a322x1n
2021-10-02 14:44:40 UTC
<https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/us-coronavirus-antiviral-pill-c
ould-be-a-game-changer-but-vaccines-are-still-america-s-way-out-of-the-pa
ndemic-experts-say/ar-AAP3NpO?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531>
<https://tinyurl.com/47rxbtrz>
US coronavirus: Antiviral pill could be a game changer, but vaccines are
still America's way out of the pandemic, experts say. By Aya
Elamroussi, CNN, 4 hrs ago.
A pill that could potentially treat Covid-19 is a "game-changer," but
experts are emphasizing that it's not an alternative to vaccinations --
which remain the most effective path to ending the coronavirus pandemic
if enough people get their shots.
Yet, the average number of people getting vaccinated -- at 270,531 -- is
the lowest it's been since August 15, according to Friday's data from
the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A little over 65% of
the eligible population is fully vaccinated, the data shows.
At the same time, the US hit a grim milestone Friday by surpassing
700,000 deaths from Covid-19, according to Johns Hopkins University's
data. The US tops the world for Covid-19 deaths, followed by Brazil with
nearly 600,000 fatalities, according to the data.
The news from Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics on Friday that they
created an antiviral pill that can reduce Covid-19 hospitalization and
death by 50% was hailed by health experts, although they cautioned it
wasn't a replacement for vaccinations.
"This can be used in conjunction with the vaccine. And it's not an
alternative to vaccination. We still have to try to get more people
vaccinated," Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former commissioner of the US Food and
Drug Administration, told CNN on Friday.
Gottlieb acknowledged that the antiviral medicine could be effective for
those who choose not to get vaccinated as well as those who catch the
virus while fully vaccinated.
"This is the most impactful result that I remember seeing of an orally
available drug in the treatment of a respiratory pathogen, perhaps
ever," Gottlieb told CNN's Anderson Cooper. "I think getting an oral
pill that can inhibit viral replication -- that can inhibit this virus
-- is going to be a real game-changer."
Merck said Friday it will seek FDA emergency use authorization for its
molnupiravir medication "as soon as possible." If permitted, it would
become the first oral medicine that fights viral infection for Covid-19.
"If approved, I think the right way to think about this is this is a
potential additional tool in our toolbox to protect people from the
worst outcomes of Covid," White House Covid-19 Response Coordinator Jeff
Zients said Friday.
Zients echoed Gottlieb's stance on vaccination, underscoring inoculation
remains "far and away our best tool against Covid-19" because the shots
can prevent people from getting infected in the first place.
"And we want to prevent infections, not just wait to treat them once
they happen," Zients said.
Meanwhile, Louisiana reported Friday that a child at or under the age of
four died from Covid-19. It was the state's 17th pediatric death from
the virus.
"We owe it to ourselves, our children and everyone around us to take
advantage of the best protection we have, and that is the vaccine and
wearing a mask," Louisiana State Health Officer Dr. Joseph Kanter said.
The Delta variant of the coronavirus has made child infections much more
common than during the onset of the pandemic.
More booster talks to come
Americans who received the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines can
expect to hear next steps for booster shots this month.
The FDA will meet with its Vaccines and Related Biological Products
Advisory Committee on October 14 and 15 to discuss those boosters for
those vaccines, which have only been authorized for emergency use in
those 18 and older. The committee will also consider data on "mix and
match" use of boosters, the agency said Friday.
Only Pfizer's Covid-19 two-dose vaccine has been fully approved by the
FDA for people 12 and older. Pfizer's booster shot is authorized for
emergency use in people 65 and older, people at high risk of severe
disease and people whose jobs put them at risk of infection.
More than 4.03 million people have received an additional dose of
Covid-19 vaccine -- or booster -- since August 13.
The FDA vaccine committee is also slated to discuss Pfizer's Covid-19
vaccine for children ages 5 to 11 on October 26. Pfizer has started
submitting data about this age group to the agency but has not yet
formally requested emergency use authorization.
The committee of independent advisers typically discusses and makes
recommendations to the FDA on vaccine authorizations and approvals.
Then, the agency makes the final decision.
Vaccine mandates continue coming into play
As federal health officials consider booster shots, vaccine mandates are
being implemented more widely -- and some are not happy with the move.
On Friday, American Airlines told its US workers that they must follow
the Biden administration's requirement to be vaccinated against
Covid-19. The airline noted that its business with the federal
government means it will be covered under the mandate but fell short of
saying when the requirement takes effect.
Religious and disability-related exemptions will be available, but there
will be no "provision of a regular testing alternative," the airline
said.
"While we are still working through the details of the federal
requirements, it is clear that team members who choose to remain
unvaccinated will not be able to work at American Airlines," according
to a memo CNN obtained from the airline management sent to employees.
Meanwhile, Ochsner Health in Louisiana said it will charge employees
enrolled in their upcoming 2022 health care benefits a fee for spouses
and domestic partners who are not vaccinated against Covid-19.
