Novavax’s COVID-19 Vaccine Approved for Older Adults and At-Risk Individuals

After a six-week delay, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine, but only for people 65 and older and those 12 years and older who have at least one underlying condition, such as asthma, diabetes, lung disease, obesity and pregnancy, that puts them at higher risk of severe illness.

Combination Flu and COVID-19 Vaccine Prompts Immune Response in Older Adults

A recent study of Moderna’s combination influenze (flu) and COVID-18 vaccine, mRNA-1083, found that it induced higher immune responses than recommended standard care influenza (standard and high dose) and COVID-19 vaccines against all four influenza strains (among those ages 50 to 64 years), the three clinically relevant influenza strains (among those aged 65 years and older), and SARS-CoV-2 (all ages), with an acceptable tolerability and safety profile.

COVID-19 May Increase Kawasaki Disease Risk

A recent study found there is significantly higher intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) resistance among children who contracted COVID-19 before developing Kawasaki disease (KD).

Study Finds Link Between COVID-19 and Autoimmunity

A population-based study conducted by researchers from the Republic of Korea found a significantly higher risk of developing autoimmune and autoinflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), lupus, Crohn’s disease, and alopecia, among individuals who had COVID-19, with risks particularly elevated for those with severe cases, Delta variant infections and those who were unvaccinated.

Updated COVID Vaccines Approved by FDA

FDA has approved and granted emergency use authorization for updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (2024-2025 formula) to include a monovalent (single) component that corresponds to the Omicron variant KP.2 strain of SARSCoV-2.