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It has been a moist day within the D.C. area, with some historic flooding. We hope everyone seems to be staying secure, and perhaps maintaining a sense of humor concerning the scenario.
FDA signed off on Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for teenagers ages 5-11, a significant step ahead in attempting to finish the pandemic.
For The Hill, we’re Peter Sullivan (psullivan@thehill.com), Nathaniel Weixel (nweixel@thehill.com) and Justine Coleman (jcoleman@thehill.com). Write to us with suggestions and suggestions, and observe us on Twitter: @PeterSullivan4, @NateWeixel and @JustineColeman8.
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FDA authorizes vaccine for kids ages 5-11
COVID-19 vaccines for youthful kids are one step nearer to changing into out there after the Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday approved Pfizer-BioNTech’s coronavirus vaccine for emergency use in kids ages 5 to 11.
Extending vaccine eligibility to kids youthful than 12 has been a significant aim of public well being officers and has been eagerly awaited by many pediatricians and households.
The FDA has been beneath strain for months to maneuver rapidly to authorize vaccines for youthful kids, one of many ultimate obstacles to beat within the nation’s historic vaccination marketing campaign.
A CDC panel is scheduled to satisfy early subsequent week to suggest how the vaccines must be used.
If the panel offers favorable suggestions and CDC Director Rochelle WalenskyRochelle WalenskyOvernight Well being Care — Introduced by Altria — Younger kids one step nearer to vaccine FDA authorizes Pfizer vaccine for kids ages 5-11 CDC examine: Vaccination presents higher safety than earlier COVID-19 an infection MORE accepts them, the vaccination marketing campaign would start. Whereas faculty is already underway, a number of the first kids in line may very well be absolutely vaccinated in time for Christmas.
Combatting hesitancy: Throughout a name with reporters, appearing FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock stated she understands some mother and father might hesitate to vaccinate their youngsters at first, however she thinks the extra kids who do get vaccinated, the extra others will observe— identical to it was for adults final winter and spring.
“So we actually hope that as folks see kids getting vaccinated and being protected, having the ability to take part in actions with out concern, that increasingly folks will get their youngsters vaccinated. And you realize, as we accumulate extra expertise with the vaccine, extra consolation with the security will happen,” Woodcock stated.
Learn extra right here.
A MESSAGE FROM ALTRIA
Altria’s firms are main the way in which in shifting grownup people who smoke away from cigarettes – by taking motion to transition hundreds of thousands in direction of doubtlessly much less dangerous selections. Learn the way at Altria.com.
CDC examine: Vaccination presents higher safety
There’s new proof within the debate over the safety from prior immunity from COVID-19.
A brand new examine from the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) finds that vaccination gives higher safety towards hospitalization with COVID-19 than a earlier an infection with the virus.
The evaluation discovered folks hospitalized with coronavirus-like signs had been greater than 5 instances extra more likely to take a look at constructive for COVID-19 if that they had had current prior an infection than in the event that they had been just lately vaccinated.
The examine launched Friday examined greater than 7,000 folks throughout 9 states and 187 hospitals, evaluating those that had been unvaccinated and had beforehand had the coronavirus within the final three to 6 months and those that had been vaccinated over the identical timeframe.
Huge image: Some have argued that individuals who beforehand had COVID-19 have much less have to get vaccinated.
The CDC urged even those that had been beforehand contaminated to get their photographs.
“We now have extra proof that reaffirms the significance of COVID-19 vaccines, even in case you have had prior an infection,” CDC Director Rochelle Walensky stated in an announcement. “This examine provides extra to the physique of information demonstrating the safety of vaccines towards extreme illness from COVID-19.”
Learn extra right here.
KEMP, OTHER GOP GOVERNORS TO SUE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION
The most recent in GOP clashes with the Biden administration’s COVID-19 mitigation efforts: Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp
Brian KempTexas AG sues White Home over vaccine mandate In a single day Well being Care — Introduced by Altria — Younger kids one step nearer to vaccine Kemp, different GOP governors to sue Biden administration over vaccine mandate MORE (R) will file a lawsuit in federal court docket difficult the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate for federal contractors.
Kemp and Lawyer Basic Chris Carr (R) had been joined on the grievance by leaders from Alabama, Idaho, Kansas, South Carolina, Utah and West Virginia. It comes on the heels of the same lawsuit filed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis
Ron DeSantisUniversity of Florida bars three professors from testifying in lawsuit over elections invoice Texas AG sues White Home over vaccine mandate In a single day Well being Care — Introduced by Altria — Younger kids one step nearer to vaccine MORE (R) on Thursday.
