With updated COVID-19 boosters set to launch in the near future and COVID-related hospitalizations on the rise again, scrutiny is on the rise of emerging variants and the benefit-safety profile of COVID-19 vaccines. We performed a retrospective analysis of data from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), focusing on the period covering the launch…
‘Long vax’ phenomenon gets closer look in recent studies
In 2020, researchers witnessed the emergence of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) — more commonly referred to as “long COVID.” Now, the notion of “long vax,” persistent and varying symptoms following COVID-19 vaccination, has come into focus, as Science has noted. This phenomenon, while not as widespread as long COVID, has concerned some in the…
Regular exercise could bolster the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccination
Recent research published in BMJ found that regular physical exercise appeared to bolster the efficacy of Janssen’s (NYSE:JNJ) Ad26.COV2.S COVID-19 vaccine. While the vaccine was 60.0% effective against hospitalization in individuals with a low activity level, efficacy climbed to 85.8% for those with a high activity level. Efficacy was 72.1% for individuals in the moderate activity group.…
Moderna seeks authorization for COVID-19 vaccine in children as young as 6 months old
While a portion of the public is now eligible to receive a second booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine, the FDA has not yet authorized a vaccine for children aged 6 months to 5 years old. Moderna (Nasdaq:MRNA) is vying to be the first. The company announced today that it is filing a request for emergency…
COVID-19 vaccinations continue to decline in the U.S.
The pace of COVID-19 vaccination in the U.S. continues to fall. Today, the U.S. administered about 600,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses, which is far fewer than two months ago. At the mid-April peak, healthcare workers administered more than 3 million COVID-19 vaccine doses. The pace of vaccination fell steadily from that time to early June before…
FDA plans to warn of rare myocarditis risk following COVID-19 vaccination
FDA has acknowledged that myocarditis and pericarditis are rare possible complications for patients receiving mRNA COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech. The agency, however, estimated that the condition occurs in 12.6 out of one million recipients of the vaccine aged 12 to 39. The conditions appear to be more common in males. The FDA warning…