Category: Covid-19 Vaccine

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With spring and the end of flu season just around the corner, many Canadians are wondering whether or not they need an updated COVID-19 vaccine and what the future of the virus may look like.

In January, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) released recommendations for administering a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccines in the spring, particularly targeting Canadians with a heightened vulnerability to severe illness caused by the virus. These are typically people aged 65 or older, or those who are immunocompromised.

But Dr. Horacio Bach, a researcher and clinical assistant professor at the University of British Columbia's faculty of medicine, noted everyone can benefit from a COVID-19 booster every six months, or six months from their last date of infection.

"Antibodies don't last. After six months, they start to fade," he told Yahoo Canada. "We've known that from the very beginning, even before the vaccine, even for people naturally infected."

Still, the NACI recommended it's crucial high-risk individuals get their extra dose of the latest vaccine first to better protect them against the current variants of the Omicron origin. People considered high-risk include:

As of right now, only Ontario residents identified as higher risk will be able to access spring booster shots starting in April. British Columbia is set to announce its own guidance soon, while people in Manitoba and Nova Scotia are already able to access their spring booster.

Some research shows COVID-19 could ultimately develop a seasonal pattern, but for now, it hasn't disappeared in the spring or summer like the flu does.

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"The flu is seasonal. That's the reason we get one shot in November. What we see in COVID-19 is not as seasonal due to the number of hospitalizations," Bach said. "It's not something that disappears in the spring or summer. We don't know the behaviour of these viruses; everything is changing."

It may seem like COVID-19 is following a seasonal pattern, but only because flu season is a convenient time to remind people to get vaccinated. While COVID-19 infection rates tend to lower in the warmer months, they still persist, not reaching the same low levels as the flu does in the warmer months.

According to the NACI, people aged 80 and older face the highest risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Nevertheless, the recommendation now includes those aged 65 and above, recognizing the risk of severe infection varies across older adult age groups.

This demographic tends to deal with ailments, like gastrointestinal problems, high blood pressure and other underlying diseases, that put them at greater risk. Some are taking medication for other illnesses that render them immunocompromised, too.

"We age and there are problems and that's reflected in the immune response," Bach said. Someone who's 60 to 80 may not be as strong as when they were 20 years old."

Getting a spring booster is especially important for this demographic if they didn't receive a booster last fall.

Despite masking and social distancing no longer being mandatory, the recommendations remain the same: Mask up, stay home when you're sick and wash your hands.

"[Masks] are highly protective as long as they have at least three layers because the virus gets trapped there," Bach shared.

While he recommended wearing K95 or KN95 masks, even surgical masks are better than nothing, "as long as you wear it properly." That means well-fitted to the face and no gaping holes on either side of the mask.

Though some people may feel COVID-19 is just like getting the flu, the real risk many don't consider is long COVID, Bach added. Long COVID symptoms can include tiredness or fatigue, difficulty breathing, cough, chest pain, sleep disturbances and more.

At least 65 million people worldwide are estimated to have long COVID, according to a study in Nature Communications. That's 10 per cent of all severe acute respiratory infections, which is a high percentage, according to Bach, even though it sounds small. It's also likely much higher due to undocumented cases.

"If you get long COVID, you'll be impaired for we don't know how long and we don't know how to treat it yet," Bach noted. "Everyone is different. It's better to protect [yourself] than get sick."

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Do you need a spring COVID-19 booster vaccine? What to know, plus updated guidelines for the season - Yahoo Canada Shine On

Basic characteristics of the study participants and overall seroprevalence among the vaccinated community

The distribution of participants based on socio-demographic data and potential risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection is presented in Table 1. Out of the total, 10,669 blood samples were assessed (12% of participants refused to participate in the serological survey), comprising 7,380 women and 3,475 men, with a median age of 44years (ranging from 14 to 102years) (Table 1).

The serological survey encompassed 10,669 participants, with 8,602 having received two doses of BBIBP-CorV/Sinopharm (meanSEM of months after the second dose=8.110.08), 1,817 with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (COVISHIELD, Oxford/AstraZeneca; meanSEM of months after the second dose=9.820.15), 208 with BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech, Comirnaty, Pfizer, USA; meanSEM of months after the second dose=7.140.55), and 42 participants vaccinated with a single dose of JCovden/Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine (meanSEM of months after the first dose=7.501.00). Adjusted overall seroprevalences did not show significant differences between vaccines (p=0.099).

We determined an adjusted seroprevalence rate of 96% (95% CI: 95.5% to 96.4%) among participants who received the BBIBP-CorV vaccine (Table 2). Logistic regression analysis revealed several variables associated with a higher risk of detecting anti-SRAS-CoV-2 antibodies (Table 3). Specifically, a higher prevalence of antibody positivity was linked to age. Additionally, the odds of being antibody-positive are 0.59 times lower for male participants than for females. A higher prevalence of antibody positivity was associated with hypertension, mask-wearing, and PCR-confirmed COVID-19 disease (Table 3). Furthermore, the analysis by chronic kidney disease revealed that participants with kidney disease had a significantly lower probability of being seropositive than participants without kidney disease (Table 3).

For participants vaccinated with ChAdOx1-nCov-19, the adjusted seroprevalence was 97% (95% CI: 9697.9) (Table 2). Logistic regression analysis assessing the association between SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity and demographic characteristics and chronic diseases between February and June 2022 is presented in Table 4. In univariable analysis, participants in the age groups of more than 1419years and those with a PCR-confirmed diagnosis (OR=2.65; 95% CI: 1.056.68; p=0.038) tended to be significantly more likely to be seropositive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (Table 4). In contrast, in the multivariable analysis, only participants with a PCR-confirmed diagnosis were more likely to be seropositive for anti-RBD (OR=2.69; 95% CI: 1.177.78; p=0.036) (Table 4).

