With inputs from Dr Monica Vasudev

FDA approves Covid-19 vaccine booster dose for all adults

All adults (≥18 years) in the United States can now take a single booster dose after completion of primary vaccination with any FDA-authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine following the amendment of the emergency use authorizations (EUA) for both the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). All those who received their primary vaccination at least six months before are eligible for the booster… (Source: US FDA, November 19, 2021).

Eye manifestations of Covid-19

Several eye manifestations have been linked to Covid-19, according to findings presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). These include conjunctivitis, photophobia, retinal hemorrhage, optic neuritis. Rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) is more likely in patients with diabetes and those on steroids. Some eye manifestations are related to sequelae of COVID-19 such as meningitis, ptosis, eye muscle movements, eye fatigue. Corneal verticillata may develop in Covid patients who develop arrhythmia and are put on amiodarone… (Source: Medpage Today, November 16, 2021)

Monoclonal antibodies reduce hospitalization in patients with breakthrough Covid-19

In a study of 1395 fully vaccinated patients with breakthrough Covid-19, early treatment with anti-spike monoclonal antibody treatment significantly reduced the risk of hospitalization (Odds Ratio 0.227) by reducing disease severity, according to a study published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases.  The degree of medical comorbidity was assessed using Monoclonal Antibody Screening Score (MASS), clinical criteria for risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes ... MASS assigned points to characteristics and comorbidity that made a person eligible for monoclonal antibody, according to the initial Food and Drug Administration (FDA)… (Source: Journal of Infectious Diseases, Nov. 18, 2021)

Low mortality risk in Covid patients on SSRIs

According to a retrospective multicenter study reported in JAMA Network Open, Covid-19 patients prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) had a modest but significant 8% reduced risk of death. Overall, 14.6% of patients on an SSRI died from Covid-19 compared to 16.6% of patients who had never taken an SSRI. Specifically, the risk was lower in Covid-19 patients on fluoxetine; 9.8% vs 13.3%, respectively… (Source: JAMA Network Open, Nov. 15, 2021)

Effectiveness of public health measures in reducing Covid-19

Reiterating the effectiveness of public health measures, a new systematic review and meta-analysis from Monash University in Australia has shown 53% reduction in the incidence of Covid-19 with mask wearing and a 25% reduction with physical distancing and recommends that Covid-19 protocols such as handwashing, mask wearing, and physical distancing should be continued together with vaccination… (Source: BMJ, Nov. 18, 2021)