close Video Johnson & Johnson vaccine on track for final approval in coming days The single-dose vaccine is a 'big addition' the COVID-19 vaccine arsenal, Fox News medical contributor Dr. Marc Siegel says. A U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory committee on Friday is slated to vote on Johnson & Johnson’s one-dose COVID-19 jab, with the panel expected to recommend that the FDA formally grant the shot emergency use approval in a race to vaccinate as many Americans as possible in the continued fight against the novel coronavirus. The jab — derived from an adenovirus vector formula, unlike the vaccines created by Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech which were created using mRNA technology and have already seen emergency use approval — was found to have a "favorable safety profile with no specific concerns identified that would preclude issuance of an EUA," the FDA said in documents posted ahead of Friday's meeting. The vaccine candidate proved to be 66.9% effective against moderate-to-severe disease in a global trial two weeks post-vaccination, with the company seeking authorization for use in individuals ages 18 and older. If the committee endorses the vaccine, and the FDA clears the J&J shot for U.S. use, it will not boost vaccine supplies significantly right away. Only a few million doses are expected to be ready for shipping in the first week. But J&J told Congress this week that it expects to provide 20 million doses by the end of March and 100 million by summer. FDA EASES PFIZER COVID-19 VACCINE SHIPPING, STORAGE TEMPERATURES Still, "once approved for emergency use, the J&J vaccine will become the third sharp arrow in our quiver to defeat this awful virus. More production means more people will be vaccinated sooner – to mitigate transmission, quell the pandemic, and reduce future deaths," Dr. Robert Amler, dean of the School of Health Sciences and Practice at New York Medical ...
Global supply chain trends
Hyatt touts ‘a highly inclusive environment’ in defense of hosting CPAC
A spokesperson for the Hyatt Regency in Orlando, Fla. is defending the hotel’s decision to host this weekend's Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), citing the hospitality company's "highly inclusive environment." “We take pride in operating a highly inclusive environment and we believe that the facilitation of gatherings is a central element of what we do as a hospitality company,” the spokesperson said in a statement to Fox Business. “We believe in the right of individuals and organizations to peacefully express their views, independent of the degree to which the perspectives of those hosting meetings and events at our hotels align with ours,” the spokesperson added. “Our own values support a culture that is characterized by empathy, respect and diversity of opinions and backgrounds, and we strive to bring this to light through what we do and how we engage with those in our care.” ADVERTISEMENT The statement comes in the wake of some calls online to boycott the hotel chain over its hosting of the conservative event. Several unrelated tweets by the hotel chain were “ratioed” over the weekend by users objecting to the chain's hosting of the conference. Hit the slopes then hit pause and enjoy a refreshing cocktail with Colorado mountain views at @ParkHyattBC . How do you après-ski? https://t.co/7gafaJqQx3 pic.twitter.com/mLuJQvJpZ2 — hyatt (@Hyatt) February 25, 2021 Enjoy sun splashed luxury in the heart of Mexico's Riviera Maya. @ThompsonPlaya Del Carmen gives you the choice of two luxury resort experiences and a beachfront refuge just a short stroll away at the Beach House. https://t.co/8DOT38gr7R pic.twitter.com/eY1RiAl9K9 — hyatt (@Hyatt) February 24, 2021 ADVERTISEMENT Now’s the perfect time to plan a break and get rewarded with Bonus Journeys. Thousands of Bonus Points. One free night. Lasting memories. Stay by June 15. Registration required. Terms apply. https://t.co/65q80nBy1o ...