For participants vaccinated with BNT162b2, the overall adjusted prevalence of anti-SRAS-CoV-2 antibodies was 98.5% (95% CI: 95.0100.0) (Table 2). Logistic regression analysis showed that participants with hypertension who received BNT162b2 were more likely to be seronegative compared to female participants and those without hypertension (Table 5).

The adjusted seroprevalence among participants vaccinated with the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine was 98% (95% CI: 85.2100.0). Owing to the small sample size (n=42), logistic regression analysis of the association between SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity and demographic characteristics and comorbid conditions was not conducted.

Subsequently, we evaluated the magnitude of the humoral response by measuring IgG antibodies to the RBD of the S1 subunit of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The median RBD antibody concentrations were 2355 AU/mL, 3714 AU/mL, 5838 AU/mL, and 2495 AU/mL after two doses of BBIBP-CorV/Sinopharm, ChAdOx1 nCoV-19/Oxford/AstraZeneca, BNT162b2/Pfizer-BioNTech, and after one dose of JCovden/Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine. Significant differences were observed among vaccine brands (p<0.0001). Notably, there was no significant difference between the JCovden vaccine and the BBIBP-CorV vaccine (p=0.691) (Fig.1).

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels among four vaccine brands. Data are presented as median and interquartile range for IgG antibody. MannWhitney and KruskalWallis tests were used.

Stratifying participants who received the BBIBP-CorV vaccine revealed a significant difference in antibody concentration titers by gender (median=2428 vs. 2238 AU/mL for females and males, respectively) (p=0.004) (Fig.2A). An association was identified between age and anti-RBD IgG levels in BBIBP-CorV vaccine recipients (<0.0001), with the highest levels observed in those aged65years (median=5145.5 AU/mL) (Fig.2B).

Anti-RBD IgG antibody responses to BBIBP-CorV vaccine/Sinopharm in the general population. (A) Antibody levels subdivided by gender. (B) Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels by age. (C) SARS-CoV-2 antibody titer in participants with and without diabetes. (D) SARS-CoV-2 antibody titer in participants with and without chronic kidney disease. (E) SARS-CoV-2 antibody titer in participants with and without hypertension. (F) SARS-CoV-2 antibody titer in participants with and without cancer. (G) SARS-CoV-2 antibody titer in participants with and without mask-wearing. (H) Antibody levels by the history of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Data are presented as median and interquartile range for IgG antibody titers. MannWhitney test was used for comparisons.

Unexpectedly, participants with comorbidities exhibited the highest levels of anti-RBD IgG (Fig.2CE), while for participants with cancer, antibody levels showed no significant difference between those with (median=2078 AU/mL) and without cancer (median=2358 AU/mL) (Fig.2F). Additionally, individuals reporting mask-wearing demonstrated higher anti-RBD antibody titers (median=2468 AU/mL) compared to those not wearing masks (median=2215 AU/mL) (p=0.0002) (Fig.2G).

Lastly, our data revealed that individuals with confirmed exposure to SARS-CoV-2 had elevated anti-RBD antibody titers (median=3019 AU/mL) compared with uninfected individuals (median=2222 AU/mL) (Fig.2H).

Stratifying participants who received the Covishield vaccine revealed no significant difference in the humoral response by gender (median=3698 vs. 3845 AU/mL for females and males, respectively) (p=0.681) (Fig.3A). In contrast, bivariate Spearman analysis revealed a positive correlation between age and anti-RBD IgG titers (r=0.240, 95% CI: 0.195 to 0.284, p<0.0001) (Fig.3B).

Antibody responses against RBD after two doses of ChAdOx1-nCoV-19/AstraZeneca. (A) Gender difference in antibody response. (B) Scatter plot of the distribution of antibody titers according to age. (C) SARS-CoV-2 antibody titer in participants with and without diabetes. (D) SARS-CoV-2 antibody titer in participants with and without chronic kidney disease. (E) SARS-CoV-2 antibody titer in participants with and without hypertension. (F) SARS-CoV-2 antibody titer in participants with and without cardiovascular disease. (G) SARS-CoV-2 antibody titer in participants with and without cancer. (H) SARS-CoV-2 antibody titer in participants with and without mask-wearing. (I) Antibody levels by the history of coronavirus disease 2019. Data are presented as median and interquartile range for IgG antibody titers. Spearman correlation and MannWhitney test were used for comparisons.

Comparison between participants according to medical comorbidities revealed elevated anti-RBD antibody concentrations in those with diabetes (median=4660.5 vs. 3461 AU/mL for with diabetes and without diabetes, respectively) (p=0.002) (Fig.3C), chronic hypertension (median=4416 vs. 3546 AU/mL for with chronic hypertension and without chronic hypertension, respectively) (p=0.015) (Fig.3D), and renal disease (median=10,933 vs. 3637 AU/mL for with renal disease and without renal disease, respectively) (p<0.0001) (Fig.3E). In contrast, there was no statistical difference in antibody titers between participants with cancer (median=6038 AU/mL) and those without cancer (median=3708.5 AU/mL) (p=0.525) (Fig.3F) and cardiovascular disease (median=4094 vs. 3701 AU/mL for with cardiovascular disease and without cardiovascular disease, respectively) (p=0.830) (Fig.3G). Additionally, wearing a mask did not affect the humoral response in Covishield-vaccinated participants (Fig.3H) (p=0.611). However, prior exposure to COVID-19 increased the level of anti-RBD IgG (median=4618 vs. 3508 AU/mL for individuals with confirmed exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and uninfected individuals, respectively) (p=0.003) (Fig.3I).

In fully vaccinated participants with BNT162b2/Pfizer, stratification by demographics, comorbidities, and history of COVID-19 showed no significant differences in anti-RBD antibody concentrations (Fig.4AD,F). In contrast, an elevated antibody level was observed in participants who reported wearing a mask (median=6753 AU/mL) compared with those who did not report wearing a mask (median=4909 AU/mL) (p=0.046) (Fig.4E).

