COVID-19 vaccine and treatment news.
As COVID-19 rightly continues to dominate the news, a lot of talk has focused on what vaccinations are approved and what treatments are available for those infected with the virus. To help report the most accurate information, we’re here to share developments from dependable resources. Read on to find out more.
Which vaccinations are currently available? And who can receive them?
In December 2020, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for both the Pfizer-BioNTech and the Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, which have each shown about 95% effectiveness in preventing COVID-19 in adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the vaccinations require two doses – with 21 days between the first and second doses for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and 28 days between the Moderna vaccine doses. During this time frame, and even afterward, the CDC urges individuals to continue adhering to safe practices of wearing a mask, staying at least six feet away from others, frequently washing hands, and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces.
The CDC has made recommendations for who should be vaccinated first, proposing to begin with frontline workers and long-term care facility residents. However, it’s ultimately up to federal, state, and local governments to roll out a plan. To get a better idea of the distribution, check out this state-by-state vaccine tracker from National Public Radio (NPR). You can also contact your local health department to find out the status of the vaccination rollout in your area.
Is there a treatment?
Back in October 2020, the FDA approved one drug, remdesivir, to treat adult and pediatric patients ages 12 and older who required hospitalization. After approving this drug, FDA Commissioner Stephen M. Hahn, MD, commented, “As part of the FDA’s Coronavirus Treatment Acceleration Program [CTAP], the agency will continue to help move new medical products to patients as soon as possible, while at the same time determining whether they are effective and if their benefits outweigh their risks.” According to CTAP, there are over 590 drug development programs in planning stages and more than 400 trials that have been reviewed by the FDA.
Praxis is part of the fight.
We’re proud to have joined with sponsors tackling this global pandemic. We have worked with Moderna on recruiting patients for a number of their trials for the COVID-19 vaccine, and we have also collaborated with Eli Lilly and Company in recruiting trial participants for their treatment in development.
To learn more about Praxis, or to find out how we can support your upcoming clinical trial, feel free to reach out.
