19 as of Jun 30, 2021, posing risks to inmates, other staff, and the surrounding community. The findings, published late last week in JAMA Health Forum, also showed that unvaccinated staff were more likely than their vaccinated counterparts to be younger, have previous COVID-19 infection, work with other unvaccinated staff, and live in communities with relatively low vaccine uptake. (Van Beusekom, 3/15)
And in updates on vaccine mandates —
The New York Times: Unvaccinated Yankees And Mets Can’t Play In New York
Some players on the Mets and Yankees may be unable to play in New York when the 2022 Major League Baseball season begins next month because of a city vaccination mandate. Under a New York City regulation enacted on Dec. 27, people who perform in-person work or interact with the public in the course of business must show proof that “they have received a COVID-19 vaccine.” (Wagner, 3/16)
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Vaccine Mandate For Georgia Medical Workers Now In Full Effect
Tuesday marked the final deadline for Georgia healthcare workers to get their second COVID-19 vaccine dose or a valid exemption to keep their jobs. Several hospitals reported their employee vaccination levels were as high as 99%. (Hansen, 3/16)
TribLIVE (Pa.): With Driver Shortages Because Of Vaccine Mandate, Port Authority Offers Free Rides
Port Authority of Allegheny County announced Tuesday it will provide free rides on all vehicles through the end of the day Sunday to acknowledge the challenges riders are facing with staffing shortages related to the agency’s vaccine requirement. Approximately 180 operators and 480 total employees in violation of the agency’s vaccine requirement will be held off work beginning Wednesday, the authority said in a news release. Although a portion of these employees are expected to return to work within the next two weeks, service disruptions are expected to continue. (3/15)
