Category: Covid-19 Vaccine

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) reports as of July 1, 2022, there are currently 2,297 active COVID-19 cases statewide. There were no deaths reported to DHHR over the last 24 hours, and total deaths remain at 7,064 attributed to COVID-19.

CURRENT ACTIVE CASES PER COUNTY: Barbour (17), Berkeley (137), Boone (47), Braxton (27), Brooke (21), Cabell (126), Calhoun (5), Clay (8), Doddridge (1), Fayette (61), Gilmer (6), Grant (13), Greenbrier (56), Hampshire (35), Hancock (29), Hardy (11), Harrison (99), Jackson (26), Jefferson (64), Kanawha (249), Lewis (19), Lincoln (20), Logan (43), Marion (90), Marshall (36), Mason (22), McDowell (31), Mercer (82), Mineral (43), Mingo (33), Monongalia (117), Monroe (22), Morgan (8), Nicholas (27), Ohio (45), Pendleton (3), Pleasants (13), Pocahontas (4), Preston (28), Putnam (94), Raleigh (112), Randolph (19), Ritchie (10), Roane (22), Summers (16), Taylor (30), Tucker (8), Tyler (2), Upshur (42), Wayne (32), Webster (13), Wetzel (21), Wirt (3), Wood (114), Wyoming (35). To find the cumulative cases per county, please visit coronavirus.wv.gov and look on the Cumulative Summary tab which is sortable by county.

West Virginians ages 6 months and older are recommended to get vaccinated against the virus that causes COVID-19. Those 5 years and older should receive a booster shot when due. Second booster shots for those age 50 and over who are 4 months or greater from their first booster are recommended, as well as for younger individuals over 12 years old with serious and chronic health conditions that lead to being considered moderately to severely immunocompromised.

Visit the WV COVID-19 Vaccination Due Date Calculator, a free, online tool that helps individuals figure out when they may be due for a COVID-19 shot, making it easier to stay up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccination. To learn more about COVID-19 vaccines, or to find a vaccine site near you, visit vaccinate.wv.gov or call 1-833-734-0965.

To locate COVID-19 testing near you, please visit https://dhhr.wv.gov/COVID-19/pages/testing.aspx.

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COVID-19 Daily Update 7-1-2022 - West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources

A national nonprofit wants to better understand how Filipino communities across the country feel about COVID-19 vaccines.

Researchers from the Filipino Young Leaders Program, which seeks to advance Filipino voices through advocacy, said its important to have disaggregated data to show the pandemics impact on Filipino communities.

To have this type of data it helps not only with the resources, but it also helps in understanding the health information, said Chachie Abara, who is helping survey researchers with local efforts. It really helps highlight a lot of information in terms of how we can provide the support in the continental U.S. and here in Hawaii.

Abara, who moved from the Philippines to Hawaii as a child, pointed out that its also key to understand why some people are hesitant to get vaccinated.

In Hawaii, Filipinos have been hit hard by the pandemic.

About 24% of those who died from COVID-19 identified as Filipino, according to the state Department of Health. That represents the highest share among all ethnic groups.

Also, about 17% of people in Hawaii who tested positive for COVID-19 are Filipino, according to the state Health Department.

The 20-minute survey is conducted online and on the phone in English and Tagalog. It is open to Filipino Americans who are at least 18 years old, regardless of vaccination status.

For more information and to participate in the survey, click here.

Read more here:

Researchers to study COVID-19 vaccine experiences and beliefs in Filipino communities - Hawaiipublicradio

DHHR has confirmed the deaths of a 71-year old male from Pleasants County, a 94-year old female from Wood County, an 82-year old female from Cabell County, an 88-year old female from Pleasants County, and a 96-year old female from Ohio County.

We offer our deepest sympathies as the families and our state grieve more losses due to COVID-19, said Bill J. Crouch, DHHR Cabinet Secretary. Each life lost is one too many, and we must do everything we can to stop the pandemic including getting vaccinated and boosted.

