FDA leaders believe that coronavirus vaccines will last at least nine months. What happens after that is unclear, as scientists and public health officials debate what strategy to take on booster shots. mcclatchydc.com/news/coronavir…
“We’re believing that it’s probably going to last at least nine months, but we’re going to be checking this. We need to be careful that in more immunocompromised individuals, particularly older individuals... that we don’t see that drop off more quickly.” mcclatchydc.com/news/coronavir…
Scientists have not settled on a strategy on whether to modify the vaccines to target new variants, or simply to provide boosters using the original vaccines, which have thus far proven effective enough against mutant strains. mcclatchydc.com/news/coronavir…
Each vaccine might require its own booster strategy, creating a potential logistical mess. “Each one is different. We already have data that they’re different, that it’s not going to be one size fits all. The answer to me is different for each platform.” mcclatchydc.com/news/coronavir…
“It may just be by boosting with the same vaccine, you'll get high enough titers that they would take care of these variants. There is something to be said for trying to keep it simple.” mcclatchydc.com/news/coronavir…
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News: A Pentagon system set up for states to keep track of coronavirus vaccines had outdated, inaccurate projections for deliveries, leading governors to think they would receive far more doses than will arrive in the coming days. mcclatchydc.com/news/coronavir…
Thursday's confusion stems from Tiberius, a Defense Department system that went online months ago so that states could begin learning how to use its modules. The old planning numbers were kept in the system throughout last week. mcclatchydc.com/news/coronavir…
Governors first learned of the discrepancy when they placed new orders with the CDC in recent days, scrambling to update next week's distribution plans – without an explanation from the federal government. mcclatchydc.com/news/coronavir…
Exclusive: The CDC has officially pushed back a Nov. 1 deadline for states to be ready to receive and distribute coronavirus vaccines until after the presidential election, according to a letter obtained by @McClatchy. mcclatchydc.com/news/coronavir…
The new deadline is Nov. 15, and states are being asked to sign data use agreements and begin working within the CDC's vaccine delivery system by Nov. 2. mcclatchydc.com/news/coronavir…
“We acknowledge that you are being asked to do unprecedented work,” wrote the CDC's Nancy Messonnier. “We are reminded of the urgency of this work as cases and mortality continue to rise across the country from COVID-19.” mcclatchydc.com/news/coronavir…
News: The North Carolina Board of Elections has denied international observers access to polling sites on Election Day, a decision that caught members of the mission by surprise as they prepared to arrive in the state. (w/ @chiaravep) mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-…
Denying the request, the board cited a law that only North Carolinians can be present in polling places — a law that has not been cited during previous observation missions, including one just two years ago. mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-…
The OSCE is calling North Carolina's decision a "breach of commitment" and expects it to feature in their upcoming report on Nov. 3. "We were all surprised, because we have observed in North Carolina several times in the past and it hasn’t been a problem." mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-…
Exclusive: Emails obtained by @McClatchy show the Pompeos sought personal assistance of senior State Department staff, who expressed discomfort at requests they conduct personal errands on government time. (w/ @BryanLowry3) kansascity.com/news/politics-…
"I’m wondering if we are sending the last of our personal cards out, who will be there to help me," Susan Pompeo wrote to a senior @StateDept aide from a personal email account. "Mike will not want to go outside you and Joe for this assistance." kansascity.com/news/politics-…
The exchange is the first publication of emails documenting the Pompeos directing government employees to conduct their personal business while at work on taxpayer dollars, the topic of an ongoing inquiry by the State Department inspector general’s office. kansascity.com/news/politics-…
As a private citizen with no official role, Susan Pompeo used a private email account to assign official work to a top State Department staffer on behalf of her husband, the secretary, according to newly released testimony. (w/ @BryanLowry3) kansascity.com/news/politics-…
Susan Pompeo’s influence over official personnel and activities at the State Department has raised concerns on Capitol Hill and within the department, contributing to an ongoing inquiry in the inspector general’s office. kansascity.com/news/politics-…
“The work that I get assigned is from the Secretary,” Toni Porter, a longtime confidante and aide to Pompeo from his Kansas days, told the @HouseForeign committee. “There are times that Mrs. Pompeo relays that work to me.” kansascity.com/news/politics-…
Exclusive: The Trump administration ‘urgently’ requested governors do everything in their power to ensure that COVID-19 vaccine distribution sites are ‘fully operational by November 1,’ two days before the presidential election. mcclatchydc.com/news/coronavir…
Their time frame appears detached from the progress of ongoing Phase III clinical trials, which are not expected to produce answers until late November or December, the lead scientist overseeing those trials said in an interview. mcclatchydc.com/news/coronavir…
In a letter, CDC Director Redfield asked governors to expedite permits and licenses for the distribution sites and, if necessary, "consider waiving requirements that would prevent these facilities from becoming fully operational by November 1.” mcclatchydc.com/news/coronavir…