Antibody responses against RBD following two doses of BioNTech162b2/Pfizer vaccine. (A) Distribution of antibody titers according to sex. (B) Correlation of age and anti-RBD IgG antibody levels. (C) SARS-CoV-2 antibody titer in participants with and without diabetes. (D) SARS-CoV-2 antibody titer in participants with and without hypertension. (E) SARS-CoV-2 antibody titer in participants with and without mask-wearing. (F) Antibody levels by the history of coronavirus disease 2019. Data are presented as box and whisker plots with the minimum and maximum range for IgG antibody titers. Spearman correlation and MannWhitney test were used for comparisons.

Stratification of participants vaccinated with JCovden/Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine showed no association by gender (p=0.456), and no correlation between age and anti-RBD antibody levels was noted (p=0.362). However, stratification of participants by comorbidities was not performed due to the limited sample size (n=42).

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Seroepidemiological assessment of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine responsiveness and associated factors in the vaccinated ... - Nature.com

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Board member wants SMH to adopt Ladapo's opposition to COVID-19 shots - Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Ruth Link-Gelles, PhD1; Elizabeth A.K. Rowley, DrPH2; Malini B. DeSilva, MD3; Kristin Dascomb, MD, PhD4; Stephanie A. Irving, MHS5; Nicola P. Klein, MD, PhD6; Shaun J. Grannis, MD7,8; Toan C. Ong, PhD9; Zachary A. Weber, PhD2; Katherine E. Fleming-Dutra, MD1; Charlene E. McEvoy, MD3; Omobosola Akinsete, MBBS3; Daniel Bride, MS10; Tamara Sheffield, MD11; Allison L. Naleway, PhD5; Ousseny Zerbo, PhD6; Bruce Fireman6; John Hansen, MPH6; Kristin Goddard, MPH6; Brian E. Dixon, PhD7,12; Colin Rogerson, MD7,13; William F. Fadel, PhD7,14; Thomas Duszynski, PhD7,15; Suchitra Rao, MBBS9; Michelle A. Barron, MD9; Sarah E. Reese, PhD2; Sarah W. Ball, ScD2; Margaret M. Dunne, MSc2; Karthik Natarajan, PhD16; Erica Okwuazi, MSc1,17; Ami B. Shah, MPH1,17; Ryan Wiegand, PhD1; Mark W. Tenforde, MD, PhD18; Amanda B. Payne, PhD1 (View author affiliations)

What is already known about this topic?

In September 2023, CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended updated 20232024 (monovalent XBB.1.5) COVID-19 vaccination for all persons aged 6 months to prevent COVID-19, including severe disease, with optional additional doses for persons with immunocompromising conditions; such persons are at higher risk for severe COVID-19 and might also have reduced immune responses to vaccination.

What is added by this report?

Among adults aged 18 years with immunocompromising conditions, receipt of an updated COVID-19 vaccine provided increased protection against COVID-19associated hospitalizations compared with not receiving an updated COVID-19 vaccine. Few persons (18%) in this high-risk study population had received updated COVID-19 vaccine.

What are the implications for public health practice?

All persons with immunocompromising conditions should receive updated COVID-19 vaccination and may get additional updated COVID-19 vaccine doses 2 months after the last recommended COVID-19 vaccine.

In September 2023, CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended updated 20232024 (monovalent XBB.1.5) COVID-19 vaccination for all persons aged 6 months to prevent COVID-19, including severe disease. As with past COVID-19 vaccines, additional doses may be considered for persons with immunocompromising conditions, who are at higher risk for severe COVID-19 and might have decreased response to vaccination. In this analysis, vaccine effectiveness (VE) of an updated COVID-19 vaccine dose against COVID-19associated hospitalization was evaluated during September 2023February 2024 using data from the VISION VE network. Among adults aged 18 years with immunocompromising conditions, VE against COVID-19associated hospitalization was 38% in the 759 days after receipt of an updated vaccine dose and 34% in the 60119 days after receipt of an updated dose. Few persons (18%) in this high-risk study population had received updated COVID-19 vaccine. All persons aged 6 months should receive updated 20232024 COVID-19 vaccination; persons with immunocompromising conditions may get additional updated COVID-19 vaccine doses 2 months after the last recommended COVID-19 vaccine.

On September 12, 2023, CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended updated 20232024 COVID-19 vaccination with a monovalent XBB.1.5derived vaccine for all persons aged 6 months to prevent COVID-19, including severe disease (1). Most persons aged 5 years are recommended to receive 1 updated dose. Persons with moderate or severe immunocompromising conditions, who are at higher risk for severe COVID-19 and might have a decreased response to vaccination, have the option to receive additional doses, guided by the clinical judgment of a health care provider and personal preference and circumstances* (2). Understanding vaccine effectiveness (VE) among persons with immunocompromising conditions is important to guiding vaccine policy and patient and provider decisions. This analysis estimated effectiveness of updated 20232024 COVID-19 vaccines against COVID-19associated hospitalizations among adults aged 18 years with immunocompromising conditions during September 2023February 2024.

