FDA issues emergency use authorization for Moderna s Covid-19 vaccine
From CNN s Ben Tinker and Arman Azad
In this July 27, 2020, file photo, a nurse prepares a shot as a study of a possible Covid-19 vaccine, developed by the National Institutes of Health and Moderna Inc., in Binghamton, New York. Hans Pennink/AP
The US Food and Drug Administration has authorized Moderna s Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use in the United States.
The FDA made its announcement on Twitter Friday night, following the recommendation of its Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee on Thursday.
“The emergency use authorization allows the vaccine to be distributed in the U.S for use in individuals 18 years and older,” the FDA tweeted. The FDA has determined that the #COVID19 vaccine has met the statutory criteria for issuance of an EUA. The totality of the available data provides clear evidence it may be effective in preventing #COVID19.
LANSING, Mich. Michigan has lifted a ban on in-person instruction at high schools and says movie theaters and other entertainment venues can reopen with capacity restrictions following a decline in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations.
Under the changes announced Friday, universities and colleges can let students return to campus next month, but are being asked to wait until Jan. 18 to restart face-to-face classes.
Indoor restaurant dining will continue to be barred under the new state health department order that takes effect Monday. Indoor sports and outdoor contact sports also will still be prohibited unless there is rigorous testing like there is at the pro and NCAA levels.
Third allergic reaction to COVID-19 vaccine reported in Alaska By Audrey McNamara COVID vaccine rollout in full swing
A third health care worker in Alaska has suffered an allergic reaction to Pfizer s COVID-19 vaccine. Severe allergic reactions can occur with any vaccine, but are extremely rare.
The employee, one of almost 300 to receive the vaccine Friday at Foundation Health Partners Fairbanks Memorial Hospital, said in a statement shared by the hospital that her experience should not deter others from getting vaccinated. Anaphylaxis is a rare but expected potential side effect that is treatable and does not have long term health implications like COVID, said the employee, who wishes to remain anonymous, in the statement. I would get the vaccine and recommend it to anyone, despite my reaction, to help our country get immunized which is needed for the health of all Americans, for the economy, get families hugging again, for getting children back to sc
9 & 10 News
December 19, 2020
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. An Associated Press analysis shows states spent more than $7 billion this spring buying personal protective equipment such as masks, gloves, gowns and ventilators.
California spent the most during the pandemic’s initial months, at least $1.5 billion in the AP’s data, followed by Texas, Maryland, Massachusetts and Washington. New York also spent several hundred million dollars on PPE and ventilators through November.
The data was obtained from states through open-records requests. State governments were scrambling for supplies at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Some states paid as much as $11 for individual N95 masks, which previously cost around 50 cents before the pandemic.
9 & 10 News
December 19, 2020
WASHINGTON An Army general in charge of COVID-19 vaccines apologized Saturday for “miscommunication” with states on the number of early doses delivered.
Gen. Gustave Perna’s remarks came a day after a second vaccine was added in the fight against the coronavirus. Governors in more than a dozen states says the federal government has told them next week’s shipment of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will be less than originally projected.
“I want to take personal responsibility for the miscommunication,” he said. “I know that’s not done much these days. But I am responsible. … This is a herculean effort and we are not perfect.”