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A meta-analysis investigated ivermectin, an antiparasitic drug, in 24 randomized clinical trials with 3,328 patients, which showed in-vitro activity against the SARS-COV-2 coronavirus at high concentrations.
Published by Oxford Academic on July 6, 2021, Ivermectin was associated with reduced inflammatory markers (C-Reactive Protein, d-dimer, and ferritin) and faster viral clearance.
In eleven randomized trials of moderate/severe infection, there was a 56% reduction in mortality with favorable clinical recovery and reduced hospitalization.
However, many studies included were not peer-reviewed, and a wide range of doses was evaluated.
Currently, the World Health Organization recommends the use of ivermectin only inside clinical trials.
To better understand this drug's clinical effectiveness, a network of large studies are in progress to validate the results seen to date.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed on July 6, 2021, the 'continued use of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in all recommended age groups will prevent morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 that far exceed the number of cases of myocarditis expected.'
However, the CDC also stated in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 'within the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), 1,226 reports of myocarditis after mRNA vaccination were received from December 29, 2020 - June 11, 2021.
Among persons with reported myocarditis after mRNA vaccination, the median age was 26 years, with a median symptom onset interval of 3 days after vaccination.
Among 1,194 reports for which patient age was known, 923 were male, and 76% occurred after receiving dose #2 of mRNA vaccine.
Cases were reported after both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines.
Follow-up is ongoing to identify and understand longer-term outcomes after myocarditis occurring after COVID-19 vaccination, says the CDC.
'The benefits (prevention of COVID-19 disease and associated hospitalizations, ICU admissions, and deaths) outweighed the risks (expected myocarditis cases after vaccination) in all populations for which vaccination has been recommended.'
'However, the balance of benefits and risks varied by age and sex because cases of myocarditis were primarily identified among males aged <30 years, and the risks of poor outcomes related to COVID-19 increase with age.'
Information on how to submit a report to VAERS is available at https://vaers.hhs.gov/index.html or 1-800-822-7967.
Note: as of June 23, 2021, the United Kingdom Medicines & Healthcare Regulatory Agency had received 60 reports of myocarditis and 42 reports of pericarditis following use of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, as well as one report each of viral pericarditis and Streptococcal endocarditis. And there have been 5 reports of myocarditis and 2 reports of pericarditis following the use of COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna up to the same date.
Additionally, the European Medicines Agency publishes safety updates for the COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the EU. The Comirinaty (Pfizer-BioNTech) and SpikeVax (Moderna) updates are hyperlinked as of July 6, 2021.
The UK's Prime Minister made clear in statements published on July 5, 2021, that learning to live with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus meant cases would continue to rise significantly, even if the success of the vaccination program meant hospitalizations and deaths would rise at a lower level than during previous peaks.
As of July 6, 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic continues surging. About 28,00 new cases and 37 deaths within 28 days of a positive test were reported across the UK.
Subject to a final review of the data next week, legal restrictions will end on July 19, 2021.
In England, COVID restrictions are set to end from step #4 of the Roadmap. Limits on social contact will end, meaning there will be no restrictions on indoor or outdoor gatherings.
However, proof of vaccination or a negative test will still be required for international travel. And if you’re traveling to England, what you need to do depends on where you have been in the 10 days before arriving.
The prime minister confirms that the Transport Secretary will provide a further update later this week on removing the need for fully vaccinated arrivals from an amber country to isolate.
A specialty vaccine company focused on the development and commercialization of prophylactic vaccines for infectious diseases with a significant unmet medical need announced it would host a virtual symposium titled, “Developing new vaccines to protect against infectious diseases at home and abroad” on July 9, 2021, at 14:15 CEST at the 31st European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID).
The symposium on chikungunya will be chaired by Katrin Dubischar, VP Program Director Chikungunya Vaccine at Valneva.
To Valneva’s knowledge, VLA1553 is currently the only chikungunya vaccine candidate in Phase 3 clinical trials that targets long-term protection with a single administration. The program was granted Fast Track designation by the U.S. FDA in December 2018 and PRIME designation by the European Medicines Agency in October 2020.
Prof. Thomas Jelinek, renowned key opinion leader and Medical Director of Berlin Centre for Travel and Tropical Medicine, will present on chikungunya disease and results of the Phase 1 study of Valneva’s single-dose chikungunya vaccine candidate VLA1553.
To digitally attend the ECCMID conference and participate in Valneva’s symposium, you can register at this weblink.
Planned Parenthood launched free Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV), Texas, on July 1, 2021. According to KVEO reporting, this vaccination program will operate throughout 2021 and is offered to people nine to 45.
Planned Parenthood will host a free HPV vaccine clinic on July 14, 2021, at their Harlingen, TX location. Walk-in services are accepted, but scheduling an appointment is recommended.
“Cervical cancer is one of the few cancers that can be prevented with a vaccine,” said Planned Parenthood health promoter Claudia Escalante.
The HPV vaccine (Gardisil 9) helps protect certain people against the types of HPV that can lead to cancer or genital warts. Depending on the patient’s age, two or three vaccine doses will be needed. The HPV vaccine protects against:
- HPV types 16 and 18 — the 2 types that cause 80% of cervical cancer cases.
- HPV types 6 and 11, which cause 90% of genital warts cases.
- Another 5 types of HPV (types 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58) can lead to cancer of the cervix, anus, vulva/vagina, penis, or throat.
However, if you already have an HPV infection, getting an HPV vaccine can’t treat it but can protect people from getting other types of HPV.
