- This article discusses how the federal government will decide if booster shots are needed.
- News reports indicate that Moderna is planning to introduce a single-dose version of its COVID-19 vaccine in 2022.
- A new survey shows continued vaccine hesitancy among rural healthcare workers.
- The CDC has detected breakthrough COVID-19 cases in only 0.01 percent of fully vaccinated adults (about 10,000 people). Only 2% of people with breakthrough cases (160 people) died. Many of those deaths were due to causes unrelated to COVID-19. This data indicates that the COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective against symptomatic disease, hospitalization and death. The CDC updated guidelines including: Training for Healthcare Professionals; COVID-19 Graphics and Buttons; and Frequently Asked Questions.
White House and Federal Agencies
- The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced an additional $4.8 billion to reimburse clinicians for uncompensated COVID-19 testing. This funding from the American Recue plan supplements existing funding for uncompensated testing.
- The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued new frequently asked questions (FAQs) on anti-kickback statute enforcement flexibilities for COVID-19 vaccine promotion campaigns.
- President Biden ordered a report from U.S. intelligence agencies on the origins of COVID-19 within 90 days. This report is intended to investigate the theory that COVID-19 originated in a Chinese lab.
- Congress is also planning to investigate the lab origin theory.
- A recent news report that three researchers at the lab were hospitalized for symptoms similar to COVID-19 in late 2019 brought new attention to this theory.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Updates
- The CDC has detected breakthrough COVID-19 cases in only 0.01 percent of fully vaccinated adults (about 10,000 people). Only 2% of people with breakthrough cases (160 people) died. Many of those deaths were due to causes unrelated to COVID-19. This data indicates that the COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective against symptomatic disease, hospitalization and death.
- The CDC published the following reports and websites updates:
- Overall U.S. COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution and Administration Update as of Thu, 27 May 2021 06:00:00 EST
- Cases in the U.S.
- Science Brief: Background Rationale and Evidence for Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People
- Selected Adverse Events Reported after COVID-19 Vaccination
- COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Teens
- COVID-19 Hospitalization and Death by Race/Ethnicity
- Training for Healthcare Professionals
- All-Latino Team Builds Connections in Virginia Outbreak
- Reporting COVID-19 Vaccination Demographic Data
- COVID-19 Vaccines for Older Adults
- COVID-19 Vaccination for Essential Workers
- COVID-19 Graphics and Buttons
- Possible Side Effects After Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine
- Frequently Asked Questions
Economy, Vaccines, Testing and Treatment
- New COVID-19 cases declined for a fifth week in a row.
- According to the CDC, half of all U.S. adults are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
- This article discusses how the federal government will decide if booster shots are needed.
- Blacks and Hispanics are still experiencing high COVID-19 rates due to lower vaccination rates.
- The CDC is reminding unvaccinated people that they are still at high risk for COVID-19 despite improving vaccination rates.
- New research shows that asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 are just as transmissible as severe cases.
- An article in Nature describes the science behind the decisions to lift or maintain mask mandates.
- Moderna reported positive preliminary results from its vaccine trials in adolescents aged 12-17 that shows the vaccine is both safe and effective for this population.
- GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) emergency approval for its COVID-19 antibody therapy.
- The FDA may stop issuing emergency use authorizations (EUA) for new COVID-19 vaccines. EUAs are an expedited review process reserved for emergency situations such as a pandemic. The FDA would instead review new vaccine candidates under its standard review procedures. According to news reports, the FDA would still consider EUAs for candidates that have already discussed an EUA with the FDA.
- News reports indicate that Moderna is planning to introduce a single-dose version of its COVID-19 vaccine in 2022.
- Many businesses are navigating how to encourage employees to get vaccinated without mandating vaccinations.
- A new survey shows continued vaccine hesitancy among rural healthcare workers.