Methods for Virtual SARS-CoV-2, Influenza, and Other respiratory viruses Network (VISION) VE analyses have been reported (3). VISION is a multisite electronic health care records (EHR)based network that utilizes a test-negative design to estimate COVID-19 VE. This analysis included hospitalizations among adults aged 18 years with immunocompromising conditions and who had COVID-19like illness with SARS-CoV-2 molecular testing during the 10 days preceding admission or up to 72 hours after admission. Case-patients were persons who received a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result using a molecular test and received a negative or indeterminate or had an unknown test result for both respiratory syncytial virus and influenza, and control patients were those who received a negative SARS-CoV-2 test result using a molecular test and received a negative influenza test result or had an unknown influenza test result. Nine persons who received >1 updated COVID-19 vaccine dose were included.** Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs were estimated using multivariable logistic regression comparing persons who received an updated COVID-19 vaccine dose with those who did not, irrespective of the number of previous original or bivalent COVID-19 vaccine doses received (if any), among case- and control patients. Regression models were adjusted for age, sex, race and ethnicity, calendar time, and geographic region. VE was calculated as (1 adjusted OR) 100%. Analyses were conducted using R software (version 4.3.2; R Foundation). This activity was reviewed by CDC, deemed not research, and was conducted consistent with applicable federal law and CDC policy. VISION activities were reviewed and approved by the Westat and site institutional review boards.

Among 14,586 patients with immunocompromising conditions who were hospitalized with COVID-19like illness, 1,392 case-patients and 13,194 control patients were included (Table 1). The most common immunocompromising conditions among both case-patients and control patients were solid organ malignancy (36% and 43%, respectively) and other intrinsic immune conditions or immunodeficiency (38% and 35%, respectively). A total of 195 (14%) case-patients had received an updated COVID-19 vaccine dose compared with 2,401 (18%) control patients. VE against COVID-19associated hospitalization was 38% in the first 759 days after receipt of an updated COVID-19 vaccine dose and 34% in the 60119 days after receipt of an updated dose (Table 2).

In this multisite analysis among adults with immunocompromising conditions during September 2023February 2024, receiving an updated 20232024 COVID-19 vaccine dose provided additional protection against COVID-19associated hospitalizations, compared with not receiving an updated vaccine dose. Effectiveness estimates in this report were slightly lower than those in a recently published analysis from VISION and another CDC VE network showing COVID-19 VE against COVID-19-associated hospitalizations in adults without immunocompromising conditions was approximately 50%, but this report includes the analysis of an additional month of data compared with the previous report (3). However, lower COVID-19 VE among adults with immunocompromising conditions compared with adults without immunocompromising conditions has been previously reported (4,5); persons with moderate or severe immunocompromising conditions are at higher risk for severe COVID-19 and might have decreased response to vaccination (2).

Relatively few persons in this analysis had received an updated COVID-19 vaccine dose, despite those with immunocompromising conditions being at higher risk for severe COVID-19. For example, among those with an organ or stem cell transplant, a group known to be at particularly high risk for severe COVID-19 (6), only 18% had received an updated dose, representing a missed opportunity to prevent severe COVID-19.

The findings in this report are subject to at least two limitations. First, the use of selected discharge diagnoses as surrogates for presumed immunocompromise status and the absence of medication and other relevant data might have led to misclassification of immunocompromise status, which might have biased estimated VE in either direction. Second, immunocompromising conditions are heterogeneous and likely to create differential risk for severe COVID-19, as well as differential response to vaccination (2). This analysis did not have statistical power to estimate VE by individual risk group or for those receiving more than one dose of the updated COVID-19 vaccine; however, CDC will continue to monitor VE in these groups. In addition, this analysis is subject to limitations similar to those in previous VISION VE analyses, including the potential that case-patients might have been hospitalized for reasons other than COVID-19, potential misclassification of vaccination status, no accounting for previous infection status, and potential residual confounding (3).

Receipt of an updated COVID-19 vaccine dose provided increased protection against COVID-19associated hospitalization among adults with immunocompromising conditions compared with no receipt of an updated dose. CDC will continue to monitor VE of updated COVID-19 vaccines in populations at high risk, including those with immunocompromising conditions. All persons aged 6 months should receive updated 20232024 COVID-19 vaccination; persons with immunocompromising conditions may get additional updated COVID-19 vaccine doses 2 months after the last recommended COVID-19 vaccine.

Allison Ciesla, Monica Dickerson, Josephine Mak, Abby L. Martin, Morgan Najdowski, Caitlin Ray, Emily Reeves, Ralph D. Whitehead, Jr., CDC.

1Coronavirus and Other Respiratory Viruses Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, CDC; 2Westat, Rockville, Maryland; 3HealthPartners Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota; 4Division of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Epidemiology, Intermountain Health, Salt Lake City, Utah; 5Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, Portland, Oregon; 6Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, California; 7Center for Biomedical Informatics, Regenstrief Institute, Indianapolis, Indiana; 8Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana; 9School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado; 10Enterprise Analytics, Intermountain Health, Salt Lake City, Utah; 11Immunization Programs, Intermountain Health, Salt Lake City, Utah; 12Department of Health Policy and Management, Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana; 13Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana; 14Department of Biostatistics and Health Data Science, Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana; 15Department of Epidemiology, Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana; 16Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; 17General Dynamics Information Technology, Falls Church, Virginia; 18Influenza Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, CDC.

