Antiviral Pill Almost 90% Effective; ‘Boostermania’ Not Slowing; COVID Death Gene

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Pfizer announced that its oral antiviral reduced the risk of hospitalization or death by 89% in a study of patients with mild or moderate COVID-19 symptoms.

“Boostermania” continues to outpace the rate of new COVID vaccinations. (NPR)

As of Thursday at 8 a.m. EDT, the unofficial U.S. COVID toll reached 46,335,944 cases and 751,559 deaths, increases of 82,263 and 1,128, respectively, from this time a day ago.

Mexico announced arrests and seizure of 260 pounds of pure fentanyl, the nation’s largest-ever bust of the synthetic opioid. (AP)

When it comes to healthcare consumption, it turns out boomers and millennials aren’t so different after all. (FiercePharma)

Scientist Sharif Tabebordbar’s research comes too late to help his father’s rare type of muscular dystrophy, but it may help others. (New York Times)

Could COVID-19 vaccination rates be improved by producing the shots in the countries that need them most? (New York Times)

Thousands of U.S. intelligence officers could face dismissal for failure to comply with the federal vaccination mandate. (AP)

Nationwide, new COVID cases are decreasing, but some states continue to report increases. (NBC News)

A new study showed that breakthrough COVID infections in vaccinated individuals are not as severe as de novo infections. (CNN)

A report from the Government Accountability Office concluded that HHS should get more input from the states on vaccine distribution and communication.

Ocugen has submitted an emergency use authorization request with the FDA for its COVID-19 vaccine candidate BBV152, known as Covaxin in India.

Emergent BioSolutions, the Maryland vaccine maker that produced millions of contaminated doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, lost its multimillion dollar contract with the government. (AP)

British scientists identified a gene that doubles the risk of death from COVID-19, a discovery that could help fuel development of targeted therapies for the disease. (Reuters)

The island nation of Tonga entered a week-long lockdown after recording its very first COVID case. (NPR)

What the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate means for employers and the estimated 84 million American workers affected by the mandate. (AP)

Florida officials estimate that a state-run monoclonal antibody program for COVID-19 will cost almost $900 million through 2022, with the federal government footing the bill. (Miami Herald)