A COVID-19 vaccine candidate developed by Moderna and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) showed promising results in an interim analysis released Nov. 15.
The vaccine uses messenger RNA, like the Pfizer vaccine candidate, in combination with a stabilized SARS-CoV-2 spike immunogen (S-2P) developed by NIAID scientists. In the phase 3 trial, supported by Operation Warp Speed, the vaccine had a 94.5 percent efficacy rate. More than 30,000 adult participants enrolled in the clinical trial, 37 percent of whom were from racial and ethnic minority groups.
The U.S. government’s Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority has committed $955 million to support vaccine research and development, and the United States has committed up to $1.525 billion to buy 100 million doses once a successful vaccine is developed.
The American Medical Association announced Current Procedural Terminology codes for future medical claim reporting of two COVID-19 vaccines. The codes correspond to the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine candidates and are effective for use once the respective vaccines receive emergency use authorization or approval from the Food and Drug Administration.
CDC: Masks Benefit the Wearer
In a scientific brief published Nov. 10, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated cloth mask materials reduce wearers’ exposure to infectious droplets by filtering fine droplets and particles less than 10 microns. Previously, the agency’s guidance stated the primary reason for mask wearing was to prevent the spread of infection to others.
CDC also cited an economic analysis using U.S. data that found increasing universal masking by 15 percent could prevent the need for lockdowns and reduce associated losses of up to $1 trillion.
Visit the America’s Essential Hospitals coronavirus resource page for more information about the pandemic.
Contact Senior Director of Policy Erin O’Malley at eomalley@essentialhospitals.org or 202.585.0127 with questions.
