COVID Pharma Update
COVID By the Numbers
From reported cases, recovered cases, deaths, vaccine progress, doses administered, to fully vaccinated regions, COVID-19 data changes quickly and frequently. How many cases are worldwide compared to in the United States? How many approved vaccines are there and how is my state doing when it comes to fully vaccinated the population? For the most up-to-date numbers in any region and around the world the COVID-19 Tracker gets its information from both the CDC, the WHO, and more.
Vaccine Administration and Management
More Than 10 Million COVID-19 Vaccine Doses Administered by Community Health Centers
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (@hhsgov) announced that Health Resources and Services Administration (@HRSAgov)) Health Center Program-funded health centers and Health Center Program look-alikes (LALs) have administered more than 10 million COVID-19 vaccine doses nationwide—with 61% provided to racial and ethnic minorities. Community health centers, which largely serve the nation’s underserved and most vulnerable communities, have been central to President Biden’s commitment to ensuring equity and access in the COVID-19 response and vaccination program.
HHS Coordinates New Effort to Vaccinate Migratory and Seasonal Workers in the Food and Agriculture Sectors
As part of President Biden’s commitment to ensure the nation’s underserved communities and those disproportionately affected by COVID-19 are equitably vaccinated, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is coordinating efforts to support COVID-19 vaccination of migratory and seasonal agricultural workers including workers in the food sector.
HHS Secretary Becerra, HUD Secretary Fudge Announce Joint Effort to Increase Access to COVID-19 Vaccinations
U.S. Health and Human Service (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra and U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia L. Fudge announced a joint-agency effort to increase access to COVID-19 prevention and treatment services, including testing and vaccinations, among disproportionately affected communities, including among HUD-assisted households and people experiencing homelessness.
HHS Launches New Reimbursement Program for COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Fees not Covered by Insurance
The US Department of Health and Human Services, through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is announcing a new program covering costs of administering COVID-19 vaccines to patients enrolled in health plans that either do not cover vaccination fees or cover them with patient cost-sharing.
Software Management Tools
UL Launches Complimentary COVID-19 Vaccination Tracker Service to Support U.S. Return-To-Workplace Programs
UL (@uldialogue), the global safety science leader, has rolled out a new software tool providing employers with streamlined digital tracking and recording capabilities for their employees’ COVID-19 vaccinations as return-to-work programs gear up across the United States.
Vaccines
Vaccine Confidence Tracker
Cognovi Labs, a market leader in the field of AI tech, has released their Emotion AI platform, which allows us to measure emotions at scale and in real time. This Emotion AI is mainly used to assist companies in different industries such as healthcare and the public sector, but recently they used their innovative tech to measure people’s emotions relating to the COVID vaccine. Their Vaccine Confidence Tracker shows how people’s emotions affect their decisions to get or not to get the vaccine.
Mayo Clinic Q and A: How different types of COVID-19 vaccines work
An explanation on how the COVID-19 vaccines work and the differences between them compiled by staff at the Mayo Clinic (@MayoClinic).
The safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines for children
A coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine is now available to children ages 12 through 15 in the U.S. According to Mayo Clinic Staff, here’s what parents, caregivers and children need to know about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, the possible side effects, and the benefits of getting vaccinated.
Therapeutics
FDA In Brief: FDA Provides Guidance on Master Protocols for Evaluating Prevention, Treatment Options for COVID-19
FDA (@US_FDA) and Janet Woodcock, M.D., Acting FDA Commissioner on guidance that describes FDA’s current recommendations to sponsors of master protocols evaluating drugs for the treatment or prevention of COVID-19.
Testing
HHS to Dedicate $4.8 Billion from American Rescue Plan to COVID-19 Testing for the Uninsured
The US Department of Health and Human Services, through the Health Resources and Services Administration, is announcing that it is dedicating $4.8 billion from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) to support the HRSA COVID-19 Uninsured Program.
To Read
Will We Need a COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shot Later This Year? by Healthline (@healthline) – The vaccines being used in the United States and other parts of the world are safe and effective in preventing severe cases of COVID-19. How long that protection lasts is still not fully understood — both the virus and the vaccines against it are relatively new.
Different COVID-19 Vaccination Rates Among States Could Fuel Surges This Summer by Healthline – Seven in 10 people in Vermont have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine as the state nears its target vaccination rate of 80 percent — and potential herd immunity. In Mississippi, however, just 1 in 3 have received at least an initial dose. As the United States as a whole hits a 50 percent vaccination rate, the uneven compliance in different states and regions could pose some dangers for summer and fall, experts say.
How Fear Threatens Our COVID-19 Safety Response, and How to Overcome It By Michael Tkach, PsyD, Chief Operating Officer & Chief Behavioral Health Officer, Affinity Empowering (@AffinityRTW) – The motivations for complying with these policies are subtly different for employers and employees. Employers want to ensure the safety of the workforce and meet company productivity goals. Employees want to stay healthy, fearing what might happen to them or their families if someone catches COVID-19. Although fear can inspire short-term behavioral change, there is not much support for it as an effective long-term motivator.
Clinical Trials
Trends in Covid-19 clinical trials: vaccines vs therapeutics
Clinical Trials Arena reports that since the Covid-19 pandemic began, the peak in the total number of clinical trials for Covid-19 was seen in the month of April 2020. Since this, there has been a steady decrease in new clinical trial investigations, except for the months of December 2020 and March 2021. As companies and organisations continue to test both vaccines and therapeutics, the total number for each are showing different trends.
To Listen
COVID-19 Episodes
We have compiled a playlist from all our shows and podcasts on our network that discuss the current COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 Resources
HealthcareNOW Radio rounded up some health IT resources being offered by companies to help healthcare professionals, American citizens and all of those affected in the fight against the coronavirus.
COVID-19 Reports
We’ve rounded up some of the latest news and announcements pertaining to the coronavirus and the healthcare industry.
