Here is what the editors at Physician’s Briefing chose as the most important COVID-19 developments for you and your practice for the week of April 19 to 23, 2021. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal studies and other trusted sources that is most likely to affect clinical practice.
FDA Moves to Resume Use of J&J COVID Vaccine
FRIDAY, April 23, 2021 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday lifted the temporary pause it had placed on the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine and said it will add a note to the shot’s labeling warning of the potential for rare blood clots.
Pfizer and Moderna Vaccines Effective Against New NYC Variant
FRIDAY, April 23, 2021 (HealthDay News) — The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines protect against serious illness and death from the coronavirus variant first identified in New York City, two new studies show.
Few SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Breakthrough Infections Reported at SNFs
FRIDAY, April 23, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Few cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infections have been reported at skilled nursing facilities among those with at least 14 days since receipt of the second dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series, according to research published in the April 21 early-release issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Single-Dose Ad26.COV2.S Effective Against COVID-19
FRIDAY, April 23, 2021 (HealthDay News) — A single dose of human adenovirus type 26 vector encoding full-length severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 spike protein protects against moderate- to severe-critical and severe-critical COVID-19, according to a study published online April 21 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Severe Maternal Morbidity, Mortality Up With COVID-19 in Pregnancy
FRIDAY, April 23, 2021 (HealthDay News) — COVID-19 in pregnancy is associated with increased severe maternal morbidity and mortality, according to a study published online April 22 in JAMA Pediatrics.
No Obvious Safety Signals ID’d for mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine in Pregnancy
THURSDAY, April 22, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Preliminary findings indicate no obvious safety signals for pregnant women who receive mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, according to a study published online April 21 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
One COVID-19 Vaccine Dose Wasted for Every 850 Used: CDC Data
THURSDAY, April 22, 2021 (HealthDay News) — One dose of COVID-19 vaccine was thrown out for every 850 doses administered in the United States, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data up to March 29.
Fake Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccines Being Sold Online
THURSDAY, April 22, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Counterfeit versions of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine are being sold online, the company warns.
Biden Gives Businesses Incentives to Help Workers Get COVID-19 Shots
THURSDAY, April 22, 2021 (HealthDay News) — As demand for COVID-19 vaccination in the United States shows signs of declining, President Joe Biden on Wednesday offered businesses new incentives to help more workers get their shots.
Decrease Seen in Abusive Head Trauma for Young Children During Pandemic
THURSDAY, April 22, 2021 (HealthDay News) — There was a decrease in hospital admissions for children younger than 5 years diagnosed with abusive head trauma during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a study published in the April issue of Pediatrics.
Recovered but RT-PCR-Positive Individuals Unlikely to Transmit SARS-CoV-2
THURSDAY, April 22, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Individuals who have clinically recovered from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection and continue to test positive for viral RNA after completing the recommended isolation period do not appear to be infectious to others, according to a study published online April 22 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Guidance Updated for Assessing Allergy Risk of COVID-19 Vaccines
THURSDAY, April 22, 2021 (HealthDay News) — In an editorial published online April 15 in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice, an updated pre-COVID-19 vaccine risk stratification algorithm is presented for use in patients with reported allergic reactions.
Globally, No Increase Seen in Suicides in Early COVID-19 Pandemic
WEDNESDAY, April 21, 2021 (HealthDay News) — In high-income and upper-middle-income countries, suicide numbers remained unchanged or declined in the early months of the pandemic versus the prepandemic period, according to a study published online April 13 in The Lancet Psychiatry.
FDA: Multiple Violations Found at Baltimore Plant Making COVID-19 Vaccines
WEDNESDAY, April 21, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Improper disinfection and not following contamination prevention protocols are among the nine violations found by U.S. Food and Drug Administration inspectors at a Baltimore plant that had to discard up to 15 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine and was ordered to temporarily halt all production.
