AZ Covid shot shows strong results in USA clinical trial
No signals of blood clots or other safety issues, the company says; CDC raises alarm over continued spread of novel coronavirus as travel increases
One out of four Americans has received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose and 14% are fully vaccinated, according to the CDC. However, the steady decline in new cases, hospitalizations and deaths that started in January has stalled, with several states in the Upper Midwest and Northeast reporting increases in new cases in the past week. After a period of improving numbers in all 50 states, the Johns Hopkins tracker shows more states moving in the wrong direction today.
AstraZeneca published top-line results of its Phase 3 clinical trial to support use of the COVID-19 vaccine in the USA. Like the prior three vaccines granted EUA status, the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine was 100% effective at prevented severe disease or death from COVID-19 and 79% successful at preventing any COVID-19 symptoms. The vaccine was equally effective among adults older than 65 and those younger. The company says it will soon apply to the FDA for emergency use authorization. Millions of doses have already been manufactured in advance of these results and the FDA green light.
Researchers looked for and did not find the blood clots that some European countries were concerned about.
Two scientists say they figured out why the rare blood clots occur and how to treat them, although their findings have not been peer reviewed.
AstraZeneca promises “up to 3 billion doses” of its COVID-19 vaccine to countries around the world this year. The vaccine is already in use in the UK, Europe and many other nations.
The White House says it expects Johnson & Johnson to come close to its promise to deliver 20 million vaccine doses by April 1 and a total of 80 million by May. Although US production has been underway, the company has been awaiting FDA clearance to distribute the vaccines produced at the new facilities.
The TSA reports more than 1 million travelers passed through airport checkpoints each of the last 11 days and the first time more than 1.5 million passengers were screened since the pandemic began. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said Spring Break travel and premature relaxation of masking and social distance jeopardizes the nation’s recovery from the pandemic.
A physician described his experience on a recent flight with a sick passenger in a recent Forbes article. His account illustrates what can go wrong when community health relies on the honor system.
Parody: “Coronavirus Thanks Ron DeSantis for Making It Feel So Welcome at Spring Break,” shouts the headline on Andy Borowitz’s New Yorker column.
Microsoft, one of the first large companies to close its offices to prevent COVID-19, will begin allowing some workers the option of returning to offices starting next week.