CURRENT ACTIVE CASES PER COUNTY: Barbour (11), Berkeley (125), Boone (46), Braxton (24), Brooke (15), Cabell (108), Calhoun (7), Clay (9), Doddridge (3), Fayette (52), Gilmer (4), Grant (13), Greenbrier (55), Hampshire (25), Hancock (31), Hardy (11), Harrison (89), Jackson (22), Jefferson (63), Kanawha (239), Lewis (18), Lincoln (19), Logan (37), Marion (83), Marshall (29), Mason (21), McDowell (31), Mercer (76), Mineral (32), Mingo (24), Monongalia (114), Monroe (19), Morgan (14), Nicholas (31), Ohio (41), Pendleton (2), Pleasants (13), Pocahontas (4), Preston (26), Putnam (90), Raleigh (95), Randolph (18), Ritchie (9), Roane (22), Summers (18), Taylor (27), Tucker (8), Tyler (4), Upshur (41), Wayne (28), Webster (13), Wetzel (15), Wirt (3), Wood (97), Wyoming (31). To find the cumulative cases per county, please visit coronavirus.wv.gov and look on the Cumulative Summary tab which is sortable by county.

West Virginians ages 6 months and older are recommended to get vaccinated against the virus that causes COVID-19. Those 5 years and older should receive a booster shot when due. Second booster shots for those age 50 and over who are 4 months or greater from their first booster are recommended, as well as for younger individuals over 12 years old with serious and chronic health conditions that lead to being considered moderately to severely immunocompromised.

Visit the WV COVID-19 Vaccination Due Date Calculator, a free, online tool that helps individuals figure out when they may be due for a COVID-19 shot, making it easier to stay up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccination. To learn more about COVID-19 vaccines, or to find a vaccine site near you, visit vaccinate.wv.gov or call 1-833-734-0965.

To locate COVID-19 testing near you, please visit https://dhhr.wv.gov/COVID-19/pages/testing.aspx.

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COVID-19 Daily Update 6-30-2022 - West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources

A U.S. Army combat medic draws the COVID-19 vaccine into a syringe. (Aaron Rodriguez/National Guard)

Stars and Stripes is making stories on the coronavirus pandemic available free of charge. See more storieshere. Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletterhere. Please support our journalismwith a subscription.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Tribune News Service) A group ofTennessee National Guardmembers, who face being forced out of the service by theU.S. Department of Defenseon Thursday over their refusal to get mandated COVID-19 vaccines, along with their supporters pleaded publicly with Gov.Bill Leeon Wednesday to take actions, including suing the federal government if necessary, to prevent their dismissal.

OnJune 30, hundreds of yourTennessee National Guardsoldiers under an illegal, improper order by the Biden administrationsDepartment of Defensein defiance of natural law and the United States Constitution are scheduled to be dismissed from service due to refusal to accept a COVID-19 vaccination, read a petition presented to the stateCapitoloffice of Lee by several dozen Guard members, their families and friends.

It is your duty before God and the citizens of the great state of Tennessee, sir, to help these men and women. Please stop them from being fired, sir! the petition tells Lee, a Republican.

The governor was not in the office to accept the petition.

Ricky Shelton, aTennessee National Guardcaptain fromGrainger Countywho is a member of the230th Sustainment Brigadeout ofChattanooga, helped lead the effort. Several Republican lawmakers voiced support for the guard members as well.

Standing outside the governors office suite, Shelton told theChattanooga Times Free Presshe had been unsuccessfully trying to meet with Lee.

Theyve ignored and theyve ignored and diverted and tried to avoid whether its an event we invited them to or whatever it may be, said Shelton, who along with comrades and other supporters rallied earlier onLegislative Plazabefore the stateCapitol. So theyve avoided us like a plague.

He said he had been in back-and-forth conversations with Lee Chief of StaffJoseph Williamsto set up a meeting, but it had not come through by Wednesday.

Rep.Jerry Sexton, R-Bean Station, was among a group of Republican lawmakers joining the protesters onLegislative Plazafor their rally. He later accompanied them into theCapitolto Lees offices.

Were here to stand with theTennessee National Guardto support them and their effort to not take the vaccine and to encourage our governor and attorney general to do all that they can do, whatever they can to push back against this, Sexton told theTimes Free Press. They dont need to lose their jobs. And we dont need to lose them, you know, in our defense.

Lee CommunicationsDirectorLaine Arnoldlater issued a statement to theTimes Free Press.

The COVID-19 vaccine mandate is aDepartment of Defenserequirement, the statement said. But we have approved every personal and religious exemption brought forward by members of the Guard.

We have also advocated to theDoDthat personnel who sought an exemption should receive that same exemption federally, and we are awaiting their response. In the meantime, we have no plans to terminate or dishonorably discharge personnel.

Shelton said he personally objects to the COVID-19 vaccines because, he added, human tissue from aborted fetuses were used to develop or make the vaccines.

