COVID-19 Federal Responses: Monday, September 20, 2021

A new study shows surgical masks are more effective than cloth masks in preventing infections from the Delta variant.
A new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study shows how the three FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines remain effective at preventing hospitalization over time. The study found that Moderna’s vaccine offered the highest protection (93%) followed by Pfizer-BioNTech (88%) and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine (71%).
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee voted unanimously (18-0) to approve a third “booster” dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for at risk individuals only, including health care workers and people over 65. The head of NIH, Dr. Anthony Collins, anticipates the FDA to extend a third dose recommendation to more individuals soon as the FDA receives more data.
The CDC updated its website and guidelines including explanations of the difference between Quarantine and Isolation.

Congress

The House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis will meet on Wednesday, 9/22 at 2:00 pm ET for a hearing regarding pandemic relief programs.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee voted unanimously (18-0) to approve a third “booster” dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for at risk individuals only, including health care workers and people over 65. The advisory committee voted (16-2) against a recommendation for booster doses for the general population.
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Director Dr. Anthony Fauci and National Institutes of Health (NIH) head Dr. Francis Collins expressed support for the advisory panel’s recommendation.
- However, Dr. Collins anticipates the FDA will extend a third dose recommendation to more individuals once it receives more data.
Pfizer says it has completed a successful vaccine trial for children aged 5 to 11. The company is now filing for FDA authorization.
A new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study shows how the three FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines remain effective at preventing hospitalization over time.
- The study found that Moderna’s vaccine offered the highest protection (93%) followed by Pfizer-BioNTech (88%) and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine (71%).
A new study shows surgical masks are more effective than cloth masks in preventing infections from the Delta variant.
This article describes what a “mild” breakthrough case is like.