AstraZeneca is withdrawing its COVID-19 vaccine, Vaxzevria, globally citing low demand and the availability of other updated vaccines. The vaccine, never approved by the FDA in the US, saved over 6.5 million lives in its first year of use with more than 3 billion doses supplied worldwide. Poland asks Pfizer to renegotiate COVID-19 vaccine deal amidst AstraZeneca's decision. Stock prices of vaccine makers rise due to the Biden administration's push for COVID shots.
The Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID‑19 vaccine, sold under the brand names Covishield and Vaxzevria among others, is a viral vector vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19. It was developed in the United Kingdom by Oxford University and British-Swedish company AstraZeneca, using as a vector the modified chimpanzee adenovirus ChAdOx1. The vaccine is given by intramuscular injection. Studies carried out in 2020 showed that the efficacy of the vaccine is 76.0% at preventing symptomatic COVID-19 beginning at 22 days following the first dose and 81.3% after the second dose. A study in Scotland found that, for symptomatic COVID-19 infection after the second dose, the vaccine is 81% effective against the Alpha variant (lineage B.1.1.7) and 61% against the Delta variant (lineage B.1.617.2).The vaccine is stable at refrigerator temperatures and has a good safety profile, with side effects including injection-site pain, headache, and nausea, all generally resolving within a few days. More rarely, anaphylaxis may occur; the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has 268 reports out of some 21.2 million vaccinations as of 14 April 2021. The vaccine had been controversial due to allegations that it could cause deaths and serious injury through its side effects of blood clots. In very rare cases (around 1 in 100,000 people), the vaccine has been associated with an increased risk of blood clots when in combination with low levels of blood platelets (embolic and thrombotic events after COVID-19 vaccination). According to the European Medicines Agency, as of 4 April 2021, a total of 222 cases of extremely rare blood clots had been recorded among 34 million people who had been vaccinated in the European Economic Area (a percentage of 0.0007%). AstraZeneca initially denied the link, saying "we do not accept that TTS is caused by the vaccine at a generic level". However, in legal documents filed in February 2024, AstraZeneca finally admitted its vaccine 'can, in very rare cases, cause TTS'.On 30 December 2020, the vaccine was first approved for use in the UK vaccination programme, and the first vaccination outside of a trial was administered on 4 January 2021. The vaccine has since been approved by several medicine agencies worldwide, such as the European Medicines Agency (EMA), and the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (provisional approval in February 2021), and was approved for an Emergency Use Listing by the World Health Organization (WHO). As of January 2022, more than 2.5 billion doses of the vaccine had been released to more than 170 countries worldwide. Some countries have limited its use to elderly people at higher risk for severe COVID-19 illness due to concerns over the very rare side effects of the vaccine in younger individuals.
In the United States, the worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in 103,436,829 confirmed cases with 1,174,676 all-time deaths, the most of any country, and the 20th-highest per capita worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic ranks first on the list of disasters in the United States by death toll; it was the third-leading cause of death in the U.S. in 2020, behind heart disease and cancer. From 2019 to 2020, U.S. life expectancy dropped by 3 years for Hispanic and Latino Americans, 2.9 years for African Americans, and 1.2 years for white Americans. These effects persisted as U.S. deaths due to COVID-19 in 2021 exceeded those in 2020, and life expectancy continued to fall from 2020 to 2021.On December 31, 2019, China announced the discovery of a cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan. The first American case was reported on January 20, and President Donald Trump declared the U.S. outbreak a public health emergency on January 31. Restrictions were placed on flights arriving from China, but the initial U.S. response to the pandemic was otherwise slow, in terms of preparing the healthcare system, stopping other travel, and testing.The first known American deaths occurred in February. On March 6, 2020, Trump allocated $8.3 billion to fight the outbreak and declared a national emergency on March 13. The government also purchased large quantities of medical equipment, invoking the Defense Production Act of 1950 to assist. By mid-April, disaster declarations were made by all states and territories as they all had increasing cases. A second wave of infections began in June, following relaxed restrictions in several states, leading to daily cases surpassing 60,000. By