Allergy & Immunology
Why the AstraZeneca-Oxford Covid-19 vaccine is different. It does not require extremely cold temperatures for storage, and the price will be “a fraction” of the expense of the other vaccine candidates
24 Nov, 2020 | 09:32h | UTCWhy the AstraZeneca-Oxford Covid-19 vaccine is different – Vox
Emergency COVID-vaccine approvals pose a dilemma for scientists. It could complicate efforts to study long-term outcomes, such as safety, how long protection lasts and whether the jab prevents infection or just the disease
24 Nov, 2020 | 09:28h | UTCWhy emergency COVID-vaccine approvals pose a dilemma for scientists – Nature
Covid-19: Oxford University vaccine shows 70% protection
23 Nov, 2020 | 09:54h | UTCCovid-19: Oxford University vaccine shows 70% protection – BBC
News release: Oxford University breakthrough on global COVID-19 vaccine
Commentary on Twitter
Today marks an important milestone in the fight against #COVID19. Interim data show the #OxfordVaccine is 70.4% effective, & tests on two dose regimens show that it could be 90%, moving us one step closer to supplying it at low cost around the world>> https://t.co/fnHnKSqftT pic.twitter.com/2KYXPxFNz1
— University of Oxford (@UniofOxford) November 23, 2020
Phase 2 trial of Oxford COVID-19 vaccine finds it is safe and provokes immune response in young as well as in older adults
20 Nov, 2020 | 08:50h | UTCCommentaries: Covid: Oxford vaccine shows ‘encouraging’ immune response in older adults – BBC AND Age and frailty in COVID-19 vaccine development – The Lancet AND Expert reaction to phase 2 trial safety and immunogenicity data from the Oxford COVID-19 vaccine trial including in healthy older adults – Science Media Centre AND Phase 2 trial of Oxford COVID-19 vaccine in healthy older adults finds it is safe and provokes immune response – The Lancet
Commentary on Twitter
NEW—UK’s #COVID19 vaccine shows similar safety and immunogenicity results in healthy older adults (aged 56 years & over) to those seen in adults aged 18-55 years: finding from a single-blind, randomised, controlled, phase 2 trial https://t.co/OKDSySPwfK pic.twitter.com/JyXRk5ZzPT
— The Lancet (@TheLancet) November 19, 2020
Pfizer and BioNTech to submit Covid-19 vaccine data to FDA as full results show 95% efficacy
19 Nov, 2020 | 09:36h | UTCPfizer and BioNTech to submit Covid-19 vaccine data to FDA as full results show 95% efficacy – STAT
News release: Pfizer and Biontech conclude phase 3 study of Covid-19 vaccine candidate, meeting all primary efficacy endpoints
Commentaries: ‘Incredible milestone for science.’ Pfizer and BioNTech update their promising COVID-19 vaccine result – Science AND Pfizer: COVID-19 shot 95% effective, seeking clearance soon – Associated Press AND Expert reaction to announcement by Pfizer that they have concluded the Phase III study of their COVID-19 vaccine candidate after demonstrating 95% efficacy – Science Media Centre AND Covid vaccine: Pfizer says ‘94% effective in over-65s’ – BBC
Opinion: For billion-dollar COVID vaccines, basic government-funded science laid the groundwork
19 Nov, 2020 | 09:33h | UTC
Chinese Covid-19 vaccine candidate (CoronaVac) appears safe and induces an immune response in healthy volunteers in phase 1/2 clinical trial
18 Nov, 2020 | 09:19h | UTCCommentaries: Covid-19: Chinese vaccine ‘successful in mid-stage trials’ – BBC AND Expecting the unexpected with COVID-19 vaccines – The Lancet Infectious Diseases
Commentary on Twitter
NEW—Chinese #COVID19 vaccine candidate (CoronaVac) based on inactivated SARS-CoV-2 virus appears safe & induces an immune response in healthy volunteers: finding from a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 1/2 clinical trial @TheLancetInfDis https://t.co/0AC0fP53dI pic.twitter.com/W3gMdqLzTG
— The Lancet (@TheLancet) November 18, 2020
[Preprint] Study suggests immunity to the Coronavirus may last years
18 Nov, 2020 | 09:20h | UTCImmunological memory to SARS-CoV-2 assessed for greater than six months after infection – bioRxiv
Commentaries: Immunity to the Coronavirus May Last Years, New Data Hint – New York Times AND Could coronavirus immunity last YEARS? Study finds even survivors who had mild COVID-19 are protected for at least 8 months and their immune ‘memory’ may last MUCH longer – Daily Mail AND COVID-19: Study Suggests Durable Immune Response After SARS-CoV-2 Infection – NEJM Journal Watch
Commentary from the author on Twitter (thread – click for more)
1/ Our pre-print on immune memory to SARS-CoV-2 is out today. To our knowledge, this is the largest such study for any acute infection.
The upshot is that there is substantial immune memory after COVID-19.