The groups requests to Lee include:

Publicly condemning firings ofTennessee National Guardmembers who are scheduled to be terminated due to their refusal of the COVID-19 vaccine. They also want Lee to do everything in your power to help those members.

Immediately orderTennessee National Guard Adjutant Generaland Maj.Gen. Jeff Holmesto halt the discharge of the men and women refusing the vaccinations.

Ask Tennessee Attorney GeneralHerb Slateryto file suit on behalf of theTennessee National Guardmembers and coordinate with other states attorneys general to file an emergency injunction against theDepartment of Defense, forcing them to reverse adverse actions against any National Guardsman for refusal to vaccinate.

We pray that you find it in your heart and your character to take action. Please join us in fighting for the men and women of theTennessee National Guard, the petition adds.

According to The Associated Press, up to 40,000Army National Guardsoldiers across the country or about 13% of the force have not yet taken the mandated COVID-19 vaccine, and as the deadline for shots looms, at least 14,000 of them have flatly refused and could be forced out of the service.

Guard leaders say states are doing all they can to encourage soldiers to get vaccinated by the time limit. And they said they will work with the roughly 7,000 who have sought exemptions, which are almost all for religious reasons.

You are their commander-in-chief, the petition says to Lee. We implore you to do everything within your power to fight for these dedicated men and women. To date, sir, you have been silent. We implore you to be silent no more.

Shelton told theTimes Free Pressthat after this now, honestly, I dont care what happens to me. Because this is more important because we were always taught to take an oath to defend our soldiers And if their health is being affected and nobodys stepping up for them, it is my duty to do that.

And I will walk through hell with a can of gasoline in each hand and back for my soldiers if I had to, Shelton added.

(c)2022 the Chattanooga Times/Free Press (Chattanooga, Tenn.)

Visit at http://www.timesfreepress.com

Distributed byTribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Tennessee National Guard members urge governor to fight looming federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate - Stars and Stripes

A syringe is prepared with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination clinic at the Keystone First Wellness Center in Chester, Pa. (AP file photo/Matt Rourke)

U.S. health authorities are facing a critical decision: whether to offer new COVID-19 booster shots this fall that are modified to better match recent changes of the shape-shifting coronavirus.

Moderna and Pfizer have tested updated shots against the super-contagious omicron variant, and advisers to the Food and Drug Administration were set to debate Tuesday if its time to make a switch setting the stage for similar moves by other countries.

This is science at its toughest, FDA vaccine chief Dr. Peter Marks told The Associated Press, adding that a final decision is expected within days of the advisory panels recommendation.

Current COVID-19 vaccines saved millions of lives around the world in just their first year of use. And the Moderna and Pfizer shots still offer strong protection against the worst outcomes severe illness and death especially after a booster dose.

But those vaccines target the original coronavirus strain and between waning immunity and a relentless barrage of variants, protection against infections has dropped markedly. The challenge is deciding if tweaked boosters offer a good chance of blunting another surge when theres no way to predict which mutant will be the main threat.

In an analysis prepared for Tuesdays meeting, FDA officials acknowledged targeting last winters version of omicron is somewhat outdated since it already has been replaced by its even more contagious relatives.

We would obviously like to get it right enough, Marks said, so that with one more shot we get a full season of protection.

Many experts say updated boosters promise at least a little more benefit.

It is more likely to be helpful than simply giving additional doses of todays vaccine, said epidemiologist William Hanage of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Thats assuming the virus doesnt throw another curve ball.

Were following rather than getting ahead which is so vexing that we havent come up with a better variant-proof vaccine, said Dr. Eric Topol, head of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, who has urged a major government push for next-generation immunizations.

Adding to concern about a winter COVID-19 wave is that about half of Americans eligible for that all-important first booster dose never got it. An updated version might entice some of them.

But we do need to change our expectations, said Dr. William Moss of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, who noted that studies early in the pandemic raised unrealistic hopes of blocking even the mildest infections. Our strategy cant be booster doses every couple of months, even every six months, to prevent infections.

The top candidates are what scientists call bivalent shots a combination of the original vaccine plus omicron protection.

Thats because the original vaccines do spur production of at least some virus-fighting antibodies strong enough to cross-react with newer mutants in addition to their proven benefits against severe disease, said University of Pennsylvania immunologist E. John Wherry.

Being able to push the boost response a little bit in one direction or the other without losing the core is really important, he said.

Moderna and Pfizer found their combo shots substantially boosted levels of omicron-fighting antibodies in adults whod already had three vaccinations, more than simply giving another regular dose.