mid-October, a third surge of cases began; there were over 200,000 new daily cases during parts of December 2020 and January 2021.COVID-19 vaccines became available in December 2020, under emergency use, beginning the national vaccination program, with the first vaccine officially approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on August 23, 2021. Studies have shown them to be highly protective against severe illness, hospitalization, and death. In comparison with fully vaccinated people, the CDC found that those who were unvaccinated were from 5 to nearly 30 times more likely to become either infected or hospitalized. There has nonetheless been some vaccine hesitancy for various reasons, although side effects are rare. There have also been numerous reports that unvaccinated COVID-19 patients have strained the capacity of hospitals throughout the country, forcing many to turn away patients with life-threatening diseases.A fourth rise in infections began in March 2021 amidst the rise of the Alpha variant, a more easily transmissible variant first detected in the United Kingdom. That was followed by a rise of the Delta variant, an even more infectious mutation first detected in India, leading to increased efforts to ensure safety. The January 2022 emergence of the Omicron variant, which was first discovered in South Africa, led to record highs in hospitalizations and cases in early 2022, with as many as 1.5 million new infections reported in a single day. By the end of 2022, an estimated 77.5% of Americans had had COVID-19 at least once, according to the CDC.State and local responses to the pandemic during the public health emergency included the requirement to wear a face mask in specified situations (mask mandates), prohibition and cancellation of large-scale gatherings (including festivals and sporting events), stay-at-home orders, and school closures. Disproportionate numbers of cases have been observed among Black and Latino populations, as well as elevated levels of vaccine hesitancy, and there was a sharp increase in reported incidents of xenophobia and racism against Asian Americans. Clusters of infections and deaths have occurred in many areas. The COVID-19 pandemic also led to misinformation and conspiracy theories and highlighted weaknesses in the U.S. public health system.
A global study involving 99 million vaccine recipients across eight countries found that Pfizer, Moderna, and AstraZeneca vaccines are linked to higher risk of five medical conditions, including nerve-wasting and brain-swelling conditions. The research identified 12 conditions that could be associated with Covid vaccines, with heart muscle inflammation and brain swelling being among the most concerning. Despite the associations, the absolute risk of developing these conditions remains low, with only 2,000 cases reported among 13 billion vaccine doses administered. Covid vaccines are estimated to have prevented over 19 million deaths worldwide.
The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is a global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identified in an outbreak in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019, and spread to other areas of Asia and then worldwide in early 2020. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) on 30 January 2020. The WHO ended its PHEIC declaration on 5 May 2023. As of 3 March 2024, the pandemic has caused 7,031,395 confirmed deaths, ranking it fifth in the list of the deadliest epidemics and pandemics in history.COVID-19 symptoms range from asymptomatic to deadly, but most commonly include fever, sore throat, nocturnal cough, and fatigue. Transmission of the virus is often through airborne particles. Mutations have produced many strains (variants) with varying degrees of infectivity and virulence.COVID-19 vaccines were widely deployed in various countries beginning in December 2020. Treatments include novel antiviral drugs and symptom control. Common mitigation measures during the public health emergency included travel restrictions, lockdowns, business restrictions and closures, workplace hazard controls, mask mandates, quarantines, testing systems, and contact tracing of the infected.The pandemic caused severe social and economic disruption around the world, including the largest global recession since the Great Depression. Widespread supply shortages, including food shortages, were caused by supply chain disruptions and panic buying. Reduced human activity led to an unprecedented temporary decrease in pollution. Educational institutions and public areas were partially or fully closed in many jurisdictions, and many events were cancelled or postponed during 2020 and 2021. Telework became much more common for white-collar workers as the pandemic evolved. Misinformation circulated through social media and mass media, and political tensions intensified. The pandemic raised issues of racial and geographic discrimination, health equity, and the balance between public health imperatives and individual rights.
