Health

Novavax Announces Initiation of COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Study in Adolescents in Phase 3 PREVENT-19 Trial

By Patrick Herron

GAITHERSBURG, Md., April 22, 2022/PRNewswire/ — Novavax, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVAX), a biotechnology company dedicated to developing and commercializing next-generation vaccines for serious infectious diseases, has initiated administration of the first booster doses of NVX-CoV2373, the company’s protein-based COVID-19 vaccine, in the pediatric expansion of the PREVENT-19 pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial. The study will evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of a third dose of NVX-CoV2373 among trial participants aged 12 through 17.

“We see the ongoing need for alternative vaccine options because we are continuing to monitor spikes in COVID-19,” said Gregory M. Glenn, M.D., President, Research and Development, Novavax. “The expansion of our PREVENT-19 booster trial into the pediatric population reinforces our commitment to seek to make our vaccine available to a broader population.”

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Novavax’ COVID-19-Influenza Vaccine Trial Shows Feasibility of Combination Vaccine

By Patrick Herron

“We continue to evaluate the dynamic public health landscape and believe there may be a need for recurrent boosters to fight both COVID-19 and seasonal influenza,” said Gregory M. Glenn, M.D., President of Research and Development, Novavax. “We’re encouraged by these data and the potential path forward for a combination COVID-19-influenza vaccine as well as stand-alone vaccines for influenza and COVID-19.”

The safety and tolerability profile of the combination vaccine was consistent with the stand-alone NVX-CoV2373 and quadrivalent nanoparticle influenza vaccine reference formulations in the trial. The combination vaccine was found to be generally well tolerated. Serious adverse were rare and none were assessed as being related to the vaccine.

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CDC Extends Travel Mask Requirement Until May 3rd, Masks Will Continue to be Required on Ride On and Other Public Transportation

By Patrick Herron

The Associated Press is reporting that the CDC will now be extending the mask requirement for travel until May 3rd to “allow more time to study the BA.2 omicron subvariant that is now responsible for the vast majority of cases in the U.S.”

Yesterday we reported that residents will no longer be required to wear face coverings when they are passengers on Metro, Metro Bus, Ride-On, and in taxis (including Uber & Lyft) after April 18. That is no longer the case.

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Council to Introduce Resolution That Affirms MoCo’s Support for Public Health Officials After Former Public Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles Resigned After Receiving Threats and Racist/Homophobic Messages

By Patrick Herron

On Tuesday, Council Vice President Evan Glass will introduce a resolution affirming Montgomery County’s support for public health officials. The resolution calls for unity and civil discourse after former health officer Dr. Travis Gayles received threats to his safety, as well as racist and homophobic messages. According to a press release, “two candidates for the vacant Public Health Officer position have declined offers of employment citing the public vitriol and concerns for their safety.”

Back in September, Gayles told WTOP, “unfortunately, public health folks have been made to be the scapegoats or enemies of progress,” when it came to reopening businesses and schools, when “we just want to make sure that people are safe.”

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Gaithersburg Based Novavax Announces Launch of Global Vaccine Education Programs

By Patrick Herron

Per Novavax:

GAITHERSBURG, Md., March 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Novavax, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVAX), a biotechnology company dedicated to developing and commercializing next-generation vaccines for serious infectious diseases, today announced the launch of its global unbranded ‘We Do Vaccines‘ and ‘Know Our Vax‘ programs, educational efforts aimed to help protect the health of people everywhere in the fight against COVID-19 and other deadly infectious diseases, such as influenza.

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CDC to Ease Nationwide Mask Requirements for Travel

By Patrick Herron

The CDC plans on easing federal mask requirements for travel on buses, subways, and airplanes in the U.S.

Today, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), at the request of the CDC, extended its face mask requirement for, “individuals across all transportation networks throughout the United States, including at airports, onboard commercial aircraft, on over-the-road buses, and on commuter bus and rail systems” until April 18. It was set to expire on March 18.

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Maryland’s COVID-19 Hospitalizations Drop Below 300, State Reports Lowest Case Rate in U.S.

By Patrick Herron

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan today announced that the State of Maryland’s COVID-19 hospitalizations have dropped below 300, as the state is again reporting the country’s lowest case rate.

Hospitalizations: 296, ICU: 60. Since the Omicron peak of 3,452, Maryland’s COVID-19 hospitalizations have now declined by 91.4%, and are at their lowest level since Aug. 1, 2021.

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