Covid kids vaccines | Novavax | Majority have antibodies

VIEW IN BROWSER | SUBSCRIBE Fri, Apr 29, 2022 EDITOR'S NOTE Think a friend or colleague should be getting this newsletter? Share this link with them to sign up.   The Food and Drug administration is moving a step closer to three major Covid vaccine decisions — Novavax, shots for kids under 5, and a redesigned vaccine to target new variants.    The FDA committee will meet in June to review those issues, and its   recommendations will weigh heavily on whether the vaccines are authorized or not.   Parents have been waiting for months to have an option to vaccinate kids under age 5, the only group left in the U.S. not yet eligible. People who want an alternative to Pfizer and Moderna's vaccines for adults have been calling on the FDA to authorize Novavax's shots, which use more traditional protein technology.  However, the biggest decision the FDA will take is whether to redesign the vaccines to target mutations on the virus to boost protection. The clock is ticking as epidemiologists expect another wave of infection in the fall. The FDA still has to get all the vaccine companies on the same page to make sure they're choosing the right formulas.   Pfizer and Moderna are working on shots that would target the omicron variant as well as the original Wuhan strain. The CDC this week revealed just how vast the omicron wave was, with nearly 60% of Americans having antibodies from infection as of February.     Feel free to send any tips, suggestions, story ideas and data in the meantime to me at spencer.kimball@nbcuni.com. Spencer Kimball | Health Reporter @spencekimball Spencer Kimball | Health Reporter @spencekimball 60% of U.S. has Covid antibodies from infection after omicron wave  Three out of every five people in the U.S. now have antibodies from a previous Covid-19 infection with the proportion even higher among children, demonstrating how widespread the virus was during the winter omicron surge, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.. - Spencer Kimball Novavax vaccine, Moderna and Pfizer kids shots move a step closer to authorization The FDA's committee will review Novavax's vaccine for adults ages 18 and over on June 7. The FDA has selected three possible dates – June 8, 21 and 22 – to discuss Moderna and Pfizer's shots for children under age 5 who are not yet eligible for vaccination. The committee will also meet on June 28 to discuss whether the current Covid vaccines need to be redesigned to target mutations of the virus. - Spencer Kimball Moderna asks FDA to authorize shot for kids The two-dose vaccine was about 51% effective against infection from the omicron variant in children under 2 years old and about 37% effective among 2- to 5-year-old kids. However, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Paul Burton said children who receive the vaccine should have high levels of protection against severe illness.  - Spencer Kimball Lilly weight-loss drug meets goals in trial A medicine currently under review for type 2 diabetes, tirzepatide, helped patients lose an average of 50 pounds at the highest dose in a late-stage clinical trial. Part of a new class of drugs that works on hormones implicated in metabolism, the medicine joins another from Novo Nordisk in breaking the industry's long string of lackluster results in obesity. - Meg Tirrell Mysterious hepatitis outbreak in healthy kids possibly linked to adenovirus The CDC on Friday published its most detailed findings so far about nine children in Alabama who suffered from severe hepatitis, after issuing a nationwide health alert last week. It said adenovirus infection may be an underrecognized contributor to liver injury in otherwise healthy children but further investigation is needed. - Spencer Kimball Teladoc's horrible, no good earnings don't bother Cathie Woods Teladoc is struggling to execute on its post-pandemic strategy to grow its primary care and chronic condition business with employers.   Despite partnerships with insurers, the firm has been unable to capitalize on its $18 billion acquisition Livongo. Now, the telehealth provider is writing down $6.6 billion in goodwill, which sent its shares down 40%.    The next day, benefits firm Accolade fell 50% after cutting its earnings outlook and announcing that flagship client Comcast is not renewing its contract with the firm.    Investor Cathie Wood's Ark Investment cut her position in Accolade in the first quarter, but told CNBC she doubled down on Teladoc this week. - Bertha Coombs  Denmark first to halt Covid vaccine program Denmark has become the first country to halt its Covid vaccination program, saying it is doing so because the virus is now under control.   "Spring has arrived, vaccine coverage in the Danish population is high, and the epidemic has reversed," the Danish Health Authority said in a statement Wednesday. - Holly Ellyatt, London  JOIN US REGISTER CONTRIBUTORS Bertha Coombs @berthacoombs Meg Tirrell @megtirrell Bertha Coombs @berthacoombs Meg Tirrell @megtirrell Unsubscribe Manage Newsletters Terms of Service Join the CNBC Panel Digital Products Feedback Privacy Policy CNBC Events © 2022 CNBC LLC. All rights reserved. A property of NBCUniversal. 900 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes and Market Data and Analysis. Data also provided by THOMSON REUTERS