Lots of stuff in this manuscript.https://t.co/lSAyZp0XiK@SetteLab
— Prof. Shane Crotty (@profshanecrotty) November 17, 2020
[Press release – not published yet] Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate shows 94.5% protection in an interim analysis of the phase 3 COVE study
17 Nov, 2020 | 09:55h | UTCPress release: Moderna’s COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate Meets its Primary Efficacy Endpoint in the First Interim Analysis of the Phase 3 COVE Study
See also: Moderna Announces Longer Shelf Life for its COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate at Refrigerated Temperatures
Commentaries: What Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine results mean for ending the pandemic – Vox AND Moderna follows Pfizer with exciting vaccine news – how to read these dramatic developments – The Conversation AND Moderna’s COVID Vaccine Is 95% Effective – Independent NIH-Appointed Board Assessment – Higher Storage Temperature Make It Even Better News – Health Policy Watch AND Moderna’s Vaccine News “Encouraging” But Won’t Solve Immediate Problem of Virus Surge in Europe & Americas – WHO – Health Policy Watch AND COVID vaccine excitement builds as Moderna reports third positive result – Nature AND Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine is strongly effective, early look at data show – STAT AND With strong data on two Covid-19 vaccines, we have more answers about the road ahead — and questions too – STAT AND Early data show Moderna’s COVID vaccine 94.5% effective – CIDRAP AND A Note Of Caution On Moderna’s Promising Covid-19 Vaccine News – Forbes AND Promising Interim Results from Clinical Trial of NIH-Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine – NIH News Releases AND Moderna: Covid vaccine shows nearly 95% protection – BBC AND Latest vaccine success is good news but high price may restrict access – The Guardian AND ‘Just beautiful’—Another COVID-19 vaccine, from newcomer Moderna, succeeds in large-scale trial – Science AND Moderna trial success gives world more hope in race to end pandemic – Reuters AND Expert reaction to Moderna announcement of its phase 3 vaccine interim results – Science Media Centre
Opinion: “Why the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine is a cause for optimism — and skepticism. Vaccine science by press release has to stop”
11 Nov, 2020 | 09:25h | UTCWhy the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine is a cause for optimism — and skepticism – Vox
Related commentaries: Champagne and questions greet first data showing that a COVID-19 vaccine works – Science AND 90% efficacy for Pfizer’s COVID-19 mRNA vaccine is striking. But we need to wait for the full data – The Conversation
See also: Science by press release: When the story gets ahead of the science – CNN
Podcast on chronic cough. Don’t be afraid to try empiric therapies! PPIs for GERD, antihistamines and intranasal steroids for post-nasal drip, and inhaled corticosteroids for post-viral cough are generally low-risk and will treat many cases.
11 Nov, 2020 | 09:04h | UTC#241 Chronic Cough – The Curbsiders Internal Medicine Podcast
News Release [Not Published Yet]: Vaccine candidate 90% effective against Covid-19 according to manufacturer
10 Nov, 2020 | 09:41h | UTCNews Release: Pfizer and Biontech announce vaccine candidate against Covid-19 achieved success in first interim analysis from phase 3 study
Commentaries: What Pfizer’s landmark COVID vaccine results mean for the pandemic – Nature AND Covid-19: Vaccine candidate may be more than 90% effective, interim results indicate – The BMJ AND Covid vaccine: First ‘milestone’ vaccine offers 90% protection – BBC AND Hopes rise for end of pandemic as Pfizer says vaccine is 90% effective – The Guardian AND Four reasons for encouragement based on Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine results – STAT AND Expert reaction to Pfizer and BioNTech reporting interim results from phase 3 COVID-19 vaccine trial – Science Media Centre
Study shows preexisting cross-reactive antibodies against common cold coronaviruses may protect against SARS-CoV-2 and are more common in children
9 Nov, 2020 | 01:28h | UTCPreexisting and de novo humoral immunity to SARS-CoV-2 in humans – Science
Commentaries: Pre-existing coronavirus antibodies could help protect children against new pandemic strain – Francis Crick Institute AND Expert reaction to study looking at pre-existing coronavirus antibodies – Science Media Centre
Commentary on Twitter
Do some people have cross-reactive antibodies to #SARSCoV2? If so, who are they? And are these cross-reactive Abs protective against #COVID19? A fascinating study by @KevinWNg et al provides answers. Thread. (1/n)
https://t.co/U9UVrwztX5— Prof. Akiko Iwasaki (@VirusesImmunity) November 7, 2020
Challenges in creating herd immunity to SARS-CoV-2 infection by mass vaccination. Efficacy, duration of protection, and percentage of the population receiving the vaccine are key issues
5 Nov, 2020 | 09:09h | UTCChallenges in creating herd immunity to SARS-CoV-2 infection by mass vaccination – The Lancet