Protect yourself from COVID with these innovative and affordable products
The Hill may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you buy through our links. You can't leave home without your mask these days and, even as we attempt to resume some normalcy , it seems that will remain the case for a while. Despite an altered lifestyle for essentially everyone, advancements in mask-wearing technology have provided new solutions and innovative opportunities to approach daily endeavors with increased confidence in personal comfort and safety. With so many options, here's a rundown of best-selling, high-tech masks, including several that are on sale. Find the right fit for you. FDA-Registered KN95 Face Masks Recommended by the CDC for non-medical professionals, these masks feature a five-layer design that is proven to provide 95% filtration against dust, pollution, and airborne particulates. Get FDA-Registered KN95 Face Masks for $26.99 (reg. $59). FDA-Registered 3-Ply Face Masks Made from non-woven fabric that's breathable, moisture-proof, non-toxic, and hypoallergenic, these masks feature high-elastic ear loops and an adjustable nose bridge for a perfect fit. Get FDA-Registered 3-Ply Face Masks for $16.99 (reg. $49). TAKTA Form-Fitting Mask with 5-Layer Filter Technology With two exhalation valves, this mask supplies purified air that passes through five-layer filtration and prevents air leakage with a personalized fit. Get the TAKTA Form-Fitting Mask with 5-Layer Filter Technology for $32.95 (reg. $49). Go Incognito Outdoor Cap Providing an extra preventative measure, this hat is the perfect fit for any weather, as it protects the head and neck against the threat of a scorching sun, along with precipitation and high winds, while supplying ventilation. Get the Go Incognito Outdoor Cap for $34.99 (reg. $50). KN95 Folding 4-Layer Face Masks These masks offer four layers of reinforced protection, a double layer of non-woven fabric that is gentle on the skin, and feature a ...
Biden administration buys 100,000 doses of Lilly antibody drug
The Biden administration on Friday announced an agreement to purchase 100,000 doses of Eli Lilly's monoclonal antibody cocktail that was recently authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The move will increase the available supply of one of the few proven treatments for people with COVID-19. The antibody drugs are authorized for use in patients who are at high risk of becoming seriously ill but are not yet hospitalized. Under the agreement, the federal government will pay $210 million for the initial purchase of up to 100,000 treatment courses of the therapeutic, which is a combination of the drug bamlanivimab, which was authorized last November for high-risk COVID-19 patients, with a second drug known as etesevimab. ADVERTISEMENT The combination received emergency use authorization earlier this month , after data showed it reduced the risk of hospitalization and death by 70 percent. The agreement includes flexibility to purchase up to a total of 1.2 million doses through November, but it will likely depend on the course of the pandemic over the next several months. The government has already committed to purchase a total of 1,450,000 doses of bamlanivimab alone, which includes more than 1 million doses that have been delivered and an agreement to deliver 450,000 additional doses by the end of March. The government has said it will provide neutralizing antibodies at no out-of-pocket cost to patients, although health care facilities may charge a fee for the product's administration. To receive an antibody therapeutic treatment, patients should contact their health care providers. ADVERTISEMENT Another antibody treatment manufactured by Regeneron is also authorized by FDA. Regeneron is supplying the federal government up to 1.5 million doses. But despite their effectiveness and the federal efforts to encourage use, antibody therapy has seen lackluster demand. Supply was limited at first, and making ...
Chinese Investment in Australia Plummets Amid Tensions
SYDNEY - Chinese investment in Australia fell by 61% in 2020 to the lowest level recorded by the Australian National University in six years, coinciding with a worsening diplomatic dispute. The annual tracking study from the university's East Asian Bureau of Economic Research recorded A$1 billion ($783 million) of Chinese investment in 2020, consisting of real estate (45%), mining (40%) and manufacturing (15%) deals. The fall was larger than the 42% decrease in foreign direct investment globally measured by the United Nations amid the COVID-19 pandemic, said Shiro Armstrong, the bureau director. Australia announced a shakeup of its foreign investment laws in 2020 to give the government the power to veto, or force the sale of a business if it creates a national security risk. Treasurer Josh Frydenburg said in June the national security test would be applied to telecommunications, energy and utilities firms, and businesses that collect data. Chinese company Mengniu abandoned a deal to buy the Australia dairy firm Lion Dairy and Drinks from Japanese company Kirin in August, after the Australian government indicated it would block the sale. China has since imposed dumping tariffs on Australian wine and barley, and restricted the unloading of Australian coal at Chinese ports. Chinese investment in Australia peaked at A$16.5 billion in 2016, spanning agriculture, transport, energy utilities, healthcare, mining and property, the ANU study showed. By 2020, 86% of Chinese investment in Australia came from the Australian subsidiaries of Chinese companies. ...
