Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Pfizer Study Suggests Its Vaccine Works Against Variant
Reuters: Pfizer/BioNTech Vaccine Appears Effective Against Mutation In New Coronavirus Variants -Study
Pfizer Inc and BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine appeared to work against a key mutation in the highly transmissible new variants of the coronavirus discovered in the UK and South Africa, according to a laboratory study conducted by the U.S. drugmaker. The not-yet peer reviewed study by Pfizer and scientists from the University of Texas Medical Branch indicated the vaccine was effective in neutralizing virus with the so-called N501Y mutation of the spike protein. (Erman, 1/7)
AP: Pfizer Study Suggests Vaccine Works Against Virus Variant
Most of the vaccines being rolled out around the world train the body to recognize that spike protein and fight it. Pfizer teamed with researchers from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston for laboratory tests to see if the mutation affected its vaccine’s ability to do so. They used blood samples from 20 people who received the vaccine, made by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech, during a large study of the shots. Antibodies from those vaccine recipients successfully fended off the virus in lab dishes, according to the study posted late Thursday on an online site for researchers. (Neergaard, 1/8)
In related news about the covid mutations —
Axios: Fauci Says COVID Variants Threaten Some Treatments More Than Vaccines
The COVID-19 variants first detected in the U.K. and South Africa and now circulating globally aren't a current threat to the effectiveness of the first vaccines, but mutations will be closely monitored because "they could be an issue," NIAID director Anthony Fauci tells Axios. (Drage O'Reilly, 1/7)
Houston Chronicle: More Contagious COVID-19 Strain Identified In Harris County, The First In Texas
The new strain of the COVID-19 virus considered more contagious has been identified in the Houston area, Harris County Public Health confirmed Thursday, a threat to hopes that recovery from the pandemic is within sight. The strain, initially discovered in the United Kingdom, was found in a southwest Harris County man between 30 and 40 years old, the county reported in a news release. The case marks the first time the strain has been identified in Texas. (Ackerman, 1/7)