National regulatory authorities have granted full or emergency use authorizations for 40 COVID-19 vaccines.Ten vaccines have been approved for emergency or full use by at least one stringent regulatory authority recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO): Pfizer–BioNTech, Oxford–AstraZeneca, Sinopharm BIBP, Moderna, Janssen, CoronaVac, Covaxin, Novavax, Convidecia, and Sanofi–GSK. Seven others are under assessment by the WHO: Sputnik V, Sinopharm WIBP, Abdala, Zifivax, Corbevax, COVIran Barekat, and SCB-2019.Of the 40 vaccines, 16 have a full or emergency authorization in only one country, 12 in ten or fewer countries, and 12 in more than ten countries.Note that in some countries, vaccines may be authorized solely for travel purposes. They may not be approved for the general population. For example, the CoronaVac, Covishield, BBIBP-CorV and Covaxin vaccines are not part of Australia's national vaccination program; however, they are recognized for the purpose of travel to Australia.
A dad who suffered a brain injury just days after receiving a British-developed COVID vaccine has told Sky News he would never have had the jab if he had known of the risk of rare but serious side effects. Jamie Scott, who has two young boys and is now unable to work, is suing AstraZeneca for what he says is damage caused by the jab in April 2021. He alleges the pharmaceutical giant exaggerated the vaccine's effectiveness and downplayed its risks. AstraZeneca denies the claims made against them. In his first TV interview, Mr Scott told Sky News: "I took it to protect the elderly people around me.
The Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, sold under the brand name Comirnaty, is an mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine developed by the German biotechnology company BioNTech. For its development, BioNTech collaborated with the American company Pfizer to carry out clinical trials, logistics, and manufacturing. It is authorized for use in humans to provide protection against COVID-19, caused by infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The vaccine is given by intramuscular injection. It is composed of nucleoside-modified mRNA (modRNA) that encodes a mutated form of the full-length spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, which is encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles. Initial guidance recommended a two-dose regimen, given 21 days apart; this interval was subsequently extended to up to 42 days in the United States, and up to four months in Canada.Clinical trials began in April 2020; by November 2020, the vaccine had entered phase III clinical trials, with over 40,000 people participating. Interim analysis of study data showed a potential efficacy of 91.3% in preventing symptomatic infection within seven days of a second dose and no serious safety concerns. Most side effects are mild to moderate in severity and resolve within a few days. Common side effects include mild to moderate pain at the injection site, fatigue, and headaches. Reports of serious side effects, such as allergic reactions, remain very rare with no long-term complications documented.The vaccine is the first COVID‑19 vaccine to be authorized by a stringent regulatory authority for emergency use and the first to be approved for regular use. In December 2020, the United Kingdom was the first country to authorize its use on an emergency basis. It is authorized for use at some level in the majority of countries. On 23 August 2021, the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine became the first COVID-19 vaccine to be approved in the US by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The logistics of distributing and storing the vaccine present significant challenges due to the requirement for its storage at extremely low temperatures.In August 2022, a bivalent version of the vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent) was authorized for use as a booster dose in individuals aged twelve and older in the US. The following month, the BA.1 version of the bivalent vaccine (Comirnaty Original/Omicron BA.1 or tozinameran/riltozinameran) was authorized as a booster for use in the UK. The same month, the European Union authorized both the BA.1 and the BA.4/BA.5 (tozinameran/famtozinameran) booster versions of the bivalent vaccine.
AstraZeneca . . . . 2020 .
