Threats
FDA schedules December advisory committee meeting to address Pfzer’s COVID-19 vaccine
Members of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) will assemble on December 10 to discuss an emergency use authorization request for Pfizer, Inc.’s and BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate. The candidate made... Read More »
AstraZeneca, Oxford COVID-19 vaccine 70 percent effective on average, but cheaper and more easily distributed than rivals
Results from clinical trials of AZD1222, a COVID-19 vaccine candidate developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University, made it the third major candidate to post late-stage data, with an average efficacy of 70 percent, but with a lower price point and needs than its competitors. Whereas the two... Read More »
HHS to conduct pilot program for rapid result COVID-19 tests in five states
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is launching a pilot program for COVID-19 test kits that provide rapid results. The pilot program for these portable, cartridge-based COVID-19 molecular test kits will be done in five states, Florida, Louisiana, New Jersey, Texas, and... Read More »
Bill targets healthcare industry PPE shortages
A group of lawmakers recently introduced legislation designed to address healthcare industry personnel personal protective equipment shortages amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Sens. Patty Murray (D-WA), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Gary Peters (D-MI), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Chris Murphy (D-CT) said the... Read More »
Pfizer, BioNTech submit for emergency use authorization of COVID-19 vaccine with FDA
After displaying 95 percent efficacy in their COVID-19 vaccine candidate, Pfizer and BioNTeach have filed a request to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to grant them an emergency use authorization (EUA) that would allow its rollout next month. High-risk populations will be the first... Read More »
Viken Detection launches multi-tiered X-ray approach to detecting concealed contraband
A new line of X-ray scanners being offered by Viken Detection, ranging from handheld devices to vehicle-focused drive over scanners, offers law enforcement and others the possibility of greater flexibility and capability in contraband detection, including the possibility to see through... Read More »
Pennsylvania urges implementation of Highly-Pathogenic Avian Influenza biosecurity
Pennsylvania state officials are encouraging the poultry industry to expedite biosecurity practices in the wake of East Asia and Europe reporting Highly-Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) cases. "Written biosecurity plans are good, but they are only effective when deliberately acted upon day in... Read More »
Montana air base to receive helicopter fleet upgrade
Air Force officials said Cascade County, Montana-based Malmstrom Air Force Base will be the first site to receive new MH-139 Grey Wolf helicopters to replace the Vietnam-era Huey fleet. The new fleet is expected to be fully operational by 2023. Malmstrom Air Force Base serves as a vital... Read More »
FDA grants first emergency use authorization for a fully self-administered, at-home COVID-19 testing kit
Lucira Health nabbed the first emergency use authorization (EUA) for an at-home COVID-19 testing kit from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this week, opening up a new option for patients age 14 or older who health care providers suspect of having COVID-19. The diagnostic is a... Read More »
CEPI builds collaborative task force to monitor new COVID-19 viral strains and their effects on vaccines
As the world moves closer to one or more potential COVID-19 vaccines, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) has formed a collaborative effort to monitor the emergence of new COVID-19 viral strains and evaluate any impacts they may have on those candidates. Other coalition... Read More »
GOP lawmakers seeks information from CDC on lab capacity for COVID-19 research
Republican leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives are seeking information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on BioSafety Level (BSL)-3 and Animal BSL (ABSL)-3 laboratory capacity to conduct animal model research for COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics, and... Read More »
Senators urge HHS, CDC to ensure that states have ultra-cold storage for COVID-19 vaccines
A group of Senate Democratic recently urged the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to work with state and local officials to identify gaps in ultra-cold storage capability, particularly in rural and underserved communities. This... Read More »
NTI, CENESS advocate sustainment of International Atomic Energy Agency initiative
A new Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) and Center for Energy and Security Studies (CENESS) report seeks U.S. and Russia support in sustaining International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) work. The Future of IAEA Safeguards: Rebuilding the Vienna Spirit through Russian-U.S. Expert Dialogue resulted... Read More »
Successful missile defense exercise highlighted
The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) said the recent successful execution of a missile defense exercise serves as a milestone for the Aegis BMD SM-3 Block IIA program. Navy sailors aboard the USS John Finn (DDG-113), an Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) System-equipped destroyer, intercepted and... Read More »
GAO reports Operation Warp Speed producing quick results, FDA transparency needed
A partnership between the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Defense (DoD) known as Operation Warp Speed has accelerated efforts to develop COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics, but transparency is lacking, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) said. Typically, vaccine... Read More »
Oregon lawmakers seek financial help from FEMA in fighting wildfires
Federal lawmakers from Oregon are requesting financial assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help offset the costs of fighting the wildfires. Specifically, they are asking FEMA to assume 100 percent of the cost share for debris removal and emergency protective... Read More »
Report from U.S. Sen. Peters warns of vaccine distribution dangers posed by transition hold-up
Distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in the United States could be imperiled by President Donald Trump’s decision to fight a transition to the incoming administration under Joe Biden, a new report from U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) warned this week. Peters, ranking member of the Homeland Security... Read More »