Recipients also developed antibodies that could fight omicrons newest relatives named BA.4 and BA.5, although not nearly as many. Its not clear how much protection that will translate into, and for how long.

Antibodies are a key first layer of defense that form after vaccination or a prior infection. They can prevent infection by recognizing the outer coating of the coronavirus the spike protein and blocking it from entering your cells.

But antibodies naturally wane and each new variant comes with a different-looking spike protein, giving it a better chance of evading detection by remaining antibodies. Separate studies published this month in Nature and the New England Journal of Medicine show the newest omicron relatives are even better at dodging antibodies both in the vaccinated and in people who recovered from the original omicron.

That first booster people were supposed to get strengthened immune memory, helping explain why protection against hospitalization and death is proving more durable. If the virus sneaks past antibodies, different defenders called T cells spring into action, attacking infected cells to curb illness.

T cells recognize the virus in a fundamentally different way, not hunting for disguised spike protein but for parts of the virus that so far havent been altered as much, said Penns Wherry.

Still, as people get older, all parts of their immune system gradually weaken. Theres little data on how long T cell protection against COVID-19 lasts or how it varies with different mutations or vaccines.

Wherry and dozens of other scientists recently petitioned the FDA to quit focusing solely on antibodies and start measuring T cells as it decides vaccination strategy.

The Biden administration has made clear that it needs Congress to provide more money so that if the FDA clears updated boosters, the government can buy enough for every American who wants one. And Dr. Anthony Fauci, the governments top infectious disease expert, told Congress last week more research funding also is critical to create better next-generation vaccines, such as nasal versions that might better block infection in the nose or more variant-proof shots.

The virus is changing and we need to keep up with it, Fauci, said.

Excerpt from:

US grapples with whether to modify COVID-19 vaccine for fall - Journal Record

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) reports as of June 28, 2022, there are currently 1,993 active COVID-19 cases statewide. There has been one death reported since the last report, with a total of 7,057 deaths attributed to COVID-19.

DHHR has confirmed the death of a 65-year old female from Kanawha County.

We are saddened to report the loss of another West Virginian, and extend our sympathies to the family, said Bill J. Crouch, DHHR Cabinet Secretary. Please utilize the vaccine calculator to ensure you are up to date on your COVID vaccine.

CURRENT ACTIVE CASES PER COUNTY: Barbour (8), Berkeley (119), Boone (28), Braxton (16), Brooke (19), Cabell (104), Calhoun (8), Clay (11), Doddridge (6), Fayette (69), Gilmer (5), Grant (14), Greenbrier (59), Hampshire (21), Hancock (26), Hardy (14), Harrison (84), Jackson (18), Jefferson (75), Kanawha (197), Lewis (12), Lincoln (12), Logan (38), Marion (86), Marshall (29), Mason (26), McDowell (30), Mercer (73), Mineral (30), Mingo (16), Monongalia (110), Monroe (23), Morgan (15), Nicholas (34), Ohio (35), Pendleton (1), Pleasants (5), Pocahontas (5), Preston (23), Putnam (77), Raleigh (90), Randolph (21), Ritchie (8), Roane (30), Summers (15), Taylor (18), Tucker (9), Tyler (6), Upshur (47), Wayne (29), Webster (4), Wetzel (22), Wirt (3), Wood (86), Wyoming (24). To find the cumulative cases per county, please visit coronavirus.wv.gov and look on the Cumulative Summary tab which is sortable by county.

West Virginians ages 6 months and older are recommended to get vaccinated against the virus that causes COVID-19. Those 5 years and older should receive a booster shot when due. Second booster shots for those age 50 and over who are 4 months or greater from their first booster are recommended, as well as for younger individuals over 12 years old with serious and chronic health conditions that lead to being considered moderately to severely immunocompromised.

Visit the WV COVID-19 Vaccination Due Date Calculator, a free, online tool that helps individuals figure out when they may be due for a COVID-19 shot, making it easier to stay up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccination. To learn more about COVID-19 vaccines, or to find a vaccine site near you, visit vaccinate.wv.gov or call 1-833-734-0965.

To locate COVID-19 testing near you, please visit https://dhhr.wv.gov/COVID-19/pages/testing.aspx.