Abbreviations: ICU=intensive care unit; KPNC=Kaiser Permanente Northern California; KPNW=Kaiser Permanente Northwest; NA = not applicable; SMD=standardized mean or proportion difference; VISION=Virtual SARS-CoV-2, Influenza, and Other respiratory viruses Network. * Patient received a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result using a molecular test and received a negative or indeterminate test result or had an unknown test result for both respiratory syncytial virus and influenza. Patient received a negative SARS-CoV-2 test result using a molecular test and received a negative influenza test result or had an unknown influenza test result. A larger SMD indicates a larger difference in variable distributions between hospitalizations for vaccinated versus unvaccinated patients, or for patients who received a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result versus patients who received a negative SARS-CoV-2 test result. For mRNA COVID-19 vaccination status, a single SMD was calculated by averaging the absolute SMDs obtained from pairwise comparisons of each vaccinated category versus unvaccinated. Specifically, SMD was calculated as the average of the absolute value of the SMDs for 1) updated dose, 759 days earlier versus no updated dose; and 2) updated dose, 60119 days earlier versus no updated dose. The no updated dose group included all eligible persons who did not receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine dose, regardless of number of previous (i.e., original monovalent and bivalent) doses (if any) received. ** Date ranges of hospitalizations by site: HealthPartners (September 21, 2023February 17, 2024), Intermountain Health (September 21, 2023February 17, 2024), KPNC (September 21, 2023February 17, 2024), KPNW (September 21, 2023February 17, 2024), Regenstrief Institute (September 21, 2023February 13, 2024), and University of Colorado (September 21, 2023February 4, 2024). Other, non-Hispanic race persons reporting non-Hispanic ethnicity and any of the following options for race: American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, other races not listed, and multiple races; because of small numbers, these categories were combined. Unknown includes persons with missing race and ethnicity in their electronic health records. Underlying condition categories included pulmonary, cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, musculoskeletal, neurologic, hematologic, endocrine, renal, and gastrointestinal. All persons in the analysis had one or more immunocompromising condition. *** Chronic respiratory condition was defined using International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision discharge codes for asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, or other lung disease. Persons included in the analysis might have one or more immunocompromising conditions; therefore, column totals might add to more than 100%. In-hospital death was defined as death while hospitalized within 28 days after admission. The JN.1 predominant period was considered to have started December 24, 2023.

Abbreviations: Ref=referent group; VE=vaccine effectiveness; VISION=Virtual SARS-CoV-2, Influenza, and Other respiratory viruses Network. * VE was calculated as (1 odds ratio) 100%, with odds ratios calculated using logistic regression. The odds ratio was adjusted for age, sex, race and ethnicity, geographic region, and calendar time (days since January 1, 2021). The no updated dose group included all eligible persons who did not receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine dose, regardless of number of previous (i.e., original monovalent and bivalent) doses (if any) received.

Suggested citation for this article: Link-Gelles R, Rowley EA, DeSilva MB, et al. Interim Effectiveness of Updated 20232024 (Monovalent XBB.1.5) COVID-19 Vaccines Against COVID-19Associated Hospitalization Among Adults Aged 18 Years with Immunocompromising Conditions VISION Network, September 2023February 2024. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2024;73:271276. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7312a5.

MMWR and Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report are service marks of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Use of trade names and commercial sources is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. References to non-CDC sites on the Internet are provided as a service to MMWR readers and do not constitute or imply endorsement of these organizations or their programs by CDC or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. CDC is not responsible for the content of pages found at these sites. URL addresses listed in MMWR were current as of the date of publication.

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Interim Effectiveness of Updated 20232024 (Monovalent XBB.1.5) COVID-19 Vaccines Against COVID-19Associated ... - CDC

GAITHERSBURG, Md., April 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Novavax, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVAX), a global company advancing protein-based vaccines with its Matrix-M adjuvant, will showcase continued progress on data from its updated COVID-19 vaccine (NVX-CoV2601) and provide an overview of its influenza and COVID-19-Influenza Combination (CIC) vaccine candidates at theWorld Vaccine Congress 2024(WVC) inWashington, DC,April 2 to 4, 2024.

New data from Novavax's ongoing research on its updated XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccine in participants who previously received an mRNA vaccine showed robust neutralizing antibody titers for the XBB.1.5 subvariant as well as for the currently circulating JN.1 subvariant. Data also showed that the vaccine's safety and reactogenicity profile was consistent with its prototype vaccine (NVX-CoV2373).

Differencesobserved in immunoglobulin (IgG) subclass responses and Fc-mediated effector functions following mRNA and protein-based COVID-19 vaccinations will be shared.

Novavax will also discuss its influenza and CIC vaccine candidates, including a recap of data to date and the timeline for the Phase 3 trial anticipated to start during the second half of 2024.

Dr. Robert Walker, Chief Medical Officer, Novavax, will participate in a panel discussion on The Future of COVID-19 Vaccinations on April 3, exploring the benefits of developing broadly protective antigens or combination vaccines.

Novavax presentations during WVC:

Mallory, R

Safety and Immunogenicity of the Novavax XBB.1.5 SARS- CoV-2 Vaccine in Previously mRNA Vaccinated Participants

Oral Presentation

April 3, 2024

10:10am (EDT)

Kalkeri, R

Distinct Differences in IgG4 switch and Fc effector functions between mRNA and Novavax protein-based COVID Vaccination

Oral Presentation

April 3, 2024

10:25am (EDT)

Mallory, R

Update on Novavax influenza and COVID- influenza combination vaccine

Oral Presentation

April 3, 2024

2:40pm (EDT)

About Novavax Novavax, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVAX) promotes improved health by discovering,developing and commercializing innovative vaccines to help protect against serious infectious diseases. Novavax, a global company based inGaithersburg, Md., U.S., offers a differentiated vaccine platform that combines a recombinant protein approach, innovative nanoparticle technology and Novavax's patented Matrix-M adjuvant to enhance the immune response. The Company's portfolio includes its COVID-19 vaccine and its pipeline includes a vaccine for COVID-19 and influenza combined. In addition, Novavax's adjuvant is included in the University of Oxford and Serum Institute of India's R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine. Please visit novavax.comand LinkedInfor more information.

Contacts: Investors Erika Schultz 240-268-2022 [emailprotected]

Media Ali Chartan 240-720-7804 [emailprotected]

SOURCE NOVAVAX, INC

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Novavax Presents Data on Updated COVID-19 Vaccine and Progress to Date on its COVID-19-Influenza Combination ... - Novavax Investor Relations

The following is a summary of Increased Risk of Thyroid Eye Disease Following Covid-19 Vaccination, published in the February 2024 issue of Endocrinology by Muller, et al.