A COVID‑19 vaccine is a vaccine intended to provide acquired immunity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‑19).Prior to the COVID‑19 pandemic, an established body of knowledge existed about the structure and function of coronaviruses causing diseases like severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). This knowledge accelerated the development of various vaccine platforms in early 2020. The initial focus of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines was on preventing symptomatic, often severe, illness. In 2020, the first COVID‑19 vaccines were developed and made available to the public through emergency authorizations and conditional approvals. Initially, most COVID‑19 vaccines were two-dose vaccines, with the sole exception being the single-dose Janssen COVID‑19 vaccine. However, immunity from the vaccines has been found to wane over time, requiring people to get booster doses of the vaccine to maintain protection against COVID‑19.The COVID‑19 vaccines are widely credited for their role in reducing the spread of COVID‑19 and reducing the severity and death caused by COVID‑19. According to a June 2022 study, COVID‑19 vaccines prevented an additional 14.4 to 19.8 million deaths in 185 countries and territories from 8 December 2020 to 8 December 2021. Many countries implemented phased distribution plans that prioritized those at highest risk of complications, such as the elderly, and those at high risk of exposure and transmission, such as healthcare workers.Common side effects of COVID‑19 vaccines include soreness, redness, rash, inflammation at the injection site, fatigue, headache, myalgia (muscle pain), and arthralgia (joint pain), which resolve without medical treatment within a few days. COVID‑19 vaccination is safe for people who are pregnant or are breastfeeding.As of 1 February 2024, 13.57 billion doses of COVID‑19 vaccines have been administered worldwide, based on official reports from national public health agencies. By December 2020, more than 10 billion vaccine doses had been preordered by countries, with about half of the doses purchased by high-income countries comprising 14% of the world's population.Despite the extremely rapid development of effective mRNA and viral vector vaccines, worldwide vaccine equity has not been achieved. The development and use of whole inactivated virus (WIV) and protein-based vaccines have also been recommended, especially for use in developing countries.The 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman for the development of effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19.
Boots in England will provide the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid vaccine to individuals aged 12 and above who are not eligible for an NHS booster shot, at a cost of 98.95 per dose. This move follows Pharmadoctor's announcement of offering Covid jabs through partner pharmacies at around 75-85 for Pfizer/BioNTech and 45-55 for Novavax. Experts express concerns about the high prices limiting accessibility, while highlighting the importance of offering boosters privately to ensure widespread protection. The availability of private Covid vaccines is seen as a shift in response to the changing vaccination strategy in the UK.
Pfizer reported $14.9 billion in revenue, beating estimates by 6.9%. Without COVID products, revenue was $12.5 billion, up 11%. Stock has declined 30% in the past year, trading near 52-week low. Concerns include lack of near-term blockbuster drugs, expiring patents, and pressure from Medicare drug pricing negotiations. Investors cautious despite CEO's efforts to bolster the pipeline and maintain dividend. Pfizer plans to de-lever from acquisitions, prioritize dividend growth, and reinvest in R&D. CEO reassures dividend security amidst revenue challenges. Stock technical analysis indicates a bearish trend with potential downside.
Pfizer's revenue for the first quarter of 2024 decreased by 20% year-on-year to 11.9 billion, with a significant 88% drop in Covid vaccine sales. Despite this slump, the company raised its profit forecast for 2024 by 5%, aiming to achieve at least 3.5 billion in savings for the year. Pfizer is shifting focus to cancer treatments following the acquisition of Seagen for 34 billion. Excluding Covid products, revenue increased by 11%. Pfizer expects revenue of $8 billion from its Covid-19 vaccine and antiviral treatment in 2024.
AstraZeneca, which developed and manufactured the Covid vaccine Covishield. recently admitted that the vaccine could cause TTS (a condition that may cause blood clots and low platelet count) as a side effect in some people. Since the news came out, social media has been abuzz with posts about Covishield , which was one of the two vaccines available in India during the pandemic. Some of these posts claim most Indians are at risk of TTS now. A fact check by The Healthy Indian Project (THIP) indicates that the claim is only half true.
AstraZeneca's first-quarter revenue reached $12.7 billion, exceeding analyst estimates of $11.8 billion, with oncology drugs contributing significantly to the growth. The company's core earnings per share rose by 12% to $2.06, and its shares increased by 5.9%. CEO Pascal Soriot faced shareholder revolt over his compensation package. AstraZeneca remains focused on reinvesting in the business and has a promising pipeline of drugs. The company's R&D investment is paying off, with expectations of more revenue streams from ongoing Phase III trials.
