Coronavirus Breaking News

Jul 19, 2021 • 1:01 pm CDT

UK Advises Certain Young People Receive COVID-19 Vaccination

Following a request from the UK's Department of Health and Social Care for advice on a possible extension of the COVID-19 vaccination program, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) confirmed it had reviewed the available evidence around vaccinating young people under the age of 18.

From July 19, 2021, the JCVI advises that children at increased risk of serious COVID-19 disease are offered the Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty) vaccine.

This includes children aged 12 to 15 with severe neurodisabilities, Down’s syndrome, immunosuppression, and multiple or severe learning disabilities.

The JCVI also recommends that children and young people aged 12 to 17 who live with an immunosuppressed person should be offered the vaccine. This is to indirectly protect their immunosuppressed household contacts, who are at higher risk of serious disease from COVID-19 and may not generate a full immune response to vaccination.

Under existing JCVI advice, young people aged 16 to 17 with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious COVID-19 should have already been offered COVID-19 vaccination.

However, the JCVI is not currently advising routine vaccination of children outside these groups, based on the current evidence.

Evidence shows that COVID-19 rarely causes severe disease in children without underlying health conditions. Therefore, JCVI’s current view is that the minimal health benefits of offering universal COVID-19 vaccination to children do not outweigh the potential risks.

COVID-19 symptoms, when seen, are typically mild. Fewer than 30 children have died because of COVID-19 in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic as of March 2021, stated the Public Health England press release.

The JCVI is an independent expert advisory committee that advises United Kingdom health departments on immunization policy.

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Jul 19, 2021 • 11:21 am CDT

Argentina Finds This COVID-19 Vaccine Very Effective

TASS reported on July 17, 2021, research conducted by Argentina’s National Scientific and Technological Research Council found Sputnik V vaccine induces long-term immunity in more than 90% of vaccinated people.

"A considerable T-lymphocyte response shows that protection will remain for a long time. There remain memory lymphocytes that record the coronavirus and remember it," Buenos Aires Province Health Minister Daniel Gollan stated to local media. "When they reencounter the coronavirus, they will quickly produce antibodies and 'killer cells' that will kill the virus."

Previously, the journal Cell Reports Medicine published a study on July 9, 2021: Sputnik V Vaccine Elicits Seroconversion and Neutralizing Capacity to SARS CoV-2 after a Single Dose.

These researchers evaluated SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody responses after Sputnik V vaccination of healthcare workers in Argentina, measuring IgG anti-spike titers and neutralizing capacity after one and two doses in a cohort of naïve or previously infected volunteers.

By 21 days after receiving the first dose of vaccine, 94% of naïve participants develop spike-specific IgG antibodies.

Furthermore, a single Sputnik V (Light) dose elicits higher antibody levels and virus-neutralizing capacity in previously infected individuals than in naïve ones receiving the full two-dose schedule.

After a single dose in naïve participants, the high seroconversion rate suggests a benefit of delaying second dose administration to increase the number of people vaccinated. The data presented provide information for guiding public health decisions in light of the current global health emergency, stated these researchers.

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Jul 19, 2021 • 7:57 am CDT

Breast Milk May Not Contain COVID-19 Vaccine Traces

A recent study published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics analyzed the breast milk of seven women after receiving mRNA vaccines and found no trace of the vaccine, offers the first direct data of vaccine safety during breastfeeding, stated a UC San Francisco press release.

These researchers found that none of the samples showed detectable levels of vaccine mRNA in any component of the milk.

This limited study's finding could allay concerns among those who have declined COVID-19 vaccination or discontinued breastfeeding.

Research has demonstrated that vaccines with mRNA inhibit transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19. The study analyzed the Pfizer - BioNTech (Comirnaty) and Moderna (SpikeVax) vaccines, both containing mRNA.