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COVID-19 Daily Update 6-28-2022 - West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources

A syringe is prepared with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination clinic in Chester, Pa., on Dec. 15, 2021. Pfizer says tweaking its COVID-19 vaccine to better target the omicron variant is safe and boosts protection. Matt Rourke/AP hide caption

A syringe is prepared with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination clinic in Chester, Pa., on Dec. 15, 2021. Pfizer says tweaking its COVID-19 vaccine to better target the omicron variant is safe and boosts protection.

Pfizer announced Saturday that tweaking its COVID-19 vaccine to better target the omicron variant is safe and works just days before regulators debate whether to offer Americans updated booster shots this fall.

The vaccines currently used in the U.S. still offer strong protection against severe COVID-19 disease and death especially if people have gotten a booster dose. But those vaccines target the original coronavirus strain and their effectiveness against any infection dropped markedly when the super-contagious omicron mutant emerged.

Now with omicron's even more transmissible relatives spreading widely, the Food and Drug Administration is considering ordering a recipe change for the vaccines made by both Pfizer and rival Moderna in hopes that modified boosters could better protect against another COVID-19 surge expected this fall and winter.

Pfizer and its partner BioNTech studied two different ways of updating their shots targeting just omicron, or a combination booster that adds omicron protection to the original vaccine. They also tested whether to keep today's standard dosage 30 micrograms or to double the shots' strength.

In a study of more than 1,200 middle-aged and older adults who'd already had three vaccine doses, Pfizer said both booster approaches spurred a substantial jump in omicron-fighting antibodies.

"Based on these data, we believe we have two very strong omicron-adapted candidates," Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said in a statement.

Pfizer's omicron-only booster sparked the strongest immune response against that variant.

But many experts say combination shots may be the best approach because they would retain the proven benefits of the original COVID-19 vaccine while adding new protection against omicron. And Pfizer said a month after people received its combo shot, they had a 9 to 11-fold increase in omicron-fighting antibodies. That's more than 1.5 times better than another dose of the original vaccine.

And importantly, preliminary lab studies show the tweaked shots also produce antibodies capable of fighting omicron's genetically distinct relatives named BA.4 and BA.5, although those levels weren't nearly as high.

Moderna recently announced similar results from tests of its combination shot, what scientists call a "bivalent" vaccine.

The studies weren't designed to track how well updated boosters prevented COVID-19 cases. Nor is it clear how long any added protection would last.

But the FDA's scientific advisers will publicly debate the data on Tuesday, as they grapple with whether to recommend a change to the vaccines' recipes ahead of similar decisions by other countries.

The rest is here:

Pfizer says its tweaked COVID-19 shots boost protection against the omicron variant - NPR

Over a year after the US authorized its first vaccines, COVID cases continue to pile up, leaving many vaccinated people wondering: Do I need a vaccine upgrade? People who are fully vaccinated and boosted have been testing positive in huge numbers, particularly since the omicron-triggered wave started its relentless burn across the United States in December. Vaccines that once caused experts to declare COVID-19 a pandemic of the unvaccinated dont protect as well against illness, even as they continued to protect against the most severe disease. Breakthrough infections are so common that the near-miraculous protection the vaccine promised a year ago feels very far away.

Part of the problem is that the virus that the vaccines target the first version of the coronavirus that started spreading in early 2020 doesnt exist anymore. Now, regulators, researchers, and vaccine companies are turning to the next phase of the vaccine development process: finding a way to protect against the virus thats spreading now and finding a way to protect people against future variations of the virus.

On June 28th, an FDA committee will meet to discuss whether and how future booster doses of vaccines might specifically target emerging variants of the virus. Like the seasonal flu shot, the next vaccines may at some point protect against whatever version of the virus is going to be circulating in a particular year. At the same time, other scientists are looking into ways of making the protection from any booster shot last longer. Longer-term, COVID-19 vaccines might be very different from current shots, using different technology and protecting against viruses that dont even exist yet. Some might not be shots but nasal sprays, which might be able to prevent even mild infections.

Preventing severe disease was the original goal, and I understand that. At the beginning of the pandemic, that made sense, said Akiko Iwasaki, a professor of immunobiology at Yale University School of Medicine. But now we understand the virus better and the fact that the variants are here I think we need to shift our thinking.

The first step for the future of COVID-19 vaccines is to play catch-up with the recent past. After over two years, the version of the virus that was first detected in Wuhan, China, has been replaced by its more contagious and immune-evading variants. Several vaccine manufacturers have already started testing vaccines tailored to the omicron variant. An early analysis of Modernas omicron-specific shot showed that it generated more antibodies against the omicron virus than the original vaccine, the company announced earlier this month. The vaccine is bivalent its made to protect against both the original flavor coronavirus and omicron.

