More than half a year has passed since the first vaccine for COVID-19 was given emergency authorization, and almost half the United States has protection against the SARS-CoV-2 virus as a result. Yet children under the age of 12, for whom the vaccines haven’t yet been authorized, have been unable to take advantage. Vaccine makers … Continued
Jeff Gerber, who is heading the clinical trial of the Moderna vaccine in kids under 12 at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), speaks with Penn Today about the trial and why getting children vaccinated is so essential.
Between December 2020 and February 2021, three drugmakers received Emergency Use Authorizations to distribute COVID-19 vaccines. The next step is a biologics license application—the technical name for full approval—a process Pfizer and Moderna have already begun. Experts from Penn are keeping a close eye on these regulatory steps, as well as the reporting mechanisms involved … Continued
Penn Medicine research shows COVID-19-positive patients with traumatic injuries have six times higher risk of death and complication than patients without COVID.
Drew Weissman and Katalin Karikó earned the prestigious honor for their foundational research that led to development of two lifesaving mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.
Thanks to researchers in different fields who put in nearly two decades of past work on mRNA vaccine technology, people around the world are being immunized today from COVID-19 — and hopefully leading us out of this pandemic. Now, because of the increased focus on this versatile technology and that foundation of research, mRNA vaccines … Continued
In patients with blood cancers who contract COVID-19, CD8 T cells may fight the infection when B cells and antibodies are depleted by drug treatment, researchers suggest. “We were very concerned about our patients being treated with anti-CD20 during COVID-19 and we were encouraged to see that there were many patients who recovered, despite having … Continued
A year after the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn LDI) created a program of Rapid Response Grants for COVID-19 research, the projects have produced important new insights relevant to current pandemic response, as well as preparations for future infectious disease emergencies.
Monoclonal antibody infusion is shown to significantly reduce the risk of hospitalization or death in people age 65 or older, and those with certain chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, or obesity. Children ages 12 and over who have serious medical conditions may also benefit from the treatment. “Nationally, individuals with certain risk … Continued
A small molecule STING agonist was highly protective against the virus that causes COVID-19 and likely other coronaviruses The drug diABZI — which activates the body′s innate immune response — was highly effective in preventing severe COVID-19 in mice that were infected with SARS-CoV-2, according to scientists in the Perelman School of Medicine at the … Continued