For a study, researchers sought to analyze the risk of thyroid eye disease (TED) following COVID-19 vaccination, considering the potential association between SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19 vaccines, and thyroid disorders.

The self-controlled case series study was conducted at a tertiary referral center specializing in TED. A total of 98 consecutive patients with newly developed (n = 92) or reactivated (n = 6) TED between January 1, 2021, and August 31, 2022, were included. TED occurrence was assessed in patients who underwent COVID-19 vaccination. Person-days were categorized as exposed if TED manifested 1 to 28 days after vaccination and unexposed if occurring outside this timeframe. Conditional Poisson regression models were employed to calculate the incidence rate ratio (IRR) and corresponding 95% CI comparing exposed vs unexposed periods. Sensitivity analyses were conducted considering different exposed periods and exploring effect modification by potential TED risk factors.

Among 81 individuals who received COVID-19 vaccines, 25 (31%) developed TED during exposed periods, compared to 56 (69%) during unexposed periods. The IRR for TED was 3.24 (95% CI 2.01-5.20); among patients below 50 years of age, the IRR was 4.70 (95% CI 2.39-9.23). The association between TED and vaccination was not modified by sex, smoking status, or radioiodine treatment. TED risk was not associated with the number of vaccine doses and showed a decreasing trend following vaccination (P trend = .03).

The study found a significant increase in TED risk following COVID-19 vaccination, particularly among individuals below 50 years of age. Possible mechanisms for this association include spike protein interaction with the angiotensin-converting enzyme II receptor, cross-reactivity with thyroid self-proteins, and immune reactions induced by adjuvants. The findings suggest the importance of monitoring individuals undergoing COVID-19 vaccination, especially those young and at risk for autoimmunity.

Reference: academic.oup.com/jcem/article/109/2/516/7250476

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Elevated Risk of TED After COVID-19 Vaccination - Physician's Weekly

By Kwasi Gyamfi Asiedu, PolitiFact April 1, 2024

From spring break parties to Mardi Gras, many people remember the last major normal thing they did before the novel coronavirus pandemic dawned, forcing governments worldwide to issue stay-at-home advisories and shutdowns.

Even before the first case of covid-19 was detected in the U.S., fears and uncertainties helped spur misinformations rapid spread. In March 2020, schools closed, employers sent staff to work from home, and grocery stores called for physical distancing to keep people safe. But little halted the flow of misleading claims that sent fact-checkers and public health officials into overdrive.Some peoplefalselyasserted covids symptoms were associated with 5G wireless technology. Faux cures anduntested treatmentspopulated social media and political discourse. Amid uncertainty about the viruss origins, some people proclaimedcovid didnt exist at all. PolitiFact named downplay and denial about the virus its2020 Lie of the Year.

Four years later, peoples lives are largely free of the extreme public health measures that restricted them early in the pandemic. But covid misinformation persists, although its now centered mostly on vaccines and vaccine-related conspiracy theories.

PolitiFact has publishedmore than 2,000 fact checksrelated to covid vaccines alone.

From a misinformation researcher perspective, [there has been] shifting levels of trust, said Tara Kirk Sell, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. Early on in the pandemic, there was a lot of: This isnt real, fake cures, and then later on, we see more vaccine-focused mis- and disinformation and a more partisan type of disinformation and misinformation.

Here are some of the most persistent covid misinformation narratives we see today:

A Loss of Trust in the Vaccines

Covid vaccines were quickly developed, with U.S. patients receiving the first shots in December 2020, 11 months after the first domestic case was detected.

Experts credit the speedy development with helping tosave millions of livesand preventing hospitalizations. Researchers at the University of Southern California and Brown University calculated thatvaccines saved 2.4 million livesin 141 countries starting from the vaccines rollout through August 2021 alone. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data shows there were 1,164 U.S. deaths provisionallyattributed to covidthe week of March 2, down from nearly 26,000 at the pandemics height in January 2021, as vaccines were just rolling out.

But on social media and in some public officials remarks, misinformation about covid vaccine efficacy and safety is common.U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has built his 2024 campaign on a movement that seeks to legitimize conspiracy theories about the vaccines. PolitiFact made that its 2023 Lie of the Year.

PolitiFact has seen claims that spike proteins from vaccines arereplacing spermin vaccinated males. (Thatsfalse.) Weve researched the assertion that vaccines can change your DNA. (Thatsmisleading and ignores evidence). Social media posts poked fun at Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce for encouraging people to get vaccinated, asserting that the vaccine actually shuts off recipients hearts. (No, it doesnt.)And some people pointed to an American Red Cross blood donation questionnaire as evidence that shots are unsafe.(PolitiFact rated that False.)

Experts say this misinformation has real-world effects.

A September 2023 survey byKFF found that 57% of Americanssay they are very or somewhat confident in covid vaccines. And those who distrust them are more likely to identify as politically conservative: Thirty-six percent of Republicans compared with 84% of Democrats say they are very or somewhat confident in the vaccine.

Immunization rates for routine vaccines for other conditions have also taken a hit. Measles had been eradicated for more than 20 years in the U.S. but there have been recent outbreaks instates including Florida,Maryland, and Ohio. Floridas surgeon general has expressedskepticismabout vaccines andrejectedguidancefrom the CDC about how to contain potentially deadly disease spread.

The vaccination rate among kindergartners has declined from 95% in the 2019-20 school year to 93% in 2022-23, according to theCDC. Public health officials have set a 95% vaccination rate target to prevent and reduce the risk of disease outbreaks. The CDC also foundexemptions had risen to 3%, the highest rate ever recordedin the U.S.

Unsubstantiated Claims That Vaccines Cause Deaths or Other Illness

PolitiFact has seen repeated and unsubstantiatedclaims that covid vaccines have caused mass numbers of deaths.

