About the public’s health
Pfizer Slashed Its Original Covid-19 Vaccine Rollout Target After Supply-Chain Obstacles: “Pfizer and Germany-based partner BioNTech SE had hoped to roll out 100 million vaccines world-wide by the end of this year, a plan that has now been reduced to 50 million.” The proof of efficacy came a bit later than anticipated, but most of the problem is sourcing adequate supplies for manufacturing the vaccine.
Moderna's 3-month data raise hopes for COVID-19 vaccine durability: ” Antibody levels stayed elevated in the 90 days after people received the second dose of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine, raising hopes that the prophylactic can provide protection for one year.”
Moderna Plans to Begin Testing Its Coronavirus Vaccine in Children: “The drugmaker Moderna said on Wednesday that it would soon begin testing its coronavirus vaccine in children ages 12 through 17. The study, listed Wednesday on the website clinicaltrials.gov, is to include 3,000 children, with half receiving two shots of vaccine four weeks apart, and half getting placebo shots of salt water.” In a related article: US Passes 1.3 Million COVID-19 Cases in Children.
Biden taps Murthy as nation’s top doctor, offers Fauci key role as covid team takes shape: “Vivek H. Murthy, a former U.S. surgeon general, has been asked to reprise the role in an expanded version in the new administration, according to an individual familiar with the decision.”
Coronavirus live updates: CDC advises people to wear masks indoors at all times, except at home: “The Centers for Disease Control is recommending “universal mask use” outside people’s homes as part of guidance published Friday aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus as the nation braces for what is expected to be the darkest period of the pandemic.
This is the first time the agency has advocated for universal mask use indoors.”
Facebook says it will remove coronavirus vaccine misinformation: “…Facebook said it planned to take down Covid-19 vaccine falsehoods entirely if the claims had been discredited or contradicted by health groups including the World Health Organization, the United States Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”
Obama, Bush, Clinton Say They're Willing To Get Coronavirus Vaccine On Camera: The headline speaks for itself. The question is: Does their endorsements resonate with enough population sectors to make a difference in immunization rates?
HHS Amends PREP Act Declaration, Including to Expand Access to COVID-19 Countermeasures Via Telehealth: A significant provision of this amendment is:
”If a person is authorized under the Declaration to order or administer Covered Countermeasures by means of telehealth, any state law that prohibits or effectively prohibits such a person from doing so is preempted. Nothing in the amendment, however, preempts state laws that may allow for easier access to telehealth services.” While this provision will facilitate diagnosis and treatment across state lines, its constitutionality may be challenged on the basis of states’ rights.
About health insurance
13 insurers extending COVID-19 cost-sharing waivers into 2021: The headline speaks for itself.