'You deserve to be healthy, regardless of whether you have health insurance. Talk with the staff at your local Planned Parenthood health center or another nurse or doctor to get more information about ways to make the vaccine more affordable.' To schedule an appointment or to learn more about the HPV vaccine, call Planned Parenthood at 800-230-7526.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government's COVID-19 website reported on July 5, 2021, the rate of increase of new positive cases has been rising considerably for three weeks. Considering the increase in the movement of people and the effects of the SARS-CoV-2 virus variants, a rapid resurgence in infections is feared.
The AP also reported Tokyo medical experts had warned the Summer Olympics opening July 23, 2021, which brings together 15,000 athletes, 50,000 officials, and 70,000 volunteers, could become a COVID-19 superspreader event.
The U.S. CDC says 'Do not travel internationally until you are fully vaccinated. If you are not fully vaccinated and must travel, follow CDC’s international travel recommendations for unvaccinated people.'
The CDC suggests travelers planning to visit Japan ensure they are fully vaccinated against various diseases, not just COVID-19.
An updated listing of travel vaccines is published on this webpage.
The World Health Organization (WHO) does not consider the 'Delta Plus' coronavirus variant to be a "variant of concern" because infection rates are still modest, said Chief Scientist Dr. Soumya Swaminathan.
The WHO expert told NDTV on July 1, 2021, that the 'Delta' variant is labeled as a "variant of concern" but not its mutated version—Delta Plus.
Dr. Swaminathan explained that "I think it is important that we don't panic over every new mutation. This is an expected evolution of the coronavirus."
The U.S. CDC says 'Variants of concern might require one or more appropriate public health actions, such as notification to WHO under the International Health Regulations, reporting to CDC, local or regional efforts to control spread, increased testing, or research to determine the effectiveness of vaccines and treatments against the variant.'
As of July 5, 2021, current variants of concern in the USA are included on this CDC webpage.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Federal Aviation Administration welcome the traveling public back to the nation’s transportation systems. As of July 4, 2021, the TSA's new data indicates U.S. travelers exceeded the pre-COVID-19 pandemic volume in 2019.
Since July 1, 2021, the TSA airport screening services have averaged over 2.1 million travelers.
“It’s heartening to see the country taking to travel again and traveling to enjoy the weekend and celebrate our nation’s independence,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske in a press statement issued on July 1, 2021.
“We continue to remind passengers to pack their patience and remain calm through the security checkpoint and onboard aircraft. TSA will not tolerate aggressive actions toward our officers; please help us make travel safe, secure, and pleasant on this holiday weekend.”
The U.S. government's federal face mask mandate remains in effect on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations. However, face masks are not required in outdoor conveyances (if such outdoor areas exist on the conveyance) or while outdoors at transportation hubs, says the TSA.
Some helpful reminders for the TSA checkpoint include, but are not limited to:
- Arrive early. TSA expects to see the increasing summer travel volumes continue to rise into the holiday weekend. Although nationally, our travel volume remains around 75% of pre-pandemic levels, some airports around the country have already surpassed volumes from 2019. Therefore, please arrive at the airport in plenty of time for ticketing, checking baggage, security screening, etc.
- Enroll now in TSA PreCheck® to “Travel with Ease.” By enrolling in TSA PreCheck, airline passengers can avoid removing shoes, belts, liquids, food, laptops, and light jackets at the TSA checkpoint. Most new enrollees receive their known traveler number within five days, and membership lasts for five years.
Passengers with questions about checkpoint procedures and how to prepare for TSA security screening or need additional assistance during the security screening process should contact TSA Cares in advance of their travel: (855) 787-2227 (Federal Relay 711).
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Level Three Travel Alert regarding this year's Hajj in the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia on July 1, 2021. Hajj will take place July 17-July 22, 2021. The Hajj pilgrimage to Islamic holy sites in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is one of the world’s largest mass gatherings.
Due to continuing COVID-19 concerns, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced via Twitter on June 12, 2021, that only 60,000 residents and citizens of Saudi Arabia will be permitted to perform Hajj.
Furthermore, the Saudi government has announced a series of entry restrictions, including for religious travel. Please note that the process for performing Umrah has changed significantly due to COVID-19, so all travelers should make sure to read through all requirements before booking travel.
The CDC recommends that Americans already in Saudi Arabia not make the pilgrimage. Mass gatherings, such as Hajj, can increase the risk of getting and spreading COVID-19 because it can be hard to practice physical distancing. Even fully vaccinated people may be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19 variants.
For information about COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia, please see the CDC's COVID-19 Travel Health Notice for Saudi Arabia.
Additional Hajj vaccine information is found on this webpage.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reconfirmed measles is an ongoing risk worldwide. In Africa, various countries have reported measles outbreaks, meaning the number of measles cases is higher than normal.
The CDC issued a Level 1 Travel Alert on June 30, 2021, notifying 'all travelers to Africa, including infants and pre-school aged children, should be fully protected against measles.'
'Keep in mind that destinations reporting measles outbreaks are not the only places where the infection is a risk. Locations where measles is common may have many cases but not be considered to have an outbreak.
Caused by a highly contagious virus, measles spreads from person to person by breathing, coughing, or sneezing. Signs and symptoms of measles include rash, high fever, cough, runny nose, or red, watery eyes. People can spread measles up to 4 days before and 4 days after they have a rash.
Measles can also spread in airports, on public transportation, and at tourist attractions. Thus, it is critical for travelers to be protected against measles, regardless of destination, says the CDC.
Vaccination with a measles-containing vaccine is the best way to ensure that you are protected, says the CDC.
There are two measles-containing vaccines available in the USA: measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR-II) for those aged 6 months and older, and measles, mumps, rubella & varicella (MMRV) vaccine for children aged 1 through 12 years.