"This is not a mandate as non-employed spouses and domestic partners can
choose to select a health plan outside of Ochsner Health offerings. As
with our employee vaccination policy, spouses and domestic partners with
medical and religious objections will be able to file exemption
requests," Ochsner Health President and CEO Warner Thomas said in a
statement this week.
ould-be-a-game-changer-but-vaccines-are-still-america-s-way-out-of-the-pa
ndemic-experts-say/ar-AAP3NpO?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531>
<https://tinyurl.com/47rxbtrz>
US coronavirus: Antiviral pill could be a game changer, but vaccines are
still America's way out of the pandemic, experts say. By Aya
Elamroussi, CNN, 4 hrs ago.
A pill that could potentially treat Covid-19 is a "game-changer," but
experts are emphasizing that it's not an alternative to vaccinations --
which remain the most effective path to ending the coronavirus pandemic
if enough people get their shots.
Yet, the average number of people getting vaccinated -- at 270,531 -- is
the lowest it's been since August 15, according to Friday's data from
the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A little over 65% of
the eligible population is fully vaccinated, the data shows.
At the same time, the US hit a grim milestone Friday by surpassing
700,000 deaths from Covid-19, according to Johns Hopkins University's
data. The US tops the world for Covid-19 deaths, followed by Brazil with
nearly 600,000 fatalities, according to the data.
The news from Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics on Friday that they
created an antiviral pill that can reduce Covid-19 hospitalization and
death by 50% was hailed by health experts, although they cautioned it
wasn't a replacement for vaccinations.
"This can be used in conjunction with the vaccine. And it's not an
alternative to vaccination. We still have to try to get more people
vaccinated," Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former commissioner of the US Food and
Drug Administration, told CNN on Friday.
Gottlieb acknowledged that the antiviral medicine could be effective for
those who choose not to get vaccinated as well as those who catch the
virus while fully vaccinated.
"This is the most impactful result that I remember seeing of an orally
available drug in the treatment of a respiratory pathogen, perhaps
ever," Gottlieb told CNN's Anderson Cooper. "I think getting an oral
pill that can inhibit viral replication -- that can inhibit this virus
-- is going to be a real game-changer."
Merck said Friday it will seek FDA emergency use authorization for its
molnupiravir medication "as soon as possible." If permitted, it would
become the first oral medicine that fights viral infection for Covid-19.
"If approved, I think the right way to think about this is this is a
potential additional tool in our toolbox to protect people from the
worst outcomes of Covid," White House Covid-19 Response Coordinator Jeff
Zients said Friday.
Zients echoed Gottlieb's stance on vaccination, underscoring inoculation
remains "far and away our best tool against Covid-19" because the shots
can prevent people from getting infected in the first place.
"And we want to prevent infections, not just wait to treat them once
they happen," Zients said.
Meanwhile, Louisiana reported Friday that a child at or under the age of
four died from Covid-19. It was the state's 17th pediatric death from
the virus.
"We owe it to ourselves, our children and everyone around us to take
advantage of the best protection we have, and that is the vaccine and
wearing a mask," Louisiana State Health Officer Dr. Joseph Kanter said.
The Delta variant of the coronavirus has made child infections much more
common than during the onset of the pandemic.
More booster talks to come
Americans who received the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines can
expect to hear next steps for booster shots this month.
The FDA will meet with its Vaccines and Related Biological Products
Advisory Committee on October 14 and 15 to discuss those boosters for
those vaccines, which have only been authorized for emergency use in
those 18 and older. The committee will also consider data on "mix and
match" use of boosters, the agency said Friday.
Only Pfizer's Covid-19 two-dose vaccine has been fully approved by the
FDA for people 12 and older. Pfizer's booster shot is authorized for
emergency use in people 65 and older, people at high risk of severe
disease and people whose jobs put them at risk of infection.
More than 4.03 million people have received an additional dose of
Covid-19 vaccine -- or booster -- since August 13.
The FDA vaccine committee is also slated to discuss Pfizer's Covid-19
vaccine for children ages 5 to 11 on October 26. Pfizer has started
submitting data about this age group to the agency but has not yet
formally requested emergency use authorization.
The committee of independent advisers typically discusses and makes
recommendations to the FDA on vaccine authorizations and approvals.
Then, the agency makes the final decision.
Vaccine mandates continue coming into play
As federal health officials consider booster shots, vaccine mandates are
being implemented more widely -- and some are not happy with the move.
On Friday, American Airlines told its US workers that they must follow
the Biden administration's requirement to be vaccinated against
Covid-19. The airline noted that its business with the federal
government means it will be covered under the mandate but fell short of
saying when the requirement takes effect.
Religious and disability-related exemptions will be available, but there
will be no "provision of a regular testing alternative," the airline
said.
"While we are still working through the details of the federal
requirements, it is clear that team members who choose to remain
unvaccinated will not be able to work at American Airlines," according
to a memo CNN obtained from the airline management sent to employees.
Meanwhile, Ochsner Health in Louisiana said it will charge employees
enrolled in their upcoming 2022 health care benefits a fee for spouses
and domestic partners who are not vaccinated against Covid-19.
"This is not a mandate as non-employed spouses and domestic partners can
choose to select a health plan outside of Ochsner Health offerings. As
with our employee vaccination policy, spouses and domestic partners with
medical and religious objections will be able to file exemption
requests," Ochsner Health President and CEO Warner Thomas said in a
statement this week.