New COVID-19 Cases Drop To Lowest Levels Since June 2020
Each of the major COVID-19 tracking indicators are dropping. U.S. cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are all falling to nearly one year lows.
As of May 23, reported nationwide new cases are 13,186 and a 7-day moving average of under 23,000 cases. Numbers not seen since June 2020.
Nationwide daily (May 23, 2021) reported COVID-19 related deaths fell to 220, comparable to numbers seen in March of 2020. As these statistics are going down, and the number of vaccinated people continues to go up, there is a sense of growing optimism as summer approaches. Thank you for all you are doing! #sleeveup
To Booster Or Not To Booster?
Scientists and executives at a number of COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers have predicted the need for boosters within a year.
However, the scientific community is not in concurrence on this. According to the CDC website “the need for and timing for any COVID-19 booster doses have not been established” and that “No additional doses are recommended at this time“.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, stated recently that, “we’re preparing for the eventuality that we might need boosters, but I think we’ve got to be careful not to let the people know that inevitably, x number of months from now, everyone’s going to need a booster. That’s just not the case. We may not need it for quite a while.” So far, studies have shown that mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) maintain over 90% efficacy six months after getting vaccinated. And scientists say it’s likely much longer. Stay tuned, the conversation is likely to continue.
Vaccine Updates
Pfizer-BioNTech + AstraZeneca – A study found that two doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech or the Astra/Zeneca vaccine protects against the COVID-19 variant first detected in India, as well as the variant first found in the United Kingdom.
Moderna – Moderna announced that its COVID-19 vaccine was effective in 12 to 17 year-olds. It plans to apply for FDA authorization. There were no cases of symptomatic COVID-19 in fully vaccinated study participants. Sinopharm – The W.H.O. has given emergency use authorization to the Sinopharm vaccine. It showed and estimated efficacy of 78.1%, details of the Phase 3 trial has yet to be published.
Vaccine Tracker
According to the CDC, as of 5/12/2021, a total of:
- 357 million doses delivered
- 287 million doses administered
This accounts for the following fully vaccinated percentages:
- 39.3% of the total population
- 46.6% of those over 12 years of age
- 49.8% of those over 18 years of age
- 74.0% of those over 65 years of age
Scruples and Drams
News and Notes from Around Pharmacy
- Several at-home COVID tests are now available at retail pharmacies, offering results in as little as 15 minutes. No prescription is required and no need to mail to any lab for results. BinaxNow, QuickVue and Ellume are examples.
- The American Heart Association provides official statement reassuring that reported cases of reported myocarditis in young adults are rare and that the benefits of a COVID vaccination outweigh any risks.
- A new COVID-19 therapeutics tracker has been published. This tracker will be updated weekly with the latest in developments for COVID-19 treatments. The tracker includes any therapies that have advanced to at least a Phase 1 study. For more information click the link below.
Safeguard Your Community Against Prescription Medication Misuse
- 18 million Americans have misused Rx Only opioids, depressants and stimulants in the past year
- 70% of prescription pain relievers are obtained from family or friends…often without knowledge or permission
- FDA recommended medication disposal methods are used by no more than 9% of patients
Introducing RxDISPOSAL Messaging
Using patent pending processes, MarkeTouch will notify patients of the medication disposal options offered by the pharmacy. RxDISPOSAL is targeted, personalized, customizable patient notifications delivered using proprietary algorithms and processes. To learn more about how this innovative service can benefit the community that you serve, please call or email.
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