- NIAID Director Dr. Anthony Fauci is optimistic the COVID-19 situation could be downgraded from pandemic to endemic before he retires at the end of the year.
- Pfizer requested emergency use authorization (EUA) for a new version of its COVID-19 vaccine that is tailored to the Omicron variant. However, unlike previous approval requests, Pfizer has not yet finished – or even started – clinical trials for this vaccine. The trials are set to begin soon. The FDA could wait until it has data from concluded trials before issuing a decision on the EUA.
- Moderna expects to request approval for its version of an Omicron-specific booster soon. Moderna has some clinical data but has not concluded all of its trials yet.
- New research shows that the incubation period for COVID-19 infection has decreased with new variants.
- New tests are being developed that would allow people to measure their protection against COVID-19 (antibody level) with an at-home test.
White House and Federal Agencies
- NIAID Director Dr. Anthony Fauci announced he plans to retire from the federal government in December. Dr. Fauci has led the NIAID since 1984 and has been one of the federal government’s most high-profile public health messengers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Economy, Vaccine, Testing, and Treatment
- The FDA is hoping to authorize new Omicron-specific boosters in the coming weeks.
- Pfizer requested emergency use authorization (EUA) for a new version of its COVID-19 vaccine that is tailored to the Omicron variant. However, unlike previous approval requests, Pfizer has not yet finished – or even started – clinical trials for this vaccine. The trials are set to begin soon. The FDA could wait until it has data from concluded trials before issuing a decision on the EUA.
- Moderna expects to request approval for its version of an Omicron-specific booster soon. Moderna has some clinical data but has not concluded all of its trials yet.
- Pfizer reported new data that shows its vaccine was 73% effective in children under five years old.
- New research shows that Pfizer’s antiviral treatment Paxlovid did not show significant benefit for adults under 65. Paxlovid is still highly effective at preventing hospitalizations for adults older than 65.
- NIAID Director Dr. Anthony Fauci is optimistic the COVID-19 situation could be downgraded from pandemic to endemic before he retires at the end of the year.
- New research shows that the incubation period for COVID-19 infection has decreased with new variants.
- New tests are being developed that would allow people to measure their protection against COVID-19 (antibody level) with an at-home test.
- New research shows that long-COVID is rare in children and teens.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) says COVID-19 cases are declining across the world.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Updates
The CDC published the following reports and website updates:
- Overall U.S. COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution and Administration Update as of Wed, 24 Aug 2022 06:00:00 EST
- Cases in the U.S.
- Laboratory-Confirmed COVID-19–Associated Hospitalizations Among Adults During SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2 Variant Predominance — COVID-19–Associated Hospitalization Surveillance Network, 14 States, June 20, 2021–May 31, 2022
- Overview of Testing for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)
- Overview of COVID-19 Vaccines
- What to Do If You Were Exposed to COVID-19
- COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Teens
- International Travel
- Domestic Travel During COVID-19
- CDC Recommends Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine for Adolescents
- What You Should Know About COVID-19 Testing in Schools
