A possible third party Vaccine for covid may be on the way in the United States. It is extremely necessary to accelerate vaccines. Nearly 34 million Americans have had at least one COVID injection, but that means more than 8 out of 10 don’t.
Thursday Afternoon, Johnson & Johnson is filing with the FDA to approve emergency use authorization for its single dose vaccine.
“Today’s submission for Emergency Use Authorization of our experimental single-dose COVID-19 vaccine is a key step in reducing the burden of disease for people around the world and ending the pandemic,” said Paul Stoffels, director company’s scientific background, in a statement. “… we are working with great urgency to make our experimental vaccine available to the public as soon as possible.”
This occurs as COVID restrictions decrease and hospitalizations and new cases of COVID decrease. However, concern is growing among several key doctors in infectious diseases.
“I am very concerned that we are going to relax too much, this is not the time to let our guard down,” said Dr. Ashish Jha.
Dr. Michael Osterholm said: “Within six to 12 weeks, we could be seeing the worst of the pandemic so far.”
Dr. Celine Gounder, an epidemiologist at New York University who advised Biden’s transition team, said she is concerned about the pandemic fatigue and that it is crucial to vaccinate as many as possible.
“My biggest concern now is that people are tired, frustrated, they just want life back to normal,” said Gounder. “These variants will continue to spread, continue to mutate, and at the end of the day, we may end up with vaccines that no longer work.”
Some reports say that variants may become dominant in March.
“The UK variant appears to be more communicable, more contagious,” Ground told CBS News. “It can be more virulent, which means that the person infected with this strain is more likely to have a serious illness and die.”
In Alabama, AJ Jackson was one of the first Americans to be diagnosed with the strain that originated in the United Kingdom. He died this week at age 35. His wife Ashley wrote, “You are now our guardian angel.”
With variations increasing, health officials are concerned about this weekend’s meetings for the big game.
“As much fun as being together in a big Super Bowl Party … At least this time, just be quiet and calm down, “said Dr. Anthony Fauci.
There is promising news of a new antibody test being developed by scientists at the University of Denver. It can determine whether someone positive for COVID will have mild or more severe symptoms.
There is an ongoing debate about the reopening of schools, where some are still functioning almost a year later.
Megan Caluza teaches special education in public schools in San Francisco, but wants the proper protocols to be implemented before returning to the classroom. This includes vaccines for students and staff and increased ventilation.
“We sincerely believe, pressing to ensure that all appropriate safety measures are in place, that we are doing what is right for our children and their families,” said Caluza.
Meanwhile in Chicago, a tense stalemate persists between the city and the teachers’ union that refuse to return. Mayor Lori Lightfoot said she spent more than $ 100 million on ventilation, masks and security protocols.
“Black and brown children who look like me, coming from circumstances like the one I grew up in, are struggling and failing, we are reproaching these children for not giving them the option to go back to school,” she said.
Lightfoot said on Thursday night that time was up for the country’s third largest school district and is telling the union that they should have a deal by midnight. Meanwhile, the union said it was working in the 11th hour to reach an agreement.