‘Might Be Looking at a New Greek Letter’; Canada Gets Novavax; Baby Formula Recalled

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Researchers argued that BA.2 should not be considered a subvariant of Omicron based on lab data hinting at greater severity: “It looks like we might be looking at a new Greek letter here,” one expert said. (CNN)

Lower efficacy against Omicron led the FDA to delay the agency’s review of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine in kids under 5, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Do adults need fourth doses of COVID-19 vaccines? “We simply don’t have enough data to know that it’s a good thing to do,” said FDA’s Peter Marks, MD, PhD. (New York Times)

Omicron spread rapidly at a convention in New York City of 53,000 people in November, but there were fewer infections among vaccinated attendees who had received a booster shot. (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report)

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) unveiled plans for the “next phase” of managing COVID-19 in the state that focuses on detecting variants early, stockpiling high-quality masks, and contracting with a rapid test manufacturer. (Politico)

As of 8 a.m. ET on Friday, the unofficial COVID-19 toll in the U.S. reached 78,269,887 cases and 931,742 deaths, increases of 96,567 and 3,223, respectively, from the same time yesterday.

At least 6.7 million children could lose Medicaid coverage once the public health emergency ends. (CNN)

Health Canada approved Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine for adults. (CBC)

South Korea’s new daily COVID-19 cases topped 100,000 for the first time. (Reuters)

The World Health Organization (WHO) said countries with surging COVID infections can shorten the recommended 14-day quarantine period in some situations. (Reuters)

The WHO also reported an outbreak of wild poliovirus type 1 in Malawi after a case was detected in a young child, the first in Africa in more than 5 years.

The 2022 Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices adult immunization schedule included changes to zoster, pneumococcal, and hepatitis B vaccines. (Annals of Internal Medicine)

New NIH guidelines called for shorter courses of drugs to treat tuberculosis infection in adults and adolescents with HIV.

Kids with insomnia symptoms were significantly more likely to develop an insomnia disorder as young adults than children who didn’t have trouble sleeping. (Pediatrics)

In rats, mRNA was used at low doses to regenerate bone. (Science Advances)

The FDA approved mitapivat (Pyrukynd) tablets to treat hemolytic anemia in adults with pyruvate kinase deficiency.

And the FDA issued a warning to healthcare professionals about risks associated with compounded ketamine nasal sprays.

The agency also said to not use certain batches of Similac, Alimentum, or EleCare powdered infant formulas due to customer complaints of Cronobacter sakazakii and Salmonella Newport infections in babies. Formula maker Abbott is recalling the products.

HRB Brands said it’s recalling Sure and Brut aerosol deodorant sprays due to the presence of benzene.

The FTC was deadlocked on a motion to study the contracting practices of pharmacy benefit managers. (Fierce Healthcare)

The jury has been selected in the trial of William Husel, DO, a former critical care physician in Ohio who faces 14 counts of murder for allegedly ordering lethal doses of fentanyl for his patients. (WOSU)