Commentary on Twitter
The real deal herd immunity, via a #SARSCoV2 vaccine, will be a formidable feat to achieve, with efficacy, coverage levels and duration of protection as key determinants https://t.co/3jeXkO5Yak @TheLancet pic.twitter.com/mXcDpHbHR6
— Eric Topol (@EricTopol) November 5, 2020
Regeneron: Independent committee recommends holding trial enrollment in hospitalized patients with high oxygen requirements
2 Nov, 2020 | 02:31h | UTC
Commentary on Twitter
More potential evidence against antibody drugs late in course of #COVID19: Regeneron says independent cmte has recommended not enrolling pts on high oxygen into trial "based on a potential safety signal and an unfavorable risk/benefit profile at this time" https://t.co/moHtuhV9cP
— Meg Tirrell (@megtirrell) October 30, 2020
Scientists warn Americans are expecting too much from a vaccine
2 Nov, 2020 | 02:25h | UTCScientists Warn Americans Are Expecting Too Much From a Vaccine – Kaiser Health News
Randomized phase 2 trial: SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody LY-CoV555 in outpatients with Covid-19
29 Oct, 2020 | 09:16h | UTCAudio Interview: A New Monoclonal Antibody for Covid-19 – New England Journal of Medicine
Commentaries on Twitter
BLAZE-1🔥 – outpatient trial of LY-Cov555, mAb recently dropped from ACTIV-3 inpatient trial
Only 1 of the 3 mAb dosages (middle one 🤷♂️) ⬇️ VL by d11
mAb assoc with modest ⬇️ in healthcare visits (1.6% vs 6.3% for placebo)
😑 Far from a game changerhttps://t.co/zZMGlodaaF pic.twitter.com/ofs1UgN1ZA
— Ilan Schwartz is on🦋 (@GermHunterMD) October 28, 2020
Phase 2 Lilly #SARSCoV2 monoclonal antibody outpatient trial just published @NEJM
The lack of a dose response for viral load reduction +modest effects on symptoms do not make this look like a potent intervention https://t.co/oyRG8fUNHf pic.twitter.com/uobuCIznmD— Eric Topol (@EricTopol) October 28, 2020
What defines an efficacious COVID-19 vaccine? A review of the challenges assessing the clinical efficacy of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2
29 Oct, 2020 | 09:09h | UTC
Commentary on Twitter
NEW—What defines an efficacious #COVID19 vaccine? Experts @JennerInstitute@OxfordVacGroup @OxPrimaryCare & @OxfordBRC outline key challenges for assessing clinical efficacy of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 @TheLancetInfDis https://t.co/QsLnLdUiYE pic.twitter.com/skpb0rfSdF
— The Lancet (@TheLancet) October 28, 2020
Report: Robust neutralizing antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 infection persist for months
29 Oct, 2020 | 09:08h | UTCRobust neutralizing antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 infection persist for months – Science
Commentary on Twitter
Just published @ScienceMagazine. >30,000 people w/mild to moderate #COVID19 have excellent IgG antibody titers for several months. No disappearing act. Important👍👍https://t.co/4kCZY8qcmo @MountSinaiNYC @FatimaAmanat @DrDavidReich @florian_krammer @IcahnMountSinai et al
, pic.twitter.com/B3LJ6JaBDa— Eric Topol (@EricTopol) October 28, 2020
SARS-CoV-2 antibodies detectable up to seven months post COVID-19 onset
27 Oct, 2020 | 09:44h | UTC
Commentary on Twitter
Neutralizing antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 Spike RBD, 40-199 days after symptom end:
– ~90% of patients have
– ~75% of them (~68%) have high titre (>300)
– no age difference
– higher in hospital cases and males
– lower with steroidsShould last a few years.https://t.co/OYZV6gRfyA https://t.co/Zdhj3W7yGw pic.twitter.com/eTUF870q05
— ice9 (@__ice9) October 24, 2020
Understanding protection from SARS-CoV-2 by studying reinfection
27 Oct, 2020 | 09:42h | UTCUnderstanding protection from SARS-CoV-2 by studying reinfection – Nature Medicine
COVID-19 antibody responses are related to the severity of symptoms
27 Oct, 2020 | 09:43h | UTCCommentaries: Studies show long-term COVID-19 immune response – CIDRAP AND COVID-19 immunity may be related to the severity of one’s symptoms, study finds – CTV News
Commentary on Twitter
A new paper @NatureMicrobiol shows the neutralizing antibody response to #SARSCoV2 is proportional to severity of illness, with longitudinal assessment, including a cohort of health care workers https://t.co/Ie4LAP8GZx @KingsCollegeLon and collaborators
— Eric Topol (@EricTopol) October 26, 2020
Review: Prospects for a safe COVID-19 vaccine
27 Oct, 2020 | 09:41h | UTCProspects for a safe COVID-19 vaccine – Science Translational Medicine
Perspective: The race to make COVID antibody therapies cheaper and more potent
25 Oct, 2020 | 23:43h | UTCThe race to make COVID antibody therapies cheaper and more potent – Nature
Coronavirus vaccine volunteer in Brazil’s AstraZeneca trial dies – but authorities say trial to continue
23 Oct, 2020 | 09:08h | UTCSee also: AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine trial Brazil volunteer dies, trial to continue – Reuters AND Expert reaction to media reports suggesting a person in Brazil who was taking part in the Brazil arm of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine trial has died – Science Media Centre