Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Third Pfizer Shot Leads To Persistent Antibodies To Fight Omicron
The Washington Post: Lab Study Shows Omicron-Blocking Antibodies Persist Four Months After A Pfizer-BioNTech Booster
Virus-fighting antibodies capable of blocking the omicron variant persist four months after a third shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine, according to a new study. The study, which was published on a preprint server Saturday, gives a first hint about the durability of coronavirus vaccine protection, with a key line of immune defense remaining intact. The study has not yet been peer-reviewed and will need to be replicated and extended to a longer period. (Johnson, 1/24)
The Hill: Study Finds High Levels Of Omicron-Fighting Antibodies Four Months After Pfizer Booster
A new study shows high levels of coronavirus antibodies that fight the omicron variant four months after a third dose of the Pfizer vaccine, a positive sign for the durability of a booster shot’s effectiveness. The study from researchers at Pfizer, BioNTech and the University of Texas Medical Branch shows virus-fighting antibodies enduring four months after the third dose, helping answer the key question of how long protection from the booster shot lasts. (Sullivan, 1/24)
And Pfizer starts its clinical trial for an omicron-specific vaccine —
CNN: Pfizer And BioNTech Begin Clinical Trial For Omicron-Specific Vaccine
Pfizer and BioNTech have begun a clinical trial for their Omicron-specific Covid-19 vaccine candidate, they announced in a news release on Tuesday. The study will evaluate the vaccine for safety, tolerability and the level of immune response, as both a primary series and a booster dose, in up to 1,420 healthy adults ages 18 to 55. (Sealy, 1/25)
In more news about vaccines —
KHN: Pharmacies Are Turning Away Immunocompromised Patients Seeking 4th Covid Shot
Patients with weakened immune systems — who are at high risk from covid-19 — say pharmacies are turning them away when they seek additional vaccine doses recommended by federal health officials. Alyson Smith became eligible this month for a fourth vaccine dose because her medications leave her immunocompromised. Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages most adults to receive a total of three mRNA vaccines — two “primary” vaccinations and a booster — the agency now advises people with weak immune systems to receive three primary shots plus a booster, for a total of four doses. (Szabo, 1/25)
Oklahoman: Fourth Dose Of COVID-19 Vaccine Available For Immunocompromised Oklahomans
Some immunocompromised Oklahomans may be eligible now for a COVID-19 booster dose, depending on when they had their last shot. In August, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that some immunocompromised people get a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 28 days after their second shot of either the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine. For people in that group, a third dose is considered part of the primary vaccine series, said Dr. Gitanjali Pai, the chief medical officer with the Oklahoma Department of Health. (Branham, 1/25)
In other news about covid treatments —
Stat: It’s Too Early To Say CBD Helps Against Covid. Will That Stop CBD Makers?
The scientists stressed the caveats that early-stage research demands: the compounds they had studied showed hints — in cells in lab dishes and in animals — of being able to combat the coronavirus. Definite answers could only come from clinical trials. But the compounds were CBD and other marijuana and hemp derivatives, so the news took off. Kimmel and Colbert cracked jokes. The studies received coverage in outlets from Fox News to The Daily Beast. The latest hubbub is an example of both the promise of cannabinoids — components of cannabis — as potential therapies, but also the hype around them, which can far outpace the evidence that they work. (Florko and Joseph, 1/25)
