Disclaimer: this is not an all-encompassing list of news updates from the month of May 2021.
To stay up-to-date with current health updates and ongoings, it is helpful to be informed about events of the immediate past. This news recap discusses a few of the key news releases that were announced during the month of May 2021 that affected the worlds of pharmacy and public health.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic is slowing in some parts of the world, the ongoing pandemic is still crowding out many other relevant news stories across all industries, and this sentiment also rings true for the healthcare professions. Although there were many exciting announcements about new therapeutics and advancements unrelated to COVID-19, this discussion has a heavy emphasis on pandemic-related content.
There have been many news updates in May 2021. To summarize, 5 of the most relevant stories from the month are described below. Topics not related to the COVID-19 pandemic are discussed first and COVID-19 topics follow suit.
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Minimum Age Lowered to 12 Years
On May 10, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that the minimum age for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine has been reduced from 16 years to 12 years. The announcement follows the ongoing collection of data that supports the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine in this lower age group.
Specifically, the FDA “determined that Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine has met the statutory criteria to amend the EUA, and that the known and potential benefits of this vaccine in individuals 12 years of age and older outweigh the known and potential risks, supporting the vaccine’s use in this population,” according to a statement on the FDA’s website.
Although the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine can now be used in adolescents as young as 12 years, the Moderna and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccines should still only be used in individuals 18 years or older.
Read more:
- Pfizer-BioNTech Announce Positive Results of COVID-19 Vaccine Study in Adolescents
- Vaccine Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers
- Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for Vaccines Explained
Fully Vaccinated Americans No Longer Need to Mask in Most Scenarios
On May 16, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated their masking recommendations. According to the CDC, “fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.”
After roughly a year of masking recommendations in place, this step forward is an encouraging sign of progress for many.
As a reminder, being “fully vaccinated” does not occur immediately after vaccination. To be considered fully vaccinated, 2 weeks must pass after a second dose of a Pfizer-BioNTech/Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is administered or 2 weeks after one dose of the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine is administered.
Additionally, it is still recommended to mask and take other precautions while traveling with public transportation measures.
Read more:
- Choosing Safer Activities
- International Travel During COVID-19
- The CDC’s Changes to Mask Guidelines Raised Questions. Here Are 6 Answers
COVID-19 Vaccines No Longer Need to Be Separated from Other Vaccines
Ever since the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine was initially authorized for use in the United States in December 2020, it was recommended that its administration with other vaccines should be separated by at least 14 days (2 weeks). This recommendation was out of an abundance of caution as there was a lack of data and evidence to support the safety and effectiveness of combining the COVID-19 vaccine with other vaccine(s) at the time.
However, as the months have progressed, additional data has been collected that has helped answer the question if it is safe and effective to receive a COVID-19 vaccination at the same time as other vaccines.
On May 14, after analyzing data and hearing experts discuss the benefits and risk of vaccine coadministration, the CDC announced a revised guidance that COVID-19 vaccines may now be administered without regard to timing with other vaccines.
This is welcome news, especially as routine vaccination rates have dropped dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic. This updated guidance is one small step toward helping increase routine vaccination rates as the pandemic begins to decline in severity compared to its peak.
Read more:
- Decline in Receipt of Vaccines by Medicare Beneficiaries During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Routine Pediatric Vaccine Ordering and Administration
- Routine Vaccinations Decline During Pandemic
EUA Announced for Sotrovimab, A New Therapy for Treating COVID-19
On May 26, the FDA authorized an additional monoclonal antibody therapy that can be used to treat certain patients with COVID-19 – sotrovimab. Sotrovimab is a product of GlaxoSmithKline and it is intended to be used in patients 12 years and older with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 who are at risk of progressing to severe COVID-19.
Currently, there are 10 different therapies that are approved by EUA to help treat patients with COVID-19. Of those, 3 are considered to be monoclonal antibodies (sotrovimab, bamlanivimab + etesevimab, casirivimab + imdevimab). Monoclonal antibody therapies serve as substitute antibodies that can help the immune system target pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2.
Sotrovimab should not be used in patients who are hospitalized due to COVID-19 or require oxygen therapy due to COVID-19. If you or a loved one have questions about accessing sotrovimab, contact your pharmacist or other local healthcare provider.
Read more:
Amazon Considering Opening Retail Pharmacy Locations
Like many other industries, the pharmacy industry is constantly evolving and developing as times progress. Amazon, known for its dominating online presence, is considering further expanding into the pharmacy world.
In an additional potential move to compete with CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens, and other pharmacy companies, Amazon executives are reportedly considering the idea of opening physical retail pharmacy locations. Current reports suggest that Amazon retail pharmacy locations could potentially be placed inside their Whole Foods grocery locations, an entity that they separately acquired in 2017.
This would be an ongoing expansion into the pharmacy sector for Amazon. In June 2018, Amazon made a move to acquire PillPack, a pharmacy known for its specialized way of packaging its products into easy-to-manage doses. In a separate move in November 2020, Amazon announced the creation of Amazon Pharmacy, a pharmacy that functions similarly to a mail order (delivery-only) pharmacy.
Although this is still a developing situation, tuhis would be a move that could further shake up the current pharmacy landscape.
Read more:
- Introducing Amazon Pharmacy: Prescription Medications Delivered (Press Release)
- What is PillPack?
- What is the Role of Mail Order Pharmacy?
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