COVID-19 Federal Responses: Monday, February 14, 2022

A study found that the effectiveness of booster shots wanes over time. Effectiveness against hospitalization fell from 91% two months post-booster to 78% at four months.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) continues to develop permanent COVID-19 safety standards.
Pfizer postponed its request to receive emergency use authorization for the first two shots—of an expected three-dose series—for its COVID-19 vaccine for children under five. The FDA delayed its meeting of advisers planned for February 15 to wait for more information on the three-dose trial.
The FDA granted emergency use authorization to Eli Lilly’s monoclonal antibody treatment, bebtelovimab, for patients 12 and older who are at high risk of developing a severe case of COVID-19. The Federal government already purchased enough courses to treat 600,000 patients, and will begin shipping them to states now that it has received authorization.

White House and Federal Agencies

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published new guidance for health plans about how they should cover over-the-counter at-home COVID-19 tests.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) continues to develop permanent COVID-19 safety standards.
Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy participated in a Q&A on COVID-19.

Pfizer postponed its request to receive emergency use authorization for the first two shots—of an expected three-dose series—for its COVID-19 vaccine for children under five.
- The company had asked the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve a two-dose series of shots while gathering data on the effect of a third dose after two doses failed to produce an effective immune response.
- The FDA delayed its meeting of advisers planned for February 15 to wait for more information on the trial of three doses.
The FDA granted emergency use authorization to Eli Lilly’s monoclonal antibody treatment bebtelovimab for patients 12 and older who are at high risk of developing a severe case of COVID-19.
- The Federal government already purchased enough courses to treat 600,000 patients, and will begin shipping them to states now that it has received authorization.
A study found that the effectiveness of booster shots wanes over time. Effectiveness against hospitalization fell from 91% two months post-booster to 78% at four months.
The American Medical Association (AMA) published guidelines for minimizing the risk of transmitting SARS-CoV-2 during mouth to mouth resuscitation, such as using bag valve masks and certain protective equipment.