- The Mayo Clinicreportedthat monoclonal antibodies reduced the risk of COVID-19 hospitalization by 77%.
- The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) isofferingindividual clinicians an exemption from Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) reporting for 2021 due to hardships caused by the pandemic.
- PfizerrequestedEmergency Use Authorization (EUA) of its oral antiviral COVID-19 pill to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
- Pfizer alsosigneda licensing agreement with the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) to expand access to the pill in lower-income countries.
- AstraZenecareportedthat their antibody treatment reduces risk of symptomatic COVID-19 by 83% and prevents severe disease or death after six months.
White House and Federal Agencies
- The Biden administrationannounced它将购买1000万剂量的辉瑞tiviral COVID-19 pill.
- The White House COVID-19 Response Teamannouncedtheir support for all adults to get COVID-19 booster shots, even though the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have yet to issue such a broad endorsement.
- The legal challenge to the Biden Administration’s employer vaccine mandate will soon beheardby the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. OSHA is not enforcing this mandate while the legal challenge plays out.
- The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) isofferingindividual clinicians an exemption from Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) reporting for 2021 due to hardships caused by the pandemic.
Economy, Vaccines, Testing and Treatment
- PfizerrequestedEmergency Use Authorization (EUA) of its oral antiviral COVID-19 pill to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
- Pfizer alsosigneda licensing agreement with the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) to expand access to the pill in lower-income countries.
- Modernafiledfor an FDA EUA to allow its COVID-19 booster vaccine for all adults. It is currently approved based on age and health status.
- The Biden administrationannouncedthat 2.6 million (10%) of eligible 5- to 11- year-old children have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
- Modernaofferedco-ownership of its COVID-19 vaccine patent to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
- The CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)meetsFriday, 11/19 (12:00 – 3:00 pm ET) to discuss expanding eligibility for Pfizer’s COVID-19 booster dose beyond those 65 and older and those with certain medical conditions.
- A newanalysisof 68 studies, covering 4.3 million patients, highlights racial health disparities for COVID-19 outcomes.
- Ananalysisof CDC data found that nearly a third of health workers are unvaccinated.
- The World Health Organization (WHO)reportedthat the Delta variant accounts for 99% of COVID-19 cases worldwide.
- Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Dr. Anthony Faucireportedthat hospitalization rates are increasing among vaccinated individuals.
- The FDAreissuedseveral COVID-19 policies, including multiple EUAs for COVID-19 tests.
- A new studyshowsface masks reduce COVID-19 incidence by 53%.
- NIHbegana long-term study of children that were diagnosed with COVID-19 infections.
- A studyfindsthat hospitalized COVID-19 patients taking medications that suppress the immune system are not at higher risk for death or ventilation.
- AstraZenecareportedthat its antibody treatment reduces risk of symptomatic COVID-19 by 83% and prevents severe disease or death after six months.
- The Mayo Clinicreportedthat monoclonal antibodies reduced the risk of COVID-19 hospitalization by 77%.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Updates
- Cases in the U.S.
- Overall U.S. COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution and Administration Update as of Wed, 17 Nov 2021 06:00:00 EST
- COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shot
- COVID-19 and Animals
- COVID-19 Vaccines for People with Disabilities
- Requirement for Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination for Air Passengers
- COVID-19 Vaccines for Teachers, School Staff, and Childcare Workers
- Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers
- Selected Adverse Events Reported after COVID-19 Vaccination