The plaintiffs are asking the court docket for an injunction blocking the administration and federal businesses from implementing the mandate on any contractor primarily based of their respective states. That is a distinct technique than Florida, which is in search of a nationwide injunction.
The coverage is scheduled to take impact Dec. 8; it is going to require all federal employees and contractors to be vaccinated towards COVID-19, and not using a testing possibility.
Learn extra right here.
Drug pricing perhaps alive?
Democratic lawmakers are discussing a attainable compromise on decreasing prescription drug costs that might revive the problem after it was unnoticed of President Biden
Joe BidenTrump lawyer blamed Pence for inflicting Capitol assault: report Biden receives communion in Rome Protestors march for local weather motion in Rome amid G-20 summit MORE‘s social spending framework, sources say.
Rep. Scott Peters
Scott H. PetersOvernight Well being Care — Introduced by Altria — Younger kids one step nearer to vaccine Lawmakers discussing potential compromise to revive drug pricing measure In a single day Well being Care — Introduced by Altria — Drug pricing out of Biden framework, at the least for the second MORE (D-Calif.), who had raised objections to earlier variations of the drug pricing measure, and Home Power and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.) have made progress in direction of an settlement on a compromise drug pricing measure, based on Democratic aides and lobbyists.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Nancy PelosiSunday exhibits preview: Frustration runs excessive as infrastructure talks hit setback Democrats may go infrastructure, spending payments by Tuesday Infrastructure setback frustrates Democrats nearing victory on social spending package deal MORE (D-Calif.) helps construct help for the potential compromise, which was first reported by Stat.
The Senate stays a query, significantly Sen. Kyrsten Sinema
Kyrsten SinemaProgressives worry compromise may jeopardize midterm hopes Sunday exhibits preview: Frustration runs excessive as infrastructure talks hit setback In a single day Well being Care — Introduced by Altria — Younger kids one step nearer to vaccine MORE (D-Ariz.), who has been one of many important obstacles in that chamber to stronger variations of the drug pricing plan.
A spokesperson for Peters cautioned that he’ll want the sign-off of all 50 Democratic senators.
“Rep. Peters would require the help of fifty Senators earlier than committing to any settlement — that has not but been achieved,” the spokesperson stated. “He stays dedicated to working in good religion with all of his colleagues in each chambers to go a invoice that can decrease drug costs for seniors.”
Scaled-back coverage: The potential deal would enable Medicare to barter drug costs, however just for a extra restricted variety of medication than initially proposed. Particularly, the proposal would solely enable negotiation on older medication that not are on their interval of “exclusivity,” when they’re shielded from competitors.
Learn extra right here.
A MESSAGE FROM ALTRIA
Altria’s firms are main the way in which in shifting grownup people who smoke away from cigarettes – by taking motion to transition hundreds of thousands in direction of doubtlessly much less dangerous selections. Learn the way at Altria.com.
HARRIS TO GET BOOSTER ON SATURDAY
Vice President Harris will obtain her COVID-19 vaccine booster shot on Saturday because the administration urges People to get the shot and procure extra doses if they’re at larger danger.
Harris received her first dose of the Moderna vaccine in late December and her second dose one month later. She is eligible for a booster shot given her common journey and make contact with with quite a few different people, placing her at elevated danger of publicity to the virus, a White Home official stated.
Harris will obtain the shot on digicam within the Eisenhower Government Workplace Constructing.
President Biden received his booster shot of the Pfizer vaccine in late September. The president was eligible as a result of he’s over 65.
The Biden administration has been urging People who’re over 65, have an underlying medical situation or have a job that places them at larger danger of contracting COVID-19 to get a booster shot that provides extra safety towards the virus.
Learn extra right here.
WHAT WE’RE READING
- Security nets stored U.S. uninsured fee regular throughout pandemic, HHS says (Reuters)
- A bitter capsule: Biden suffers acquainted defeat on prescription drug costs (Washington Publish)
- ERs are swamped with severely unwell sufferers, though many don’t have Covid (Kaiser Well being Information)
STATE BY STATE
- Can a pro-Covid vaccine, anti-mandate place assist a Republican win in a Democratic state? (Stat)
- UnitedHealthcare returning to Illinois Obamacare alternate, with open enrollment beginning Monday (Chicago Tribune)
- Maine begins implementing well being care employee COVID-19 vaccine requirement (WMTW)
- R.I.’s personal hospital nonetheless cannot get into compliance with COVID-19 vaccine mandate (Boston Globe)
That’s it for at this time, thanks for studying. Take a look at The Hill’s well being care web page for the newest information and protection. See you subsequent week.