- COVID-19 cases have nearly tripled in the past two weeks. Misinformation is a strong factor in lagging vaccination rates.
- The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is launching a $40 million study to examine ‘long COVID’ and multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children.
- New research shows the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is not as effective against the Delta variant as originally thought. A second “booster” dose may be needed.
- Pfizer says that vaccinated people are likely to need a booster shot to be effectively protected against new variants of COVID-19.
- The CDC has updated its website and guidelines including Changes in Influenza and Other Respiratory Virus Activity During the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, 2020–2021; Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People.
White House and Federal Agencies
- The Department of Commerce announced a new $3 billion program to provide grants to communities to assist with their economic recoveries from the pandemic.
- President Biden touted the U.S.’s success in combating COVID-19 on Tuesday, but acknowledged the long road the country must continue down to be rid of the virus.
- The President said it is “gigantically important” to get vaccinated after expressing frustration at the lagging vaccination rates in the U.S.
- The President said Wednesday he expects children under the age of twelve to be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine soon.
- The President continued, that regardless of vaccination status the CDC will probably recommend kids under twelve wear masks in the classroom.
Economy, Vaccines, Testing and Treatment
- The Delta variant is now responsible for 83% of sequenced COVID-19 cases in the U.S.
- COVID-19 cases have nearly tripled in the past two weeks with misinformation on social media to blame for lagging vaccination rates.
- Anti-vaccination groups on Facebook are changing their names to euphemisms such as “Dance Party” or “Dinner Party” to skirt bans from the organization.
- States are sitting on millions of surplus COVID-19 vaccine doses as the expiration date for these vaccines approaches.
- The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is launching a $40 million study to examine ‘long COVID’ and multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children.
- A recent study found that two doses of the Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccinations are effective against the Delta variant.
- New research shows the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is not as effective against the Delta variant as originally thought. A second “booster” dose may be needed.
- New research found that 9.4% of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 sought treatment for long-term COVID-19 symptoms.
- Pfizer says that vaccinated people are likely to need a booster shot to be effectively protected against new variants of COVID-19.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Updates
- The CDC advisory group is meeting again today to discuss a rarely occurring side effect of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning last week that the vaccine may trigger a rare neurological condition known as Guillain-Barré syndrome, after 100 cases were reported.
- The CDC published the following reports and websites updates:
- Overall US COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution and Administration Update as of Wed, 21 Jul 2021 06:00:00 EST
- Cases in the U.S.
- Changes in Influenza and Other Respiratory Virus Activity During the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, 2020–2021
- Considerations for the Case Investigation and Contact Tracing Workforce: Enhancing Access to COVID-19 Vaccination Services
- Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People
- Selected Adverse Events Reported after COVID-19 Vaccination
- COVID-19 Vaccine Equity for Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups
- Health Equity in Action
