Category: Brief Messages or Announcements

Public Notice of Gratitude to FDA & CDC Advisory Committees

I have watched a few YouTube presentations by the CDC and FDA Advisory Committees in the last few weeks. I’m very impressed with the professionalism, sincerity, civility, and dedication of the members of both organizations. The most recent FDA meeting on the extension of the EUA for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to children ages 5-11 was a great example of the best of the best. It’s a tough job. I appreciate them. They also have a pretty good sense of humor, especially when they forget to unmute their microphones.

FDA Advisory Committee Reminder: Meeting October 26, 2021 to Discuss COVID-19 Vaccine for Children Ages 5-11

This is just a reminder of the FDA Advisory Committee meeting scheduled for tomorrow, October 26, 2021, 8:30 AM-5:00 PM, ET, to discuss the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children, ages 5-11. Some documents are available to preview, including the FDA briefing document. Section 8 is the Benefit-Risk Assessment summary, beginning on page 32.

Congratulations to 2021 UI Physicians Clinical Awards Winners

I was so happy to see the winners of the 2021 University of Iowa Physicians Clinical Awards winners. I have a special bias for a couple of them because I worked with them for years in my capacity as psychiatric consultant in the general hospital prior to my retirement in June of 2020.

Dr. Kevin Doerschug, MD, the winner of the Excellence in Our Workplace Award, actually rotated on the psychiatry consult service when he was a trainee. He and I saw each other frequently in the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU). He is one of the kindest doctors I have ever met. Dr. Dilek Ince, MD, the winner of the Best Consulting Provider Award, is a thorough and tireless clinician. As consultants, our paths often crossed in the hospital.

I congratulate all the winners. Iowa is so fortunate to have you.

FDA Advisory Committee to Discuss Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine for Children 5 Through 11 Years of Age

On October 26, 2021 the FDA Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee will meet to discuss the extension of the Pfizer EUA for the COVID-19 vaccine for children 5 through 11 years of age. Some event materials are already available. The meeting is scheduled for at 8:30 AM-5:00 PM, ET.

FDA Authorizes COVID-19 Moderna and Janssen Boosters and Heterologous Boosting

The FDA just released a statement this afternoon announcing the extension of the EUA for COVID-19 boosting with Moderna and Janssen vaccine. The FDA also authorized heterologous boosting (mix and match).

CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Meeting October 20-21

I’m not sure what the announcement for the Advisory Committee on Immunization is all about for October 20, 21, 2021. It’s supposed to have 2 pages for the agenda and I see only one. The date in the agenda heading is “October 14, 2021” and the agenda has two dates: one for October 20 which is not about COVID-19 vaccine boosters and one for October 21 which says “Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccines TBD.”

I suspect the ACIP will be discussing the Moderna and J&J vaccine boosters, which is what would follow the FDA advisory committee meeting decisions on October 14, 15.

FDA Advisory Committee Meetings on COVID-19 Vaccine EUA Amendments for Moderna, J&J Boosters and Heterologous Boosters, Pfizer Vaccine for Children

The FDA Advisory Committee will hold a meeting October 14-15 to discuss amendments to the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for Moderna and J&J COVID-19 boosters as well as heterologous boosting (mix and match). New data is available, including NIH preliminary results on the mix and match study.

The FDA also announced a meeting to discuss Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children age 5-11, which is scheduled for October 26, 2021.

Links to the livestream meetings details are in the press announcement (link above).

Meeting materials are posted here.

Jab Who?

I just read a news item saying that the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines, Iowa is administering COVID-19 vaccine to the animals there. I wondered how that would go, especially with large animals. I figured the zoo staff would be using dart guns. Talk about vaccine hesitance.

Then I saw a YouTube showing animals at the Louisville Zoo in Kentucky getting their shots. Apparently, they can get sick from COVID-19 infection. There were a few disparaging comments from viewers. Would 70 zoos vaccinate their animals if it weren’t safe and effective?

The animals didn’t seem to mind it. In fact, they were probably more cooperative than some humans. Of course, they got treats. But we give gift cards, beer, lottery prizes, turkey-flavored candy corn—which don’t really work. About 25% of Iowans don’t plan to get the vaccine according to a Des Moines Register news story.

Will the animals get boosters?

Featured image credit: Jim & Sena Amos at Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison, WI in 2009.

CDC Statement on COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters

The CDC published a media statement this morning that outlines the amended Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations for COVID-19 vaccine boosters. Late last night, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky restored the recommendation that ACIP voted down yesterday: “People aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks.” This is consistent with the FDA regulatory recommendations made on Wednesday.

Now, to my understanding, at least in Iowa, according to University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics (UIHC) and others, it’s up to the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) to green-light the booster rollouts locally.