As the fight against COVID-19 reaches a critical point, we continue to closely monitor the most updated information to ensure the safety and service to all our customers, employees, and partners. Top-of-mind are the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) new guidelines to help prevent the spread of the more contagious Delta variant and their persistent urging for the unvaccinated to get their COVID-19 vaccine. The most effective strategy to combat COVID-19 continues to be more shots in arms!

Key highlights for this update:

The CDC genomic surveillance program continues to identify new and emerging SARS CoV2 variants and provides an estimated bi-weekly proportion of the most common variants circulating in the U.S. Currently, the more transmissible Delta (B.1.617.2) variant accounts for 83% of the sequenced COVID-19 cases in the U.S. 

A recent study released by the NEJM indicates two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine were 93.7% effective against the Alpha variant and 88% effective against the Delta variant indicating only a modest difference in vaccine efficacy between the two variants. These findings continue to support the importance of maximizing vaccination efforts.

For more information about COVID-19 and the vaccines, please visit our online resource center, where you’ll find resources like the JAMA Network video on Coronavirus Variants and Vaccines.

The current COVID-19 vaccines have been established as highly effective, however no vaccine prevents illness 100%. Breakthrough COVID-19 represents the small percentage of the fully vaccinated who still get COVID-19 and the fully vaccinated are significantly less likely to be hospitalized or die compared to unvaccinated people. As discussed in the CDC’s July 27 briefing, the data indicates that fully vaccinated individuals with rare breakthrough infections can still have high virus activity and therefore the ability to pass the virus to others.  Hence, to protect others who are at higher risk, the CDC has made its interim recommendations.

The CDC’s recommendations for fully vaccinated individuals are: (1) wear a mask in public indoor settings with high COVID activity (2) consider wearing a mask regardless of COVID activity if you are immunosuppressed, at high risk of severe disease, or are in close contact with someone who is immunosuppressed, at high risk of severe disease, or unvaccinated and (3) get tested and follow other precautions if you have been exposed to a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19. 

Lastly, the CDC recommended universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to schools, regardless of vaccination status.

Millions of people have been vaccinated, but there are still many unvaccinated Americans at risk and it is critical to build vaccine confidence and promote vaccination for those who are currently eligible but unvaccinated.

When might we expect full FDA approval for COVID-19 vaccines currently under Emergency Use Authorization in the U.S.? As of July 16, the FDA has accepted Pfizer’s application under “priority review”. The FDA has until January 2022 to review the material however, the review is among the FDA’s highest priorities and the agency expects to complete the review well in advance of this date.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) updated their 2021-2022 school year guidance and strongly recommends: in-person learning, eligible individuals be vaccinated against COVID-19, and universal face-masking for all students older than 2 years and all school staff. The CDC’s updated guidance for schools, announced July 27, aligns with the recommendations of the AAP.

ACIP meeting highlights included COVID-19 vaccine updates on Guillain-Barré Syndrome, the benefits and risks, and considerations for immunocompromised individuals.

We will continue to update the Ventegra COVID-19 Resource Center as new information becomes available and encourage you to check back frequently.

Mark Shinmoto, Pharm.D., V.P. Chief Pharmacy Officer