Moderna says its booster may be available by late summer in some markets, wrote Elise Meyer, senior director of communications at Moderna, in an email to The Verge.

Pfizer and BioNTech are also running a clinical trial to update their shots against omicron, examining standard booster shots of the original vaccine, a version targeting only omicron, and a bivalent shot like Modernas. At a press briefing in April, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said an omicron shot might be available in the fall.

Novavax, whose vaccine might be approved soon in the US, is working on its own omicron booster. Its clinical trial testing both omicron-targeted shot and a bivalent vaccine started on May 31st. The vaccine, which has been under review by the FDA since January, seems to have less severe side effects than the other vaccines, making it potentially ideal to use as a non-disruptive booster.

But its still unclear if the omicron shots will work much better than the original vaccine against omicron and other variants. In one study on mice, the original vaccine actually worked quite well, at least in the short-term, said Larissa Thackray, an associate professor of infectious disease at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

If omicron-specific vaccines dont have a major benefit over the existing vaccines, they could be a hard sell to be authorized by the FDA. Yet despite the uncertainty, Thackray said she thinks an omicron booster is overdue. A vaccine targeting a current or at least recent variant makes more sense than one targeting a much different virus the original strain of SARS-CoV-2, which doesnt exist anymore.

At some point, omicron might not be circulating anymore either. Its already evolved into several sublineages, and the virus will only keep evolving. Figuring out a way to continuously update the shots is one way to keep on top of it. But other researchers are working on universal vaccines which could theoretically protect against any new form of the virus.

Vaccines like this take advantage of the immune systems ability to respond to the parts of viruses that stay the same as they evolve, said David Martinez, an immunologist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an author of a 2021 study examining a proposed universal coronavirus vaccine.

Martinez and other researchers made their vaccine by combining genetic material from a handful of different coronaviruses. Their goal was to make a shot that could generate an immune response against current and future variants, as well as other coronaviruses that could cause another pandemic. Its still preliminary that particular universal vaccine has only been tested in animals but its a first step toward broad protection.

This kind of vaccine might still work even if the virus substantially changes, said Martinez. But it will be a long time before we know if this is true its likely that this kind of vaccine will take years for scientists to develop, test, and get approved, he said.

Universal vaccines arent the only next-gen products in development. Researchers are also working on vaccines that arent shots at all theyre nasal sprays.

Intranasal vaccines could protect against the virus right where it enters the body, said Iwasaki, the immunobiologist at Yale University School of Medicine.

It makes sense to establish immune defense right at these mucosal sites, she said, referring to the inside of the nose. It can prevent the infection of these tissues altogether. Without infection, people wouldnt transmit the virus, and theyd be protected from long COVID.

There is one intranasal vaccine given now FluMist but it uses a weak version of the live flu virus, which is not safe for immunocompromised people. Iwasaki and her colleagues are working on a strategy to get around that issue: using a nasal spray containing a version of the COVID-19 virus spike protein as a booster after an initial mRNA shot. Because its used as a booster, the spray doesnt need to contain a live virus to trigger a strong enough immune response immunity from the initial shot is enough to drive a strong response to the protein in the spray.

So far, the technique is experimental and only has been tested in mice. But Iwasaki co-founded a company, Xanadu Bio, to make these vaccines, though she says they are still raising money to start clinical trials and working on testing the vaccine in nonhuman primates. And Xanadu is far from the only one looking at nasal spray vaccines. There are more than a dozen clinical trials of intranasal vaccines already in progress in the US and globally.

There are still a lot of challenges ahead before the next set of COVID-19 vaccines are available to the public. Theres still a lot experts dont know about the current vaccines like why they lose their efficacy over time, regardless of new variants, says Deepta Bhattacharya, a professor of immunobiology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. He says it can be hard to know exactly what it is about a vaccine that makes it work well for a long time.

When youre comparing one vaccine to another, theres a lot of things that are different, he said. And so trying to extract which of those differences are really important is almost as much guesswork as it is science.

There are also practical limitations. The FDA meeting next week to discuss vaccinating against COVID-19 variants could have a big impact on the direction that future vaccine development will take. Funding, both for new research and to make shots available to people for free, will also probably be an issue. Unless Congress can agree on more pandemic funding, free future vaccines might be limited to only the most vulnerable people.