“The results strengthen current recommendations that the mRNA vaccines are safe in lactation, and that lactating individuals who receive the COVID vaccine should not stop breastfeeding,” said corresponding author Stephanie L. Gaw, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at UCSF, in a press statement issued on July 16, 2021.

The study was conducted from December 2020 to February 2021. The mothers’ mean age was 37.8 years, and their children ranging in age from one month to three years. Milk samples were collected before vaccination and at various times up to 48 hours after vaccination.

The study was supported by the Marino Family Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and others.

UCSF Health has affiliations with hospitals and health organizations throughout the Bay Area in California.

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Jul 19, 2021 • 6:22 am CDT

South African Football Team Confirms COVID-19 Infections at Olympics 2020

The South African Football Association (SAFB) confirmed on July 18, 2021, three members from Team SA’s men’s under-23 football team and one coach have produced positive tests for COVID-19 and are in isolation in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics isolation facility.

The rest of the team has already tested negative twice and is following all the recommendations of the local health authorities closely.

Team SA officials and management have followed all relevant Olympic 2020 rules, protocols, and procedures throughout the pre-Games and Games arrival routines.

The SAFA members had been tested on arrival, daily at the Olympic Village. They complied with all the mandatory measures implemented to ensure the safety of the Games participants and the people of Japan, including keeping physical distance and wearing masks at all times.

“Every member of Team South Africa required full medical clearance as an eligibility criterion. In addition, they were encouraged to isolate for two weeks pre-departure, monitor health daily, report any symptoms, and produce two negative nasopharyngeal PCR tests taken within 96 hours of departure, as per Tokyo 2020 requirements,” explained Team SA’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Phatho Zondi, in a press statement.

“The timing of the positive results suggests that the PCR test in these individuals was done during the incubation period of the infection, which is how they could be negative in South Africa and then positive in Japan."

"They are now in isolation where they will continue to be monitored and will not be allowed to train or have any physical contact with the rest of the squad,” Dr. Zondi added.

Note: BBC Sports reported on July 19, 2021, the total number of positive COVID-19 cases related to the Olympics has reached 62.

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Jul 16, 2021 • 11:26 am CDT

U.S. Confirms Increased COVID-19 Cases and Related Fatalities

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported today the current 7-day moving average of daily new cases (26,306) in the USA increased 69.3% compared with the previous 7-day moving average (15,541).

Furthermore, the current 7-day moving average of new deaths (211) has increased 26.3% compared with the previous 7-day moving average (167).

And the COVID Data Tracker Vaccination Demographic Trends tab shows vaccination trends. Since the U.S. COVID-19 Vaccination Program began on December 14, 2020, about 336 million vaccine doses have been administered. The CDC's data indicates 79.3% of seniors (65+) are fully vaccinated against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

Moreover, a recent CDC report found that COVID-19 vaccination coverage was lower in rural counties than urban counties. As a result, efforts are underway to raise awareness about COVID-19 vaccines and make vaccines more accessible to residents of rural communities, stated the CDC.

As of July 16, 2021, the U.S. FDA has Authorized three experimental COVID-19 vaccines for use in the USA.

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Jul 16, 2021 • 4:18 am CDT

Europe Confirms Increasing Rate of COVID-19 Cases

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported today there had been a 64.3% increase of weekly COVID-19 cases compared to last week, as of data reviewed by July 15, 2021.

At this stage in the COVID-19 pandemic, the reported hospital occupancy rate for the European Union and European Economic Area (EU/EEA) overall remains stable.

Based on data reported by 24 countries, the rate was 4.2 per 100 000, compared to 5.0 in week #26.

By the end of week #27, 63.4% of people aged 18 years and older in the EU/EEA had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 48.1% had been fully vaccinated. This ECDC data compares with the USA, where the U.S. CDC reports about 48.3% of the population had been vaccinated.

As of July 16, 2021, there are over eighteen COVID-19 vaccines available worldwide.

