COVID-19 Federal Responses: Thursday, June 23, 2022

Research released indicates that new Omicron subvariants, “BA.4” and “BA.5”, are not impacted by antibodies in patients who have had previous COVID-19 cases, as well as those who have been fully vaccinated and boosted.
A pediatrics study has revealed low vaccine efficacy towards the COVID-19 Omicron variant in teens with two vaccine doses, as opposed to teens who have received their third booster.
Clinical data suggests that women have a greater likelihood of developing long-COVID while also presenting a different symptom profile when compared to men.
- The CDC updated its website and guidelines including Long-Term Effects of COVID-19; CDC Recommends COVID-19 Vaccines for Young Children; and COVID-19 Vaccines for Moderately to Severely Immunocompromised People.

White House and Federal Agencies

The FDA authorized the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for children as young as 6 months old, after a committee of vaccine experts unanimously recommended their approval. This decision expands vaccination eligibility to almost 20 million Americans.
A potential bipartisan COVID-19 funding deal of $10 billion is in jeopardy of failing as Congressional Republicans and the White House disagree on the country’s ability to continue buying additional vaccines, treatments, and supplies.
The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee hosted health officials, such as CDC Director Rochelle Walensky and Dr. Anthony Fauci, to testify on the ongoing federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The committee’s inquiry included issues regarding therapeutic availability, long COVID-19 response, the PHE, and future pandemic preparedness.

The first comprehensive study into the long-term effects of the Omicron variant has found that the variant carries significantly less chance of long-COVID than the previous Delta variant.
A pediatrics study has revealed low vaccine efficacy towards the COVID-19 Omicron variant in teens with two vaccine doses, as opposed to teens who have received their third booster.
Disadvantaged communities in America have been found to be less likely to receive new oral anti-viral COVID-19 medications than wealthier communities, showing a large disparity of care for socially and economically disadvantaged areas.
Research released indicates that new Omicron subvariants, “BA.4” and “BA.5”, are not impacted by antibodies in patients who have had previous COVID-19 cases, as well as those who have been fully vaccinated and boosted.
Clinical data suggests that women have a greater likelihood of developing long-COVID while also presenting a different symptom profile when compared to men.
The U.S. Census Bureau has collected data that shows almost one in every five American adults are presently experiencing long COVID symptoms.

The CDC published the following reports and website updates: