Novavax Finally Requests EUA; 1 Million Excess Deaths; HHS Sec Becerra Under Fire

Note that some links may require registration or subscription.

Novavax said it requested FDA emergency use authorization (EUA) for its COVID-19 vaccine in adults; the news arrives more than 6 months after announcing its positive phase III trial results.

Meanwhile, The Washington Post reports that Pfizer and BioNTech are planning to seek an EUA for their vaccine in kids ages 6 months to 4 years while working out the kinks of its dosing plan for this younger group.

A South Korean company has developed a nose-only mask — “the kosk” — for people looking for some form of protection while eating or drinking indoors. (Washington Post)

The British government may remove mandatory COVID vaccinations for healthcare workers over concerns of critical staffing shortages. (BBC News)

As of Tuesday at 8 a.m. ET, the unofficial U.S. COVID toll is 74,943,050 cases and 886,691 deaths, up 609,522 cases and 2,246 deaths versus a day ago.

An estimated 1 million excess U.S. deaths have been recorded since the start of the pandemic, with the vast majority directly attributed to COVID-19. (Wall Street Journal)

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tested positive for COVID but said he is “feeling fine.” (AP)

White House officials have apparently become so displeased with HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra over the pandemic messaging of top health officials that they’ve floated replacing him. (Washington Post)

Robert Califf, MD, the nominee to lead the FDA, is promising to maintain strict ethical standards in an effort to sure up the vote of Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.). (Politico)

Viral RNA of SARS-CoV-2 was “infrequently” found in breast milk after an infection, and when detected it appeared unable to rise to the level of being infectious. (Nature Pediatric Research)

Orange County Public Schools in Florida, the ninth-largest school district in the nation, announced on Twitter that it will no longer allow excused absences for COVID but still urged parents to keep kids home when “exhibiting illness or symptoms of COVID-19.”

A British governmental report called the parties held by Prime Minister Boris Johnson and staff during lockdowns a “serious failure” of public office standards that were “difficult to justify”; Johnson now faces calls for his resignation. (NBC News)

A closer look at why IBM’s Watson Health failed to deliver on its promise. (Slate)

Mark Cuban’s new drug company, which purports to offer lower generics, is actually planning to run as a compounding pharmacy. (Endpoints News)

With the addition of Mexico and 11 other countries, the CDC now counts close to 130 countries and territories in its travel advisory due to COVID spread. (Reuters)

A key Chinese Olympics official said the increasing cases at the Winter Olympics in Beijing remain within the “expected controllable range.” (Reuters)