Supply May Soon Outstrip Demand in U.S. COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout
WEDNESDAY, April 21, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Since the first COVID-19 vaccine was approved in December, millions of Americans have eagerly sought to find and receive one. But a new report reveals that that could change over the next few weeks, as the pool of eager recipients shrinks and only the vaccine-hesitant remain.
Mechanism ID’d for Thrombosis After ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 Vaccine
WEDNESDAY, April 21, 2021 (HealthDay News) — A pathogenic platelet factor 4-dependent syndrome has been observed rarely after administration of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine, according to a report published online April 16 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Sex Disparities in COVID-19 Deaths Not Seen Across Race
WEDNESDAY, April 21, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Sex disparities in COVID-19 mortality do not hold across racial groups, according to a study published online April 5 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
Vaccinating Lactating Mothers May Protect Infants From COVID-19
WEDNESDAY, April 21, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 are detectable in the breast milk of lactating women up to 80 days following COVID-19 vaccination, according to a research letter published online March 30 in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
J&J COVID-19 Vaccine Should Be Used, but Carry Blood Clot Warning
TUESDAY, April 20, 2021 (HealthDay News) — A warning about a possible link to rare blood clots should be added to the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen single-dose COVID-19 vaccine, the European Union drug regulator said Tuesday.
CDC: Risk Low for COVID-19 Surface Transmission
TUESDAY, April 20, 2021 (HealthDay News) — There is a low risk for surface transmission of the new coronavirus and continuously disinfecting surfaces may do more harm than good, according to updated U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
Every American Adult Now Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine
TUESDAY, April 20, 2021 (HealthDay News) — As of Monday, every American aged 16 years or older in all 50 states is now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, meeting President Joe Biden’s promise to deliver vaccines to all adults by April 19.
Some Supplements May Lower Risk for SARS-CoV-2 Positivity
TUESDAY, April 20, 2021 (HealthDay News) — The use of probiotics, omega-3 fatty acids, multivitamins, and vitamin D supplements is associated with a reduction in the risk for testing positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, at least among women, according to a study published online April 19 in The BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health.
SARS-CoV-2 Cardiac Involvement Low in Collegiate Athletes
TUESDAY, April 20, 2021 (HealthDay News) — For U.S. collegiate athletes, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection is associated with a low prevalence of cardiac involvement, according to a study published online April 17 in Circulation.
Total Vaccines, Measles Vaccines Down for Children During Pandemic
TUESDAY, April 20, 2021 (HealthDay News) — During the pandemic, there has been a decrease in total and measles-containing vaccines in all children, according to a study published online April 15 in Pediatrics.
Third Booster COVID-19 Vaccine Shot Available by Fall: Moderna
MONDAY, April 19, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Moderna says a third booster shot for its two-dose COVID-19 vaccine will be available in the United States by the fall.
Global COVID-19 Death Toll Surpasses 3 Million
MONDAY, April 19, 2021 (HealthDay News) — The official global COVID-19 death toll surpassed 3 million this weekend, according to Johns Hopkins University data.
Oregonians Rebel as State Considers ‘Indefinite Extension’ of Pandemic Rules
MONDAY, April 19, 2021 (HealthDay News) — An indefinite extension on wearing masks and social distancing in all businesses is being considered by the administrator of the Oregon Department of Occupational Safety and Health.
Risk for Subsequent SARS-CoV-2 Infection Lower With Seropositivity
MONDAY, April 19, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Among healthy, young adults, those who are seropositive rather than seronegative for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 have a reduced risk for subsequent SARS-CoV-2 infection — about one-fifth the risk for infection compared with seronegative participants, according to a study published online April 15 in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine.
Half of American Adults Have Received at Least One COVID-19 Vaccine Shot
MONDAY, April 19, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Half of all Americans aged 18 years or older have now gotten at least one shot in the arm of a COVID-19 vaccine, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Sunday.
AAN: Stroke Occurs in 2.2 Percent of Patients Admitted to ICU With COVID-19
MONDAY, April 19, 2021 (HealthDay News) — For patients with COVID-19 admitted to the intensive care unit, stroke is not a common complication, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology, held virtually from April 17 to 22.
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