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COVID-19 Federal Responses: Monday, October 4, 2021

COVID-19 Federal Responses: Monday, October 4, 2021
  • The European Medicines Agency (EMA), the European Union’s drug regulator, recently discovered a possible link between the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and rare blood clotting (venous thromboembolism). J&J will seek FDA authorization of their COVID-19 booster vaccine.
  • An updated Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) poll shows more than a third of parents plan to vaccinate their children aged 5-11.
  • A recent study reinforced that unvaccinated individuals infected with COVID-19 are more likely to catch the virus again.
  • Pharmaceutical company Merck & Co announced they will seek FDA Emergency Use Authorization for their COVID-19 antiviral pill “as soon as possible.”
  • BioNTech Chief Executive Ugur Sahin stated that a new COVID-19 vaccine may be necessary mid-2022 as the virus will continue mutating to escape vaccines and immune systems.

White House and Federal Agencies

  • The White House COVID-19 Response Team held a Press Briefing on Friday, Oct. 1. Information was presented regarding vaccination rates, booster shots, vaccines for children, and plans to increase vaccination rates among Americans.
  • The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) announced new meetings in October to discuss booster vaccines, mix-and-match vaccines, and vaccines for children.

Economy, Vaccines, Testing and Treatment

  • Johnson & Johnson will seek FDA authorization of their COVID-19 booster vaccine this week.
  • The Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) released guidance reminding the public that the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy rule does not apply to disclosures and requests for information about whether a person has received a COVID-19 vaccine.
  • Pharmaceutical company Merck & Co announced it will seek FDA Emergency Use Authorization for its COVID-19 antiviral pill “as soon as possible.”
    • Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Dr. Anthony Fauci stated his support for the drug.
  • A recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study revealed that people with disabilities are less likely to be vaccinated.
  • CDC guidance indicated that COVID-19 vaccines can be co-administered with other vaccines, including influenza vaccines.
  • Dr. Fauci expressed his concern for individuals using religious exemptions to avoid the COVID-19 vaccine. He stated that “less than a handful” of religions actually oppose vaccinations.
  • BioNTech Chief Executive Ugur Sahin stated that a new COVID-19 vaccine may be necessary mid-2022 as the virus will continue mutating to circumvent vaccines and immune system defenses.
  • The European Medicines Agency (EMA), the European Union’s drug regulator, recently discovered a possible link between the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and rare blood clotting (venous thromboembolism).
  • An updated Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) poll shows more than a third of parents plan to vaccinate their children aged 5-11.
  • Dr. Fauci reported that immigrants are not driving COVID-19 infection rates.
  • A recent study reinforced that unvaccinated individuals infected with COVID-19 are more likely to catch the virus again.
  • Dr. Fauci announced it is too soon to determine the recommendations for family gatherings this holiday season.

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