TTS is classified into 2 tiers by theCDC. AstraZeneca, a British pharmaceutical giant, has admitted that its Covid-19 vaccine can result in a rare side effect known as Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS). This acknowledgement follows a lawsuit filed against the company, alleging serious harm and deaths linked to the vaccine. According to court documents, Covishield, a vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, can, in rare instances, lead to this condition. This vaccine was extensively administered throughout India during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Federal Trade Commission is challenging patents on 20 brand name drugs, including the weight-loss injection Ozempic, alleging that certain patents filed by companies like Novo Nordisk and GlaxoSmithKline are inaccurate or misleading. By challenging these patents, the Biden administration aims to address industry practices that drive up pharmaceutical prices. Brand-name drugmakers use patents to protect their medicines and prevent generic competition, leading to inflated prescription drug costs for consumers. The FTC's recent actions follow a previous challenge to over 100 patents held by companies such as Abbvie and AstraZeneca.
Gold hits a new all-time high at $2,365.39 per ounce, rising by 14% since the beginning of 2024. Geopolitical tensions in Ukraine and the Middle East, along with inflation concerns, drive traders to invest in gold. Central banks, including China's, continue to add gold to their reserves. Silver prices have also increased due to high inflation over the years and strong industrial demand for materials like copper and silver. AstraZeneca's CEO faces controversy over his multi-million pay package, with a top shareholder supporting his compensation.
AstraZeneca has admitted in court for the first time that its Covid jab can cause a deadly blood clotting side effect known as thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS). This admission has led to a multi million-pound class action by families seeking compensation for injuries linked to the vaccine. Researchers believe the rare reaction occurs due to the modified cold virus in the vaccine mimicking a blood protein, leading to the immune system attacking it and causing blood clot formation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic emergency, a number of non-pharmaceutical interventions colloquially known as lockdowns (encompassing stay-at-home orders, curfews, quarantines, cordons sanitaires and similar societal restrictions) were implemented in numerous countries and territories around the world. These restrictions were established with the intention to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. By April 2020, about half of the world's population was under some form of lockdown, with more than 3.9 billion people in more than 90 countries or territories having been asked or ordered to stay at home by their governments. Although similar disease control measures have been used for hundreds of years, the scale of those implemented in the 2020s is thought to be unprecedented.Research and case studies have shown that lockdowns were generally effective at reducing the spread of COVID-19, therefore flattening the curve. The World Health Organization's recommendation on lockdowns is that they should be very brief, short-term measures to reorganize, regroup, rebalance resources, and protect health workers who are exhausted. To achieve a balance between restrictions and normal life, the WHO recommends a response to the pandemic that consists of strict personal hygiene, effective contact tracing, and isolating when ill.In addition to the health effects of lockdown restrictions, researchers have found the lockdowns have reduced crime and violence by armed non-state actors, such as the Islamic State, and other terrorist groups. They have also had profound negative economic impacts, and have been met with protests in some territories.
US stocks had a mixed day with the S&P 500 falling around 0.1%, the Dow Jones rising about 0.2%, and the Nasdaq remaining flat. Disappointing earnings from chipmakers like AMD and Super Micro Computer dampened AI hopes. The market is cautious ahead of the Federal Reserve's policy decision, with expectations of rates remaining high due to stubborn inflation. Companies like Pfizer, Mastercard, CVS, and Starbucks reported mixed results impacting their stock prices.
AstraZeneca has raised its annual dividend to $3.10 per share, citing confidence in its cancer drugs' performance. Shareholders are set to vote on CEO Pascal Soriot's controversial pay hike of up to $19 million. Influential shareholder advisory groups oppose the plan while major investor GQG Partners supports Soriot's turnaround efforts. AstraZeneca's revenue and earnings are expected to grow by double digits this year. The company's shares rose 1% after the dividend announcement.