Leading health organizations urge Trump administration to share COVID-19 information with Biden transition team
Officials from the nation’s leading health care organizations sent a letter to President Donald Trump urging his administration’s full cooperation in sharing critical COVID-19 information with the Biden transition team. “As organizations representing the nation’s hospitals and health... Read More »
U.S. House approves 10 healthcare bills, including several targeting opioid crisis
The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday approved 10 healthcare bills, including several aimed at tackling the nation’s ongoing opioid crisis, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. “The measures advanced today aim to address some of the many challenges Americans are facing... Read More »
Report says violent crime decreased in jurisdictions that enacted police reform
According to the Center for American Progress, an independent thinktank, violent crime rates dropped in 10 jurisdictions that enacted comprehensive police reform. The group analyzed violent crime rates in 10 jurisdictions where the police department fulfilled a reform agreement with the U.S.... Read More »
Lawmakers support Air National Guard C-130 fleet
Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) have joined colleagues in advocating for an Air National Guard C-130 aircraft fleet to support active duty missions and domestic emergencies. Duckworth and Durbin were among the 18 lawmakers penning and forwarding correspondence to the Armed... Read More »
Bolstered hate crimes data collection, reporting sought
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) is advocating federal lawmakers and law enforcement agencies enhance hate crimes data collection and reporting in the wake of incidents rising. The ADL said the call to action stems from the FBI’s annual Hate Crime Statistics Act (HCSA) report, determining 2019... Read More »
BARDA, DiaSorin expand partnership to pursue COVID-19 antibody test
A SARS-CoV-2 antibody test conceived by DiaSorin Inc. will benefit from an expanded partnership between its creator and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), the pair announced this week. The enhanced immunoassay detects SARS-CoV-2 -- the virus that causes COVID-19... Read More »
Inovio begins Phase 2 of COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial
With funding from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Inovio Pharmaceuticals signaled intentions to begin phase two of its Phase 2/3 clinical trial for INO-4800, its COVID-19 vaccine candidate. "Initiation of our Phase 2 trial... Read More »
Sens. Schumer, Gillibrand secure $43M for COVID-19 expenses in New York City
U.S. Sens. Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) announced that approximately $43 million in funding will be made available for New York City’s Office of Management and Budget to cover COVID-19 related expenses. Specifically, this funding covers the cost of enhanced protective... Read More »
Sen. Rubio backs executive order to prohibit US investments in Chinese firms on DoD list
President Donald Trump issued an executive order to prohibit U.S. investments in Chinese firms on the U.S. Department of Defense list of Chinese military companies. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), who introduced legislation in October that mirrors the EO, applauded the move. Rubio’s American... Read More »
BAE Systems expanding Georgia operations site
BAE Systems, one of the largest defense contractors in the Fort Gordon and Augusta, Ga., area, has secured an additional 17,000 square feet of commercial space to advance services. “We’re committed to supporting our customer’s mission by bringing innovative solutions that further enable... Read More »
Lawmakers seek bolstered support for air travel safety, tourism recovery
A group of lawmakers recently encouraged the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to enhance air travel safety and support the nation’s travel and tourism industry recovery. Sens. Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) recently joined Sens. Richard... Read More »
New Johns Hopkins COVID-19 antibody test proves highly accurate
In an initial study published in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology, a saliva-based SARS-CoV-2 antibody test from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health was deemed highly accurate in its capabilities and capable of turning out results within mere hours. "If our saliva-based assay's... Read More »
Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate displays 94.5 percent effectiveness in clinical trial
Data from the phase three trial of mRNA-1273, a COVID-19 vaccine candidate developed by Moderna, Inc., has shown promising results with a 94.5 percent efficacy rate among volunteers. “This is a pivotal moment in the development of our COVID-19 vaccine candidate,” Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel... Read More »
HHS to partner with pharmacy chains to provide access to COVID-19 vaccines
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is partnering with large chain pharmacies and networks of independent pharmacies and regional chains to maximize access to COVID-19 vaccines. This effort will cover approximately 60 percent of pharmacies throughout the 50 states, the... Read More »
WHO delegates approve roadmap for neglected tropical diseases
Delegates at the World Health Organization’s virtual World Health Assembly approved a new road map for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) for 2021−2030. The road map sets out global targets and actions to align the work of countries, partners, and stakeholders during the next decade. ... Read More »
DHS journal details large-scale chlorine research
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) has released a comprehensive journal detailing the toxic inhalation hazards of industrial chemicals like ammonia and chlorine. The Jack Rabbit II project involving multiple large-scale chlorine release experiments... Read More »
AbCellera gains emergency use authorization from FDA as treatments for mild to moderate COVID-19 cases
A Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)-supported COVID-19 treatment by AbCellera Biologics has gained emergency use authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this week, representing a major success for all involved. Specifically, the therapeutic... Read More »