Despite everything, Bhattacharya is optimistic about the future of COVID-19 vaccines. Research seems to show that combining and refining the next-generation vaccine techniques like intranasal, vaccine-targeted, and universal vaccines could have great success, he said.

I think the science is there for sure to have better vaccines in the coming years, he said.

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Where's the next generation of COVID-19 shots? - The Verge

Pediatric providers prepare to vaccinate Oregons youngest against COVID-19 - OPB

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Now that the COVID-19 vaccine is authorized for children under five, pediatric providers are preparing for the initial wave of tiny patients to get their first shots.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention signed off on the vaccination for littles 6 months to 4 years old on Saturday.

With the CDC's authorization, 17 million American babies and toddlers are now eligible to receive pediatric doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

Centers For Disease Control And Prevention

Serena Black is a pediatrician and medical director for the PeaceHealth Childrens Service Line at RiverBend Medical Center in Springfield. She said established PeaceHealth Oregon patients will be able to make appointments for designated vaccine days soon. Its important to note that PeaceHealth clinics dont have pediatric doses on hand, yet.

Its still pretty early, Black said. We were able to pre-order though, so were doing everything we can to be prepared as soon as possible for people who are eager to get the vaccine for their children.

PeaceHealth Oregon plans to vaccinate several hundred patients in the first few weeks after vaccine supplies arrive. Vaccination will be ongoing as clinics receive additional orders of vaccines. Black said they have pre-ordered the pediatric Pfizer brand which is a three-dose series and expect the initial batches to arrive perhaps by the end of the week.

Patients of other medical practices are recommended to go through their pediatrician or primary physician to get their children vaccinated against COVID-19.

Pediatric doses are smaller. Two brands have been approved for the new age group. Pfizer is a three-dose series and Moderna is two doses. Safety protocols will be the same as with other age groups, including a post-vaccine observation period while watching for anaphylactic reactions.

Dr. Black, a mother of two young children, said she is thrilled to begin offering vaccines to the youngest in our communities. She said theyve worked on the backend to make sure they have the electronic medical records and staff to run their clinic spaces.

As you can imagine the children in the 6 months to 4-year age range, its really important to give the vaccine in as comfortable an environment as possible, Black said. Often one where the parents can be involved in helping to calm or soothe the child.

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Some parents are wondering why, nearly a year since the first COVID-19 vaccines for adults got federal approval, it took this long to get them for children younger than 5.

Health clinics in Oregon anticipate receiving their first vaccine shipments for the youngest children in the next couple of weeks, according to health officials.

The Oregon Health Authority said the state currently has over 700,000 viable doses which they hope to get to vaccine providers around the state and into people's arms.

Read more:

Pediatric providers prepare to vaccinate Oregons youngest against COVID-19 - Oregon Public Broadcasting

EMA has recommended granting a marketing authorisation for COVID-19 Vaccine (inactivated, adjuvanted) Valneva for use in the primary vaccination of people from 18 to 50 years of age.

COVID-19 Vaccine (inactivated, adjuvanted) Valneva contains inactivated (killed) whole particles of the original strain of SARS-CoV-2 that cannot cause disease. It is the sixth vaccine recommended in the EU for protecting against COVID-19 and, together with the vaccines already authorised, will support vaccination campaigns in EU Member States during the pandemic.

After a thorough evaluation, EMAs human medicines committee (CHMP) concluded by consensus that the data on the vaccine were robust and met the EU criteria for efficacy, safety and quality.

The main study conducted with Valnevas vaccine is an immunobridging trial. Immunobridging trials compare the immune response induced by a new vaccine with that induced by an authorised comparator vaccine proven to be effective against the disease.

Results from the study, which involvednearly 3,000 people aged 30 years and older, showed that the vaccine triggers the production of higher levels of antibodies against the original strain of SARS-CoV-2 than the comparator, Vaxzevria. In addition, the proportion of people who produced a high level of antibodies was similar for both vaccines.

Additional data from this study also showed that the vaccine is as effective at triggering the production of antibodies in people aged between 18 and 29 as it is in people aged 30 years and older.

The CHMP therefore concluded that COVID-19 Vaccine (inactivated, adjuvanted) Valneva is expected to be at least as effective as Vaxzevria at protecting against the disease. Based on the data provided, it was not possible to draw any conclusion on the immunogenicity of Valnevas vaccine (its ability to trigger the production of antibodies) in people above 50 years of age; therefore, the vaccine is currently recommended only for use in people between 18 and 50 years of age.