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Jul 15, 2021 • 8:50 pm CDT

Royal Navy Confronts COVID-19

The BBC reported on July 14, 2021, a COVID-19 outbreak has been confirmed on the Royal Navy's largest and most powerful flagship, HMS Queen Elizabeth. The BBC reported there had been around 100 cases on the aircraft carrier.

A spokeswoman said, "As part of routine testing, crew from the Carrier Strike Group have tested positive for Covid-19."

UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace commented, 'all crew on the deployment had received two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine, and the outbreak was being managed,' reported the BBC.

On July 15, 2021, news media reported a second British ship's crew had contracted COVID-19. About eight crew members on the Prince of Wales tested positive after going ashore in Gibraltar, Sky News understands. "The good news is no one has so far had in any way even been referred to sickbay," Mr. Wallace said, according to Sky News.

Previously, on July 13, 2021, the HMS Queen Elizabeth – leading the Royal Navy’s Carrier Strike Group – linked up with the USS Ronald Reagan carrier strike group and USS Iwo Jima amphibious ready group. The two-day exercise saw the three navy task groups, comprising US, UK, and Dutch ships, test their abilities, reported the Royal Navy's website.

As of June 25, 2021, the UK military reported 261,770 Defence personnel had a COVID-19 test administered as part of the national testing program. Of these, 9,502 UK armed forces personnel had positive results for COVID-19.

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Medical Review by

Robert Carlson, MD

Jul 15, 2021 • 6:44 pm CDT

COVID-19 Disrupted Childhood Vaccination Programs

According to data published today by WHO and UNICEF, a majority of countries last year experienced drops in childhood vaccination rates. As a result, about 23 million children missed routine immunization services in 2020.

Concerningly, most of these – up to 17 million children – likely did not receive a single vaccine during 2020, widening already immense inequities in vaccine access, says the WHO.

“Even as countries clamor to get their hands on COVID-19 vaccines, we have gone backward on other vaccinations, leaving children at risk from devastating but preventable diseases like measles, polio, or meningitis,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, in a press statement issued on July 15, 2021.

“Multiple disease outbreaks would be catastrophic for communities and health systems already battling COVID-19, making it more urgent than ever to invest in childhood vaccination and ensure every child is reached.”

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, global childhood vaccination rates against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, and polio had stalled for several years at around 86%. This rate is well below the 95% recommended by WHO to protect against measles –often the first disease to resurge when children are not reached with vaccines - and insufficient to stop other vaccine-preventable diseases.

The WHO says 'concerns are not just for outbreak-prone diseases. Already at low rates, vaccinations against human papillomavirus (HPV) - which protect girls and boys from cancer later in life - have been highly affected by school closures.

As a result, across countries that have introduced an HPV vaccine, approximately 1.6 million more girls missed out in 2020. Globally only 13% of girls were vaccinated against HPV, falling from 15% in 2019.

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Jul 15, 2021 • 1:26 pm CDT

Tennessee Discontinues Outreach Programs for Children COVID-19 Vaccinations

Tennessee local media reported on July 15, 2021, 'The Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) will halt COVID-19 adolescent vaccine outreach.' An internal memo seen by Mainstreet-Nashville had been sent outlining how children can legally receive the COVID-19 vaccine without parental consent.

Internal documents show that the health department will stop holding COVID-19 vaccine events at schools and facilities that primarily serve children and stop sending postcards to youth reminding them to get a second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine the Tennessean first reported on July 13, 2021.

However, TDH spokesman Bill Christian says that the department has “in no way halted the immunizations for children program.”

“TDH understands the importance of childhood immunizations, the impacts to overall health for Tennesseans, and we continue to support those outreach efforts,” Christian said. “Providing information and access are routine public health functions, and that has not changed.”

The Vaccines for Children program, established by the U.S. Congress in 1993, provides information to parents regarding common childhood immunizations and provides free vaccines to children who would otherwise not have access. More than 600 physicians and health clinics in Tennessee participate in the program.

