COVID-19

Although COVID-19 tests fell by 10% during the past week, positive cases fell by a significant 12%, resulting in the ninth consecutive week of a declining national positivity rate.

A follow-up poll from the University of Michigan (U-M) found that 71% of people in their 50s, 60s, and 70s are now ready to get vaccinated against COVID-19 when a dose becomes available to them.

The Medicare payment amount for administering the COVID-19 vaccine is increasing, according to a statement from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

There have been 15 events of deep vein thrombosis and 22 events of pulmonary embolism reported across the European Union and United Kingdom.

The investigators observed a near normal age distribution among patients with long-term COVID-19 symptoms, including children.

Danielle DiBari, the chief pharmacy officer and senior vice president of business operations for NYC Health + Hospitals, discusses some of the challenges involved in coordinating vaccine distribution across New York’s public health system.

An ongoing phase 2 clinical study has begun to vaccinate patients with a modified version of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine.

A recent survey showed that there is a significant preference among Americans to receive COVID-19 vaccines from a trusted health care provider, such as a pharmacist or physician.

Chad Landmon, JD, chair of intellectual property and FDA practice groups at Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider, discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the FDA’s approval process.

The potential for some people to skip the second COVID-19 vaccine dose may make more doses available to others.

Study respondents cited a distrust of the US government’s motives and transparency regarding COVID-19 and systemic racism in health care as the motivation for their distrust of the vaccines.

Pharmacists must first build trust with their communities in order to address vaccine hesitancy, according to Sally Arif, PharmD, BCPS.

In a recent statement, Walgreens announced that it has administered approximately 5 million COVID-19 vaccinations at long-term care facilities, in its stores, and through its vaccination clinics.

Pharmacy Times® interviewed Chad Landmon, JD, chair of intellectual property and FDA practice groups at Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider, on how to approach discussing the FDA’s expedited EUA process for COVID-19 vaccines with patients with concerns about the process.

The FDA has issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for a COVID-19 diagnostic test that can confirm recent or prior COVID-19 infection.

Pharmacy Times® interviewed Chad Landmon, JD, chair of intellectual property and FDA practice groups at Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider, on the FDA’s EUA process for COVID-19 vaccines.

The guidance said relaxing certain measures for vaccinated individuals may help improve COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and uptake.

The investigators urged continued safety measures, such as social distancing and school closures, in order to prevent more COVID-19 variant-related deaths and hospitalizations.

In a recent interview with Pharmacy Times, Council Powell, PharmD, region director with CVS, said pharmacists and technicians are hard at work administering COVID-19 vaccines around the country.

Pharmacy Times® interviewed Farah Towfic, PharmD, MBA, the director and CEO of operations at US Pharmacopeia, on the FDA’s approval of the Pfizer and BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine’s updated cold storage requirements.

The first vaccine dose alone offered strong protection against COVID-19, with efficacy that did not decline over the 3 months between doses.

ACIP issued an interim recommendation to the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine for use in individuals aged ≥18 years for the prevention of COVID-19.

President Joseph Biden announced a partnership between Merck and Johnson & Johnson, in which 2 of Merck’s facilities will begin producing the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, patients hospitalized with the disease have had more to face than just the fight against COVID-19, as co-infection with drug-resistant pathogens has been shown to also contribute to rates of mortality and readmission.

Amesh Adalja, MD, FIDSA, FACP, FACEP, discussed the distribution prospects for the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine in light of it being possible to store it at standard refrigeration temperatures for up to 3 months.

A recent study found that a combination of robust vaccination programs and strict physical distancing rules may be effective in the prevention of future COVID-19 infection surges.

Although there have been many challenges and concerns during the pandemic, experts said there are also lessons to be learned and implemented once the pandemic is over.

The CDC recommends that patients with cancer and COVID-19 have a conversation with their health care provider or care team to discuss the individual level of risk based on the patient’s current condition, treatment, and the level of transmission within their community.

APhA commended President Biden’s signing of the executive order in a press release, noting that adequate drug supply would be critical to ensuring pharmacists’ ability to provide care to patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Amesh Adalja, MD, FIDSA, FACP, FACEP, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, discusses how Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine provides effective support in prevention of severe disease and hospitalization.