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).
COVID-19 Vaccine May Reduce Risk of Developing Long COVID
A new study published in the journal Vaccine, shows that receiving a COVID-19 vaccine could reduce the risk of developing long COVID if it’s administered five months before an infection.
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.
Nasal Swab May Predict Severity of COVID-19
New research suggests autoantibodies in the nasal cavity may predict the severity of COVID-19 disease.
FDA Approves First Over-the-Counter Combo Flu and COVID Test Outside of Emergency Use
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the first over-the-counter combination COVID-19 and influenza test, the Healgen Rapid Check COVID-19/Flu A&B Antigen Test, outside of emergency use.
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.
CDC Identifies New COVID Strain Known as XEC
A newly discovered COVID strain known as XEC continues to spread rapidly across multiple countries, including the U.S.
Nasal COVID-19 Vaccine Halts Transmission of SARS-CoV-2
A study by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis indicates next-generation vaccines that target a virus’s points of entry — the nose and mouth — may be able to contain the spread of respiratory infections and prevent transmission.