Pfizer Inc. ( FY-zər) is an American multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology corporation headquartered at The Spiral in Manhattan, New York City. The company was established in 1849 in New York by two German entrepreneurs, Charles Pfizer (1824–1906) and his cousin Charles F. Erhart (1821–1891).Pfizer develops and produces medicines and vaccines for immunology, oncology, cardiology, endocrinology, and neurology. The company's largest products by sales are the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine ($11 billion in 2023 revenues), apixaban ($6 billion in 2023 revenues), a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine ($6 billion in 2023 revenues), palbociclib ($4 billion in 2023 revenues), and tafamidis ($3 billion in 2023 revenues). In 2023, 46% of the company's revenues came from the United States, 6% came from Japan, and 48% came from other countries.The company ranks 38th on the Fortune 500 and 39th on the Forbes Global 2000.
AstraZeneca plc () (AZ) is a British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company with its headquarters at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus in Cambridge, England. It has a portfolio of products for major diseases in areas including oncology, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, infection, neuroscience, respiratory, and inflammation. It has been involved in developing the Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.The company was founded in 1999 through the merger of the Swedish Astra AB and the British Zeneca Group (itself formed by the demerger of the pharmaceutical operations of Imperial Chemical Industries in 1993). Since the merger it has been among the world's largest pharmaceutical companies and has made numerous corporate acquisitions, including Cambridge Antibody Technology (in 2006), MedImmune (in 2007), Spirogen (in 2013) and Definiens (by MedImmune in 2014). It has its research and development concentrated in three strategic centres: Cambridge, England; Gothenburg, Sweden and Gaithersburg in Maryland, U.S.AstraZeneca traces its earliest corporate history to 1913, when Astra AB was formed by a large group of doctors and apothecaries in Södertälje. Throughout the twentieth century, it grew into the largest pharmaceutical company in Sweden. Its British counterpart, Zeneca PLC was formed in 1993 when ICI divested its pharmaceuticals businesses; Astra AB and Zeneca PLC merged six years later, with the chosen headquarters in the United Kingdom.AstraZeneca's primary listing is on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index; it also has a secondary listing on the Nasdaq Stockholm. AstraZeneca has one of the highest market capitalisations of pharmaceutical companies worldwide.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been efforts by scientists, governments, and others to determine the origin of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Similar to other outbreaks, the virus was derived from a bat-borne virus and most likely was transmitted to humans via another animal in nature, or during wildlife trade such as that in food markets. While other explanations, such as speculations that SARS-CoV-2 was accidentally released from a laboratory have been proposed, such explanations are not supported by evidence. Conspiracy theories about the virus's origin have also proliferated.SARS-CoV-2 has close genetic similarity to multiple previously identified bat coronaviruses, suggesting it crossed over into humans from bats. Research is ongoing as to whether SARS-CoV-2 came directly from bats or indirectly through an intermediate host, such as pangolins, civets, or raccoon dogs. Genomic sequence evidence indicates the spillover event introducing SARS-CoV-2 to humans likely occurred in late 2019. As with the 2002–2004 SARS-CoV-1 outbreak, efforts to trace the specific geographic and taxonomic origins of SARS-CoV-2 could take years, and results may be inconclusive.In July 2022, two papers published in Science described novel epidemiological and genetic evidence that suggested the pandemic likely began at the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market and did not come from a laboratory.
Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. expressed anger towards Dr. Anthony Fauci's COVID-19 response in a podcast with Glenn Beck, blaming Biden's presidency for Fauci avoiding jail. Kennedy criticized the lockdown policies and questioned Fauci's handling of the pandemic, advocating for treatments like ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine. Fauci, a key figure in Trump's and Biden's COVID responses, faced criticism for contradictory advice on masks. Trump defended not firing Fauci, stating he wasn't a major player in his administration. Kennedy highlighted the suppression of doctors' opinions during the pandemic and accused the CDC of altering childhood development benchmarks post-lockdowns.
