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Key TakeawaysPfizer is asking for an FDA authorization of a fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose for older adults.Moderna is also seeking FDA authorization of a fourth shot, but for all adults.Data from Israel showed a fourth dose increased antibody levels to “slightly” higher than those achieved after three shots. Key Takeaways Pfizer is asking for an FDA authorization of a fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose for older adults.Moderna is also seeking FDA authorization of a fourth shot, but for all adults....

Key TakeawaysAccording to Pfizer, their COVID-19 antiviral pill called Paxlovid significantly reduces the risk of hospitalization and death.Paxlovid is a protease inhibitor drug, which is different from Merck’s antiviral pill.Pfizer’s clinical trials were stopped early because of the overwhelming efficacy of the drug. Key Takeaways According to Pfizer, their COVID-19 antiviral pill called Paxlovid significantly reduces the risk of hospitalization and death.Paxlovid is a protease inhibitor drug, which is different from Merck’s antiviral pill....

Key TakeawaysPfizer’s oral drug to treat COVID-19 is the first of its kind to receive FDA authorization.The treatment, called Paxlovid, is a protease inhibitor, a class of drug used to treat HIV and hepatitis C.The drug could potentially be used against other coronaviruses, in addition to COVID-19. Key Takeaways Pfizer’s oral drug to treat COVID-19 is the first of its kind to receive FDA authorization.The treatment, called Paxlovid, is a protease inhibitor, a class of drug used to treat HIV and hepatitis C....

Key Takeaways The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved a new, steroid-free oral medication to treat adults with moderate to severeulcerative colitis, a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). “Ulcerative colitis is a difficult disease to treat. It’s a chronic illness that has no cure, and we need multiple therapies to be able to tackle this,” saidRandy Longman, MD, PhD,an ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease expert and director of the Jill Roberts Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease at Weill Cornell Medicine....

Key Takeaways Paxlovid, a drug that can help prevent severe illness and death from COVID-19, has been cost-free for anyone, regardless of health insurance coverage, since it was first authorized in 2021. But that will change on November 1, when the drug moves from the public to the commercial market. The move is a result of the conclusion of the COVID Public Health Emergency, declared at the start of the pandemic and lifted in May, Priya Nori, MD, an infectious disease specialist at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City, told Verywell....

Key TakeawaysUnlike the vaccines, Pfizer’s COVID-19 antiviral pill targets the “protease enzyme,” which can slow down the virus spread in the body.Since most of Omicron’s mutations are in the spike protein rather than the protease, the pill should remain effective against the variant.Although the antiviral pill may offer an additional layer of defense against COVID-19, driving vaccination rate remains the best way to prevent further virus mutations. Key Takeaways Unlike the vaccines, Pfizer’s COVID-19 antiviral pill targets the “protease enzyme,” which can slow down the virus spread in the body....

Key TakeawaysNeutralizing antibody levels drop significantly in people with two doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine when infected with the Omicron variant, per a study from the company.A third dose of vaccine appeared to restore immune protection against the variant.Data from South Africa indicates prior infection coupled with vaccination also provides sufficient immunity against Omicron. Key Takeaways Neutralizing antibody levels drop significantly in people with two doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine when infected with the Omicron variant, per a study from the company....

Key TakeawaysTwo new variants of the COVID-19 vaccine have raised concerns about how effective vaccines will be.Preliminary data suggest that the Pfizer vaccine works against these variants.Moderna also expects that its vaccine will provide protection against the variants. Key Takeaways Two new variants of the COVID-19 vaccine have raised concerns about how effective vaccines will be.Preliminary data suggest that the Pfizer vaccine works against these variants.Moderna also expects that its vaccine will provide protection against the variants....

Key TakeawaysPfizer/BioNTech is applying for full FDA approval for their COVID-19 vaccines.Emergency use authorization is only granted to drugs and vaccines that are needed in a public health emergency.Full approval would grant Pfizer/BioNTech permission to market their vaccines directly to the American public. Key Takeaways Pfizer/BioNTech is applying for full FDA approval for their COVID-19 vaccines.Emergency use authorization is only granted to drugs and vaccines that are needed in a public health emergency....

Key Takeaways Polls conducted since April show that 59% to 70% of people in Japan want the Olympics to be canceled or postponed again.The decision of the organizers and the Japanese government to move ahead with the rescheduled games has been heavily criticized. Experts Say Developing Countries Need U.S. Vaccine Supply Now Despite overwhelming concerns about the safety of the Olympics, the organizers have repeatedly affirmed that there are no plans of canceling it again this year....

Key TakeawaysThe Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is now authorized for use in adolescents ages 12 through 15.This age group will receive the same vaccine dose as those 16 and older, who were already authorized to receive Pfizer’s vaccine. Both Moderna and Johnson & Johnson’s vaccines are authorized for ages 18 and older.In clinical trials, adolescents reported similar side effects to adults. Key Takeaways The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is now authorized for use in adolescents ages 12 through 15....

Key TakeawaysPfizer announced that its COVID-19 vaccine is extremely effective at preventing both symptomatic and asymptomatic cases of the disease.Research has shown that the vaccine is 94% effective at asymptomatic cases of COVID-19.Doctors say that it’s likely the other COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use in the U.S. will have similar results. Key Takeaways Pfizer announced that its COVID-19 vaccine is extremely effective at preventing both symptomatic and asymptomatic cases of the disease....

Key TakeawaysA CDC vaccine database signaled a safety concern for ischemic stroke in people ages 65 and older who received Pfizer’s COVID-19 bivalent booster.So far, the totality of vaccine data suggests that the signal doesn’t represent an actual clinical risk.No other database has indicated an increased risk of strokes.Last week, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) vaccine monitoring database signaled a possible increased risk ofischemic strokesfrom Pfizer’s bivalent COVID-19 booster in adults 65 and older....