Pfizer is conducting phase 2 trials for the development of a vaccine that will target pregnant women to prevent newborns from infection with Group B Streptococcal (GBS). The vaccine was granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in September and the agency has indicated it will fast track the product’s […]
In a Dec. 6, 2022 proposed compromise version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year (FY) 2023 , the U.S. House of Representatives authorized $857.9 billion in spending for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and included a provision repealing a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all military personnel instituted by the Biden […]
Twenty leaders of countries considered to be the world’s largest economies gathered at a meeting in Bali, Indonesia on Nov. 14-15, 2022 to discuss ways to “Recover Together, Recover Stronger” from widespread economic devastation caused by the global public health community response to the COVID pandemic.1 The G20 leaders, which included the President of the […]
In 1777, George Washington led the first mandatory military vaccination program when he directed soldiers of the Continental Army to be inoculated against smallpox. Soldiers had the option of voluntarily exposing themselves to the smallpox pustules either by scratching their arms or inhaling it through their noses.1 The story of George Washington being the first […]
“I would like to let you know that I have tested positive for #COVID19. I am thankful to have received four doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, and I am feeling well while experiencing very mild symptoms. I am isolating and have started a course of Paxlovid.” These were the words of Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla […]
Opinion | America’s Frontline Doctors’ founder Simone Gold was sentenced to serve 60 days in prison and ordered to pay a $9,500 fine for her involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021 event. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper in Washington, DC also sentenced Dr. Simone Gold to 12 months of supervised release after her 60-day prison term […]
Robert M. Califf, MD was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to be commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by a vote of 50-46 on Feb. 15, 2022. Dr. Califf’s financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry was cited by some Senators as a reason they could not support his appointment. Similar concerns were expressed […]
In early September 2021, Rick Pollack, the CEO of the American Hospital Association (AHA) said that the association supports COVID-19 vaccine mandates and has been trying to increase vaccination rates in hospitals and health systems. He added, “As a practical matter, this policy may result in exacerbating the severe workforce shortage problems that currently exist.”1 […]
On Aug. 2, 2021, Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina became the first fully vaccinated (for COVID-19) U.S. Senator to disclose he had tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Sen. Graham said he had begun to experience “flu-like symptoms” two days earlier and eventually decided go to the doctor and get tested.1 Despite becoming another […]
Story Highlights Most countries that have supply contracts with AstraZeneca have granted the drug company liability protection for their COVID-19 vaccine. In the U.S., vaccine manufacturers and administrators are shielded from liability under the PREP Act of 2005 for a vaccine or drug that is developed in response to a declared public health emergency, including […]