It would be interesting to have the data, and I wonder if the CDC committee will have any data along these lines, looking at contact tracing cases where children contracted COVID, had little to no symptoms, but then transmitted within the home. To me, this data would be the strongest argument for vaccinating children. I doubt that such detailed data exists at this point however.
I agree. Was listening to ZDoggMD yesterday and one of his podcasts. Strong vaccine supporter. I was surprised to hear him say the data shows that kids do not spread it. I find that hard to believe when it came to delta. He also admits the data in the United States is just awful. About as bad as the messaging. We can find some of the dumbest things to study instead of focusing on important issues when it comes to Covid.
Sanofi drops out of the Covid-19 mRNA based vaccine development. They are already in Phase3 with their recombinant protein based vaccine co-developed the Glaxo-Smith Kline. French drugmaker Sanofi halts development of its mRNA COVID vaccine
Merck releases addtional pre-clinical information/results on Molnupiravir and its affect on SARS-CoV-2 replication in cells in a petri dish setting, ie not in humans. https://cen.acs.org/pharmaceuticals/drug-development/preclinical-tests-Mercks-COVID-19/99/i36
Merck’s antiviral pill reduces hospitalization of Covid patients, a possible game-changer for treatment Merck’s antiviral pill reduces hospitalization of Covid patients https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molnupiravir Was originally designed to fight the Flu
Not mentioned in the above linked article, but this drug was developed by the same husband and wife pair (Ridgeback Pharmaceuticals) that isolated and developed the world's first antibody treatment against ebola. They have a have a long and successful career at identifying and developing drugs to combat viruses.
Not sure what you are asking here, but if you are asking if the treatments cannot be given to those who have been vaccinated, the answer is no that is not true. The study cohort that Merck reported on were unvaccinated people only because they were looking for the clearest, strongest signal as to whether or not the drug was performing as expected. Dr. Gottlieb was on CNBC talking about how an EUA for this drug could be extended to cover everyone, vaccinated or not vaccinated depending upon what signals they see in the deep dive on the safety data.
Additionally, because this drug works by inhibiting the mechanism by which viruses copy themselves vs antibodies that directly attack the virus particle, it is also probable that this drug will be administered in addition to monoclonal antibody cocktails in the case of severe disease or patients with high cocomorbities. And, since Regeneron, Lilly and others are close to developing subcutaneous deliveries for the mAbs (vs IV delivery), that would mean all of these treatments will be available at your local doctor office and you will not need infusion centers or a hospital visit soon. Finally, there is also a Phase3 trial arm looking at the effectiveness of this drug as a prophylaxsis. A shorter course than 5 days potentially, but the idea is if someone in the household has been confirmed positive for COVID the rest of the house hold would be treated with this drug for 2-3 days and it will help ensure that they do not develop an infection.
This crushed vaccine stocks today. $22B in value lost https://todayuknews.com/banking/vaccine-stocks-crash-as-merck-breaks-out-with-a-covid-pill/amp/ But the news started a rout on Covid vaccine stocks Moderna (MRNA) and BioNTech (BNTX), as well as makers of antibody treatments, including Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (REGN) and Vir Biotechnology (VIR). Experts say antiviral pills could be the last tool needed to beat back Covid-19. Just 7.3% of patients who took Merck’s drug, molnupiravir, were hospitalized as of day 29 in a Phase 3 study. That compares with 14.1% of placebo recipients. None of the patients who took the antiviral died. In comparison, eight patients in the placebo group died. “Merck’s success with molnupiravir could not only unlock over $10 billion in near-term orders, the pill could also represent the best option for bringing the pandemic under control worldwide,” SVB Leerink analyst Daina Graybosch said in a report. https://todayuknews.com/banking/vaccine-stocks-crash-as-merck-breaks-out-with-a-covid-pill/amp/
It is going to help make SARS-CoV-2 more like influenza. There will be vaccines available and honestly, we should continue to vaccinate as many people as possible. After vaccination, the mAbs are wildly successful, but are difficult to manufacture, transport and administer. Within months, there will be 2-3 companies who come forward with trial data and requesting EUA for subcutaneous mAbs. This means they are more easily transported, stored and delivered in a syringe, not IV so that they are at your local doctor's office. After that is Molnupiravir, with interrupts the transcription of the genetic material from virus to potential host cell. In addition, Pfizer and a third company have protease inhibitors finishing up trials now. These were the anti-virals critical for slowing HIV. They disturb a different part of virus replication. When all of those tools are in the box, hardly anyone will bat an eyelash at COVID and our health care providers can finally take a breath. I think sometimes people forget that one of the primary objectives of all of this mitigation was to try and keep our hospitals and hospital staff from being overwhelmed and burned out.
Many people have said that the data continues to come in an refine our understanding of not just what works vs what does not work, but also when does it work vs not work. Really good peer reviewed paper on Tocilizumab. When administered priory to the need for heavy oxygen intervention, it resulted in a reduction in mortality of 53% in hospitalized patients. When given later, after more advanced oxygen or higher volume oxygen intervention is required, then there was no benefit whatsoever. Great stuff, and we need more research like this on everything from Ivermectin to steroids. Impact of Timing of Tocilizumab Use in Hospitalized Patients With SARS-CoV-2 Infection