The U.S. CDC buys vaccines at a discount and distributes them to grantees—i.e., state health departments and certain local and territorial public health agencies—which in turn distribute them at no charge to those private physicians’ offices and public health clinics registered as VFC providers.

Tennessee’s childhood vaccination rates are at or above the national average for common vaccines, including DTaP, MMR, Varicella, HPV, and the flu shot, according to TDH data published in 2018.

Note: as of July 14, 2021, TDH reported over 5.4 million people in Tennessee had received a COVID-19 vaccination, representing about 42% of the state's population. COVID-19 Vaccines are now widely available to Tennesseans 12+ in all 95 counties across our state.

Check COVID-19 vaccine appointment availability by browsing all vaccine providers and find a location close to you at VaccineFinder.org.

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Jul 14, 2021 • 3:45 pm CDT

The Americas Reports 40% of COVID-19 Fatalities

New COVID-19 cases increased in Central America, the Caribbean, and some South American countries last week, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director Carissa F. Etienne reported in a press statement issued today.

In total, the Americas has reported nearly 74 million COVID-19 cases and 1.9 million deaths – more than a third of COVID cases and more than 40% of deaths reported globally.

“Cases arise when complacency sets in,” she warned during a press briefing.

“We are all tired, but after experiencing successive peaks of infections in the same locations, we must break this cycle by embracing public health measures early and consistently.”

Cases are increasing in Central American countries, including El Salvador and Guatemala, where COVID deaths have also surged. In addition, new infections are spiking in the Caribbean, where Cuba has reported the highest number of weekly cases since the start of the pandemic. In the British Virgin Islands, cases have tripled in the weeks after reopening to cruise ships. And in Mexico and the United States, infections are rising.

But creating a “mixed picture” of the virus’s trajectory, new COVID-19 infections declined overall by nearly 20% in the Americas last week as the pandemic eased in much of South America. “COVID infections, hospitalizations, and deaths are dropping across most of the continent, including in Brazil, Peru, Uruguay, and Chile,” Dr. Etienne commented.

She added, however, that cases are rising in Argentina and reaching their highest levels in Colombia, “raising concerns about the health system’s ability to cope as 98% of ICU beds are already in use.”

“When variants of concern circulate,” she continued, “it’s even more important that countries step up surveillance, especially while vaccine coverage remains low.”

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Jul 14, 2021 • 2:32 pm CDT

U.S. CDC Vaccine Committee Meeting Agenda Posted for July 22nd

The U.S. CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) announced the agenda for a digital meeting scheduled for July 22, 2021, from 11 am to 4 pm ET. The agenda for this ACIP meeting focuses on two items, which are:

Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) after Janssen COVID-19 vaccine,
Clinical considerations for additional doses in immunocompromised individuals

Registration is not required to watch the live, no-cost meeting webcast.

The ACIP provides advice and guidance to Dr. Rochelle Paula Walensky, the Director of the CDC, regarding the use of vaccines and related agents to control vaccine-preventable diseases in the civilian population of the USA. The CDC Director reviews recommendations made by the ACIP and, if adopted, are published as official CDC/HHS recommendations in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

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Jul 13, 2021 • 7:25 pm CDT

Serum Institute of India to Produce 300 Million Sputnik V Vaccines

Serum Institute of India (SII), the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer by volume, and the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) announced cooperation to produce the Sputnik V vaccine in India.

With their import approved by the Drug Controller General of India, the vaccine cultivation process has begun. The first batch of Sputnik vaccines is expected to be produced at SII’s facilities in September 2021. The parties intend to produce over 300 million doses of the vaccine in India per year.

The RDIF previously reached agreements with a number of pharmaceutical companies in India (Gland Pharma, Hetero Biopharma, Panacea Biotec, Stelis Biopharma, Virchow Biotech, and Morepen) for the production of Sputnik.