A recent widely shared post claimed17 million people had diedbecause of the vaccine, despite contrary evidence from multiple studies and institutions such as the World Health Organization and CDC that the vaccines are safe and help to prevent severe illness and death.

Another online post claimed the booster vaccine hadeight strains of HIVand would kill 23% of the population. Vaccine manufacturers publish theingredient lists; they do not include HIV. People living with HIV were among the peoplegiven priority accessduring early vaccine rollout to protect them from severe illness.

Covid vaccines also have been blamed forcausing Alzheimersandcancer. Experts have found no evidence the vaccines cause either conditions.

You had this remarkable scientific or medical accomplishment contrasted with this remarkable rejection of that technology by a significant portion of the American public, said Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia.

More than three years after vaccines became available, about 70% of Americans have completed a primary series of covid vaccination,according to CDC figures. About 17% have gotten the most recentbivalent booster.

False claimsoften pullfrom and misuse datafrom theVaccine Adverse Event Reporting System. The database, run by the CDC and the FDA, allows anybody to report reactions after any vaccine. The reports themselves are unverified, but the database is designed to help researchers find patterns for further investigation.

AnOctober 2023 surveypublished in November by the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania found 63% of Americans think it is safer to get the covid-19 vaccine than the covid-19 disease that was down from 75% in April 2021.

Celebrity Deaths Falsely Attributed to Vaccines

Betty White, Bob Saget,Matthew Perry, andDMXare just a few of the many celebrities whose deaths were falsely linked to the vaccine. The anti-vaccine filmDied Suddenly tried to give credence to false claims that the vaccine causes people to die shortly after receiving it.

Cline Gounder, editor-at-large for public health at KFF Health News and an infectious disease specialist, said these claims proliferate because of two things:cognitive bias and more insidious motivated reasoning.

Its like saying I had an ice cream cone and then I died the next day; the ice cream must have killed me, she said. And those with preexisting beliefs about the vaccine seek to attach sudden deaths to the vaccine.

Gounder experienced thispersonally when her husband, the celebrated sports journalist Grant Wahl, died while covering the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Wahl died of a ruptured aortic aneurysm but anti-vaccine accounts falsely linked his death to a covid vaccine, forcing Gounder topubliclyset the record straight.

It is very clear that this is about harming other people, said Gounder, who was aguestat United Facts of America in 2023. And in this case, trying to harm me and my family at a point where we were grieving my husbands loss. What was important in that moment was to really stand up for my husband, his legacy, and to do what I know he would have wanted me to do, which is to speak the truth and to do so very publicly.

Out-of-Control Claims About Government Control

False claims that thepandemic was plannedby government leaders and those in power abound.

At any given moment, Microsoft Corp. co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates, World Economic Forum head Klaus Schwab, or Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, are blamed for orchestrating pandemic-related threats.In November, Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.) falsely claimed Fauci brought the virus to his state ayear before the pandemic.There isno evidenceof that. Gates, according to the narratives, is using dangerous vaccines to push a depopulation agenda. Thatsfalse. And Schwab has not said he has an agenda to establish a totalitarian global regime using the coronavirus to depopulate the Earth and reorganize society. Thats part of aconspiracy theorythats come to be calledThe Great Resetthat has beendebunkedmanytimes.

The United Nations World Health Organization is frequently painted as a global force for evil, too, with detractors saying it is using vaccination to control or harm people. But the WHO has not declared thata new pandemicis happening, as some have claimed. Its current pandemic preparedness treaty is in no way positioned to remove human rights protections or restrict freedoms, asone post said. And the organization has not announced plans to deploy troops to corral people andforcibly vaccinate them. The WHO is, however, working on a new treaty to help countries improve coordination in response to future pandemics.

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Four Years After Shelter-in-Place, Covid-19 Misinformation Persists - Kaiser Health News

PADUCAH, KY In a move heralded by administrators as an essential investment in human capital and institutional sustainability, the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) Board of Regents approved an annual budget just shy of one billion dollars, featuring a $2,000 salary raise for full-time staff and a modest tuition hike for students, Kentucky Todays Tom Latek reports.

The decision, which was reached during an intensive two-day session at the West Kentucky Community and Technical College, was met with a measure of jubilation among the college systems faculty and staff. The new budget, slated for the fiscal year 2023-2024, stands at a formidable $992,588,400.

KCTCS Interim President Larry Ferguson extolled the boards decision. A sustainable investment in our workforce is important, Ferguson said. Their hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence are the driving forces behind our success as a community college system.

This salary increment marks the second consecutive year that the board has moved to increase base pay, indicative of an unwavering commitment to faculty and staff, who are seen as the backbone of the institution.

However, this budget also signals an increase in tuition fees, albeit modest. The board unanimously decided to increase tuition by $4 per credit hour across all KCTCS colleges. This puts in-state tuition at $186 per credit hour, while out-of-state students will need to budget $250 per credit hour. Notably, despite this augmentation, KCTCS tuition still undercuts other Kentucky institutions and is about half the cost of university tuition in the state.

Additionally, the Regents gave their nod to the initial recommendations from a sweeping study conducted by Huron Consulting Group. The study, which was commissioned last year, scrutinizes a wide spectrum of the institutions business practices.

Hurons preliminary recommendations are based on an amalgam of priorities, including space utilization, academic program optimization, and financial and organizational assessments.

James Stevens, Chair of the Board of Regents, put the decision in perspective, considering KCTCSs milestone 25th anniversary. Taking a detailed look at how we are currently conducting business and making some necessary adjustments is the only way forward towards those next twenty-five years, he remarked.

A more comprehensive report delineating Hurons findings and recommendations will be published in the near future.

KCTCS, a colossus in Kentuckys higher education landscape with 16 colleges under its aegis, caters to nearly 100,000 students each academic year. This budget, a testament to its growth and commitment to quality education, highlights the pivotal role KCTCS plays in the broader educational ecosystem in Kentucky.

