Protective immunity against COVID-19 could last 8 months or more
Editor's Note This study led by researchers from the Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, California, finds that response to COVID-19 by the immune system can last for at least 8 months after the onset of symptoms. The researchers measured antibodies, memory…
CDC clarifies guidance on COVID-19 vaccinations
Editor's Note The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on January 8 updated its guidance to clarify that overlapping may occur in phases of vaccinating priority groups, Reuters reports. The CDC reiterated that priority recipients of the COVID-19 vaccines are still healthcare workers, nursing home residents, those aged 75…
COVID-19 transmission from asymptomatic individuals
Editor's Note This decision analytical model from researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds that transmission of COVID-19 by asymptomatic individuals accounts for more than half of all transmissions. Combining baseline assumptions that peak infectiousness occurs at the median of symptom onset and that 30% never develop…
Ofstead & Associates offering free access to webinars until January 21
Editor's Note Cori L. Ofstead, MSPH, President and CEO of Ofstead & Associates, has announced that Ofstead & Associates is offering all of their webinars for free until January 21. The CE-eligible webinars include: Uncovering device adverse events to improve safety for patients and personnel Respiratory protection: Unmasked. A selection…
CDC: Allergic reactions after receipt of first dose of Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna COVID-19 vaccines
Editor's Note From December 14 to December 23, 2020, monitoring by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System found 4,393 (0.2%) adverse events after administration of 1,893,360 first doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Of these adverse events, 21 were determined to be cases…
CDC updates number of distributed COVID-19 vaccine doses
Editor’s Note As of January 5, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the number of distributed COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna is 17,020,575 doses, with 4,836,469 already administered.
CDC: Updated interim recommendation for allocation of COVID-19 vaccine
Editor’s Note On December 20, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) updated its interim vaccine allocation recommendations. In Phase 1b, COVID-19 vaccine should be offered to persons aged 75 years or more and non-healthcare frontline essential workers. In Phase 1c, the vaccine should be…
US public’s likelihood of getting COVID-19 vaccine
Editor's Note This study, led by researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles, analyzed biweekly nationally representative survey data to describe changes over time in the public’s likelihood of getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Among 8,167 respondents, the likelihood of getting a COVID-19 vaccine declined from 74% in early April…
CDC updates distribution of COVID-19 vaccines
Editor's Note The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on January 2, 2021, that a total of 13,071,925 COVID-19 vaccine doses had been distributed, and more than 4.2 million had been administered, according to the January 2 Reuters. The report also noted that 2,217,025 of the doses, which comprise…
APIC urges healthcare workers, public to get vaccinated
Editor's Note Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) President Connie Steed, MSN, RN, CIC, FAPIC, on December 16, issued a statement urging healthcare workers and the public to get vaccinated with the COVI-19 vaccines when they are available. APIC supports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s…