Adar Poonawalla, CEO of SII, commented in a press statement, “I am delighted to partner with RDIF to manufacture the Sputnik vaccine. We hope to make millions of doses in the coming months with trial batches starting in the month of September."

"With high efficacy and a good safety profile, it is critical that the Sputnik vaccine is accessible in full measure for people across India and the world."

"Given the uncertainty of the virus, it is important for international institutes, and governments to collaborate and further bolster up our fight against the pandemic.”

To date, the Sputnik V vaccine has been registered in 67 countries. The effectiveness data obtained by regulators from countries including Argentina, Serbia, Bahrain, Hungary, Mexico, San Marino, UAE, and others, demonstrates that Sputnik V is one of the safest and most effective vaccines against coronavirus.

The Sputnik Light vaccine is the first component (recombinant human adenovirus 26 serotype) of the Sputnik V vaccine.

The RDIF is Russia's sovereign wealth fund established in 2011 to make equity co-investments, primarily in Russia, alongside reputable international financial and strategic investors.

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Jul 12, 2021 • 12:33 pm CDT

Sputnik V Vaccine Found Effective Against Coronavirus Variants

The Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology and the Russian Direct Investment Fund announced today the study results on neutralizing sera activity from individuals vaccinated with the Sputnik V vaccine against new variants of SARS-CoV-2 betacoronavirus.

This study published by the journal Vaccines on July 12, 2021, found vaccination with Sputnik V produced protective neutralizing titers against new variants, including Alpha B.1.1.7 (UK), Beta B.1.351 (South Africa), Gamma P.1 (Brazil), Delta B.1.617.2 and B.1.617.3 (India) and Moscow endemic variants B.1.1.141 and B.1.1.317 with mutations in the receptor-binding domain (RBD).

The study compared neutralizing activity of Sputnik V induced sera to the internationally relevant variants with the neutralizing activity to the ancestral B.1.1.1 variant. The sera were obtained from individuals after vaccination with 2 doses of Sputnik V.

The data confirms that the Sputnik V vaccine remains protective against newly detected variants.

Furthermore, Sputnik V demonstrated significantly less of a reduction in its virus-neutralizing activity against several variants compared to data from other vaccine producers, which had earlier confirmed the efficacy of their vaccines against new variants of coronavirus.

The Gamaleya Center is actively studying emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2 to access VNA, and the efficacy of Sputnik V against new strains as the virus is still evolving in various parts of the world. The Gamaleya Center and RDIF are also studying new opportunities to develop vaccine cocktails jointly with other leading COVID vaccine producers using the first component of Sputnik V.

Note: Virus neutralizing activity assay is not directly related to the effectiveness of a vaccine.

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Jul 12, 2021 • 6:11 am CDT

COVAX to Buy 380 Million Doses of CoronaVac Vaccine

SINOVAC Biotech Ltd. announced today that it had signed an advance purchase agreement with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, on behalf of COVAX Facility, to provide up to 380 million doses of inactivated COVID-19 vaccine, CoronaVac for distribution through the COVAX Facility.

Mr. Weidong Yin, Chairman, President, and CEO of SINOVAC, said in a press statement issued on July 12, 2021, “Our mission at Sinovac is to supply vaccines to eliminate human disease. We appreciate the efforts from international organizations, including WHO and COVAX partners, to accelerate the efforts of disease prevention."

"Sinovac has delivered over one billion doses globally as of the end of June 2021 with the aim of contributing to the accessibility and affordability of Covid-19 vaccines during this pandemic. Further, safety and regular transportation and storage condition of inactivated vaccine supports easy access to the vaccine in every corner on the globe.”

The WHO's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) had systematically reviewed and evaluated evidence of vaccine safety and effect of Sinovac’s CoronaVac vaccine, recommending two doses of CoronaVac® for adults aged 18 and above. Following the review by SAGE, the WHO announced its intention to authorize Sinovac’s CoronaVac for Emergency Use on June 1, 2021.

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