Educators, students, and stakeholders will be watching keenly as KCTCS embarks on the implementation of this ambitious budget and the possible reverberations across the state and beyond.

Photo credit: KCTCS

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State House kills bill that would have banned Covid-19 vaccine mandates, after it takes a fast, unusual tr ... - The Lexington Times

Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024 Neph Rivera : contact

Four years after COVID-19 began to spread worldwide, a University of Texas at Arlington social worker says work still needs to be done to address the importance of getting vaccinated.

Research led by Hui Huang, associate professor in the School of Social Work, shows some apprehension remains among pregnant woman in getting vaccinated against the virus. The findings are published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

Huang and her colleagues took an innovative approach in gathering feedback from pregnant women by partnering with the app Count the Kicks to analyze pregnancy survey results from women who had recently given birth. For the study, the team took a close look at responses regarding beliefs and behaviors related to COVID-19 vaccinations and found about two-thirds of respondents had been vaccinated.

Previous studies focused on asking for patients willingness to get the vaccine but did not explore if they actually received it, Huang said. This was one innovative aspect of our work.

In addition, the findings revealed no relationship between vaccination and birth outcome, reinforcing the scientific communitys belief that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe for expecting moms.

When those who were not vaccinated were asked why, their primary concerns were safety of their unborn child, lack of trust in the vaccine and a concern over side effects. Results also revealed that vaccination rates are lower among African American mothers. Huang suspects, based on empirical evidence from other studies, that this is due to a feeling of distrust that some in the African American community have toward the medical system.

They have historical trauma with the medical system due to unethical research and medical practice done to the community, she said. Another concern is social media misinformation. Those concerns could be among the reasons why minority groups are more hesitant to get vaccinated.

Huang says a team effort is still needed to not just stress the importance of the vaccine and the fact that it is safe, but also to increase its accessibility in all communities.

We need to get the information out there, she said. We can do this, for example, through public awareness campaigns engaging trusted spokespersons, especially those from minority populations who can demonstrate the vaccine is safe to take.

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UTA study: Vaccination mistrust still widespread - News Center - The University of Texas at Arlington - uta.edu

GAITHERSBURG, Md. - Novavax , Inc. (NASDAQ:), a biotechnology company specializing in protein-based vaccines, announced its recent findings on an updated COVID-19 vaccine and the development of its influenza and COVID-19-Influenza Combination (CIC) vaccine candidates at the World Vaccine Congress in Washington, DC, which will take place from April 2 to 4, 2024.

The company shared new data from its ongoing research on the updated XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccine, NVX-CoV2601, in participants who had previously received mRNA vaccines. The findings indicated that the updated vaccine elicited strong neutralizing antibody responses against the XBB.1.5 subvariant and the currently circulating JN.1 subvariant.

Additionally, the safety and reactogenicity profile of NVX-CoV2601 was consistent with Novavax's original COVID-19 vaccine, NVX-CoV2373.

Novavax also highlighted differences in immunoglobulin (IgG) subclass responses and Fc-mediated effector functions observed between mRNA and protein-based COVID-19 vaccines. These details will be further discussed during the congress presentations.

The timeline for the Phase 3 trial of Novavax's influenza and CIC vaccine candidates is set to begin in the second half of 2024. The company will recap data to date and provide an overview of these vaccine candidates during the event.

Dr. Robert Walker, Chief Medical Officer at Novavax, is scheduled to contribute to a panel discussion titled "The Future of COVID-19 Vaccinations" on April 3. The panel will explore the development of broadly protective antigens and combination vaccines.

The presentations by Novavax at the World Vaccine Congress will include safety and immunogenicity of the Novavax XBB.1.5 SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, distinct differences in IgG4 switch and Fc effector functions between mRNA and Novavax protein-based COVID vaccination, and updates on the company's influenza and COVID-influenza combination vaccine.

Novavax's vaccine platform combines recombinant protein technology, nanoparticle technology, and its patented Matrix-M adjuvant to enhance immune responses. The company's product portfolio includes a COVID-19 vaccine, and its pipeline features a combination vaccine for COVID-19 and influenza. Novavax's adjuvant is also part of the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine developed by the University of Oxford and the Serum Institute of India.

This information is based on a press release statement from Novavax.

As Novavax, Inc. (NASDAQ:NVAX) continues to make strides in vaccine development, highlighted by their presentations at the World Vaccine Congress, the financial health and market performance of the company remain critical factors for investors.

With a market capitalization of $668.98 million, Novavax is navigating through a challenging period. The company's revenue for the last twelve months as of Q4 2023 stands at $983.71 million, yet it has experienced a significant revenue decline of 50.36% during the same period. This decline is mirrored in the quarterly figures, with an 18.48% drop in Q4 2023. These figures are crucial for investors to consider, as they reflect the company's current financial trajectory.

InvestingPro Tips reveal that Novavax holds more cash than debt on its balance sheet, which is a positive sign of liquidity. However, the company is quickly burning through cash, which, coupled with the fact that it does not pay a dividend, may raise concerns about its cash flow sustainability. Analysts also point out that Novavax is expected to see a sales decline in the current year and do not anticipate the company will be profitable this year. These insights suggest that while Novavax is advancing scientifically, it faces financial challenges that investors should monitor closely.

For those interested in a deeper analysis, there are additional InvestingPro Tips available, which can be accessed through the InvestingPro platform. For instance, investors might find it noteworthy that Novavax is trading at a low revenue valuation multiple and that the stock price has been quite volatile. To gain access to these insights and more, use the coupon code PRONEWS24 to get an additional 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription. Currently, there are 11 additional tips listed on InvestingPro that can provide further guidance for those evaluating Novavax's financial health and investment potential.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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Novavax reports progress on updated COVID-19 vaccine By Investing.com - Investing.com