- The Mayo Clinic reported that monoclonal antibodies reduced the risk of COVID-19 hospitalization by 77%.
- The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is offering individual clinicians an exemption from Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) reporting for 2021 due to hardships caused by the pandemic.
- Pfizer requested Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) of its oral antiviral COVID-19 pill to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
- Pfizer also signed a licensing agreement with the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) to expand access to the pill in lower-income countries.
- AstraZeneca reported that their antibody treatment reduces risk of symptomatic COVID-19 by 83% and prevents severe disease or death after six months.
White House and Federal Agencies
- The Biden administration announced it will purchase 10 million doses of the Pfizer antiviral COVID-19 pill.
- The White House COVID-19 Response Team announced their support for all adults to get COVID-19 booster shots, even though the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have yet to issue such a broad endorsement.
- The legal challenge to the Biden Administration’s employer vaccine mandate will soon be heard by the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. OSHA is not enforcing this mandate while the legal challenge plays out.
- The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is offering individual clinicians an exemption from Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) reporting for 2021 due to hardships caused by the pandemic.
Economy, Vaccines, Testing and Treatment
- Pfizer requested Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) of its oral antiviral COVID-19 pill to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
- Pfizer also signed a licensing agreement with the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) to expand access to the pill in lower-income countries.
- Moderna filed for an FDA EUA to allow its COVID-19 booster vaccine for all adults. It is currently approved based on age and health status.
- The Biden administration announced that 2.6 million (10%) of eligible 5- to 11- year-old children have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
- Moderna offered co-ownership of its COVID-19 vaccine patent to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
- The CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meets Friday, 11/19 (12:00 – 3:00 pm ET) to discuss expanding eligibility for Pfizer’s COVID-19 booster dose beyond those 65 and older and those with certain medical conditions.
- A new analysis of 68 studies, covering 4.3 million patients, highlights racial health disparities for COVID-19 outcomes.
- An analysis of CDC data found that nearly a third of health workers are unvaccinated.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the Delta variant accounts for 99% of COVID-19 cases worldwide.
- Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Dr. Anthony Fauci reported that hospitalization rates are increasing among vaccinated individuals.
- The FDA reissued several COVID-19 policies, including multiple EUAs for COVID-19 tests.
- A new study shows face masks reduce COVID-19 incidence by 53%.
- NIH began a long-term study of children that were diagnosed with COVID-19 infections.
- A study finds that hospitalized COVID-19 patients taking medications that suppress the immune system are not at higher risk for death or ventilation.
- AstraZeneca reported that its antibody treatment reduces risk of symptomatic COVID-19 by 83% and prevents severe disease or death after six months.
- The Mayo Clinic reported that monoclonal antibodies reduced the risk of COVID-19 hospitalization by 77%.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Updates
- Cases in the U.S.
- Overall U.S. COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution and Administration Update as of Wed, 17 Nov 2021 06:00:00 EST
- COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shot
- COVID-19 and Animals
- COVID-19 Vaccines for People with Disabilities
- Requirement for Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination for Air Passengers
- COVID-19 Vaccines for Teachers, School Staff, and Childcare Workers
- Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers
- Selected Adverse Events Reported after COVID-19 Vaccination