Republicans demand a criminal investigation into EcoHealth Alliance President Dr. Peter Daszak for his ties to gain of function research in Wuhan. Daszak, who received federal funding for coronavirus research in China before the pandemic, is believed to have vital information on the Wuhan Institute of Virology's coronavirus activities pre-COVID-19. GOP seeks answers on violations of grant agreements. Rep Ronny Jackson labels Daszak as connected to Wuhan Lab funding and COVID cover-up, holding him responsible for ensuing disasters. Daszak, a key figure in coronavirus research, collaborated with WIV and NIAID with funding from Dr. Fauci and NIH.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2. The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease quickly spread worldwide, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic.The symptoms of COVID‑19 are variable but often include fever, cough, headache, fatigue, breathing difficulties, loss of smell, and loss of taste. Symptoms may begin one to fourteen days after exposure to the virus. At least a third of people who are infected do not develop noticeable symptoms. Of those who develop symptoms noticeable enough to be classified as patients, most (81%) develop mild to moderate symptoms (up to mild pneumonia), while 14% develop severe symptoms (dyspnea, hypoxia, or more than 50% lung involvement on imaging), and 5% develop critical symptoms (respiratory failure, shock, or multiorgan dysfunction). Older people are at a higher risk of developing severe symptoms. Some people continue to experience a range of effects (long COVID) for months or years after infection, and damage to organs has been observed. Multi-year studies are underway to further investigate the long-term effects of the disease.COVID‑19 transmits when infectious particles are breathed in or come into contact with the eyes, nose, or mouth. The risk is highest when people are in close proximity, but small airborne particles containing the virus can remain suspended in the air and travel over longer distances, particularly indoors. Transmission can also occur when people touch their eyes, nose or mouth after touching surfaces or objects that have been contaminated by the virus. People remain contagious for up to 20 days and can spread the virus even if they do not develop symptoms.Testing methods for COVID-19 to detect the virus's nucleic acid include real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‑PCR), transcription-mediated amplification, and reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT‑LAMP) from a nasopharyngeal swab.Several COVID-19 vaccines have been approved and distributed in various countries, which have initiated mass vaccination campaigns. Other preventive measures include physical or social distancing, quarantining, ventilation of indoor spaces, use of face masks or coverings in public, covering coughs and sneezes, hand washing, and keeping unwashed hands away from the face. While work is underway to develop drugs that inhibit the virus, the primary treatment is symptomatic. Management involves the treatment of symptoms through supportive care, isolation, and experimental measures.
The Biden administration has decided to delay regulations banning menthol cigarettes following widespread opposition, with HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra stating that more conversations are needed. The proposed ban, initially introduced by the FDA, aimed to be a critical component of President Biden's Cancer Moonshot initiative, with arguments that it would reduce the appeal of cigarettes and have significant health benefits. The FDA had passed the regulations to the White House OMB for final approval after a long public comment period.
False information, including intentional disinformation and conspiracy theories, about the scale of the COVID-19 pandemic and the origin, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of the disease has been spread through social media, text messaging, and mass media. False information has been propagated by celebrities, politicians, and other prominent public figures. Many countries have passed laws against "fake news", and thousands of people have been arrested for spreading COVID-19 misinformation. The spread of COVID-19 misinformation by governments has also been significant.Commercial scams have claimed to offer at-home tests, supposed preventives, and "miracle" cures. Several religious groups have claimed their faith will protect them from the virus. Without evidence, some people have claimed the virus is a bioweapon accidentally or deliberately leaked from a laboratory, a population control scheme, the result of a spy operation, or the side effect of 5G upgrades to cellular networks.The World Health Organization (WHO) declared an "infodemic" of incorrect information about the virus that poses risks to global health. While belief in conspiracy theories is not a new phenomenon, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, this can lead to adverse health effects. Cognitive biases, such as jumping to conclusions and confirmation bias, may be linked to the occurrence of conspiracy beliefs. Uncertainty among experts, when combined with a lack of understanding of the scientific process by laypeople, has likewise been a factor amplifying conspiracy theories about the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to health effects, harms resulting from the spread of misinformation and endorsement of conspiracy theories include increasing distrust of news organizations and medical authorities as well as divisiveness and political fragmentation.
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