There are limited data on the immunogenicity of COVID-19 Vaccine (inactivated, adjuvanted) Valneva against variants of concern, including Omicron subvariants which are currently the dominant strains in many EU countries.

The side effects observed with COVID-19 Vaccine (inactivated, adjuvanted) Valneva in studies were usually mild and cleared within a couple of days after vaccination. The most common ones were tenderness or pain at the injection site, tiredness, headache, muscle pain and nausea (feeling sick) or vomiting.

The safety and effectiveness of the vaccine will continue to be monitored as the vaccine is used across the EU, through the EU pharmacovigilance system and additional studies by the company and European authorities.

Based on the available evidence, the CHMP concluded that the benefits of COVID-19 Vaccine (inactivated, adjuvanted) Valneva outweigh its risks and recommended granting a standard marketing authorisation in the EU.

The dossier for the vaccine includes the results from an immunobridging trial. Although efficacy placebo-controlled trials have been the gold standard for authorising COVID-19 vaccines so far, EMA considers that a well-justified and appropriately designed immunobridging study is adequate for authorising future COVID-19 vaccines at this point in the pandemic. This is because there are now a number of COVID-19 vaccines authorised in the EU that are proven to be safe and effective and that can be used as comparators in studies. Additionally, at present, it would be difficult to recruit enough individuals who have not been vaccinated nor previously exposed to the virus to conduct large efficacy clinical trials.

The European Commission will now fast-track the decision-making process to grant a decision on the standard marketing authorisation for COVID-19 Vaccine (inactivated, adjuvanted) Valneva, allowing this vaccine to be included in vaccination programmes rolled out across the EU. A standard marketing authorisation is considered appropriate for this vaccine since the immunobridging study met its objectives and data provided are considered sufficient.

The product information for COVID-19 Vaccine (inactivated, adjuvanted) Valneva contains information for healthcare professionals, a package leaflet for members of the public and details of the vaccines authorisation.

An assessment report with details of EMAs evaluation of COVID-19 Vaccine (inactivated, adjuvanted) Valneva and the full risk management plan will be published shortly. Clinical trial data submitted by the company in the application for marketing authorisation will be published on the Agencys clinical data website in due course.

More information is available in an overview of the vaccine in lay language, including a description of the vaccines benefits and risks and why EMA recommended its authorisation in the EU.

COVID-19 Vaccine (inactivated, adjuvanted) Valneva works by preparing the body to defend itself against COVID-19. The vaccine contains whole particles of the original strain of SARS-CoV-2 that has been inactivated (killed) and cannot cause the disease. It also contains two adjuvants, substances that help strengthen the immune responses to the vaccine.

When a person is given the vaccine, their immune system identifies the inactivated virus as foreign and makes antibodies against it. If, later on, the vaccinated person comes into contact with SARS-CoV-2, the immune system will recognise the virus and be ready to defend the body against it.

COVID-19 Vaccine (inactivated, adjuvanted) Valneva is given as two injections, usually into the muscle of the upper arm, 28 days apart.

In line with the EUs safety monitoring plan for COVID-19 vaccines, COVID-19 Vaccine (inactivated, adjuvanted) Valneva will be closely monitored and subject to several activities that apply specifically to COVID-19 vaccines. Although large numbers of people have received COVID-19 vaccines in clinical trials, certain side effects may only emerge when millions of people are vaccinated.

The company is required to provide monthly safety reports in addition to the regular updates required by legislation. In addition, independent studiesof COVID-19 vaccines coordinated by EU authorities will give more information on the vaccines long-term safety and benefits in the general population.

These measures will allow regulators to swiftly assess data emerging from a range of different sources and take any necessary regulatory action to protect public health.

During the assessment of COVID-19 Vaccine (inactivated, adjuvanted) Valneva, the CHMPhad the support of EMAs safety committee, the PRAC, who assessed therisk management plan of the vaccine, and the COVID-19 EMA pandemic task force (COVID-ETF), a group that brings together experts from across the European medicines regulatory network to facilitate rapid and coordinated regulatory action on medicines and vaccines for COVID-19.

COVID-19 Vaccine (inactivated, adjuvanted) Valneva was evaluated as part of OPEN, an initiative started in December 2020 with the aim of increasing international collaboration in the EU review of COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics. More information can be found on the EMAs governance during COVID-19 pandemic webpage.

More here:

EMA recommends Valneva's COVID-19 vaccine for authorisation in the EU | European Medicines Agency - European Medicines Agency |