Washington, Oregon, and Nevada join California in effort to review COVID-19 vaccine safety
The states of Washington, Oregon, and Nevada have joined California’s COVID-19 Scientific Safety Review Workgroup, which will independently review the safety and efficacy of any vaccine approved by the FDA for distribution. “California has led with science and data through the COVID... Read More »
Sanofi, GSK sign agreement to make vaccine candidate available to COVAX
Sanofi and GSK have signed an agreement with Gavi, the legal administrator of the COVAX Facility, to make available 200 million doses of their COVID-19 vaccine, if approved by regulators, to the COVAX Facility. “To address a global health crisis of this magnitude, it takes unique partnerships.... Read More »
HHS, DoD purchase 300,000 doses of COVID-19 therapeutic from Eli Lilly
Over the next two months, the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Defense (DoD) will provide $375 million to Eli Lilly and Company in exchange for 300,000 doses of its investigational COVID-19 therapeutic, LY-CoV555. These will be the first doses of the drug available. If... Read More »
BARDA requests abstract submissions for development of repurposed therapeutics
The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) began this month soliciting support for repurposing therapeutics into medical countermeasures against chemical threats. The organization is now accepting abstract submissions for potential funding through its Division of... Read More »
Rule targets American worker protections
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials are espousing the benefits of a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) designed to protect American workers while also strengthening the economy. The revision would prioritize the selection of H-1B registrations based on corresponding wage levels to... Read More »
Air Force, Lockheed advance airlifters assessment
Lockheed Martin has secured a $25 million contract from the Air Force Strategic Development Planning and Experimentation (SDPE) Office to assess airlifters potential to deliver large volumes of air-launched weapons. The initiative would involve the next phase of the Palletized Munitions... Read More »
GAO offers recommendations on DHS efforts to improve workforce
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has issued the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) three recommendations regarding the department's efforts to improve workforce planning and monitoring. The GAO analysis stemmed from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) within DHS increasing its... Read More »
Lawmakers seek information on DoD’s role in Operation Warp Speed
A group of lawmakers is requesting the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) to conduct a hearing regarding the Department of Defense's (DOD) role in Operation Warp Speed (OWS). Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), members of the SASC), forwarded correspondence to SASC... Read More »
Republican Congressmen introduce bill to reinforce border, transportation and cybersecurity
With the introduction of the Commitment to American Security Act (H.R. 13), U.S. Reps. Mike Rogers (R-AL) and Pete Stauber (R-MN) seek to bolster technology and manpower for security operations across various federal government aspects. “This bill will secure our southern border, strengthen... Read More »
COVID-19 vaccine efficacy should be based on standardized methods, Oxford scientists say
A collaborative paper from researchers at the University of Oxford, published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal this week, argued that meaningful comparison between potential COVID-19 vaccines will need standardized methods and ongoing studies to determine efficacy. The authors of the... Read More »
Sens. Van Hollen, Young urge Trump to extend New START arms agreement with Russia
U.S. Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Todd Young (R-IN) are urging the Trump Administration to extend the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) with Russia. The senators said it's vital to preserve the New START agreement for national security and nuclear stability with Russia.... Read More »
Rep. Katko introduces bill to restore axed DHS program to assess impact of pandemics on critical infrastructure
U.S. Rep. John Katko (R-NY) introduced legislation to restore a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) program designed to assess a pandemic's potential implications on critical infrastructure. The bipartisan Analyzing Disaster Vulnerabilities and Applicable National Capabilities for... Read More »
Congressional lawmakers urge leadership top develop pandemic policy plans
A group of Congressional lawmakers recently urged House and Senate leadership to develop policy plans to prevent and mitigate the impact of future pandemics. In a letter signed by 134 senators and members of the House, the lawmakers pointed out that the United States leads the world with more... Read More »
Michigan system tracks opioid overdoses in real time, shows rise after COVID-19 arrival
A Michigan system that tracks suspected opioid deaths and naloxone use by first responders gives a better picture of how opioid overdoses rose after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The real-time tracking system developed by the University of Michigan Injury Prevention Center (IPC), in... Read More »