With inputs from Dr Monica Vasudev

Now Finland stops Moderna Covid-19 vaccine for men younger than 30

Finland has discontinued Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine for younger males after a study showed that men below the age of 30 years were more at risk of myocarditis. Earlier this week, Sweden and Denmark had stopped using Moderna vaccine for all young adults and children. Norway recommends Pfizer vaccine for men under the age of 30 years. The study involved participants from Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark is yet to be published; however, preliminary data has been sent to the EMA for evaluation … (Medscape)

HEPA filters may reduce hospital-acquired SARS-CoV-2 infection

A preprint study suggests that high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters and UV light sterilization effectively remove SARS-CoV-2 particles from the air. “Airborne SARS-CoV-2 was detected in the ward on all five days before activation of air/UV filtration, but on none of the five days when the air/UV filter was operational; SARS-CoV-2 was again detected on four out of five days when the filter was off. Airborne SARS-CoV-2 was infrequently detected in the ICU.” Not just SARS-CoV-2, other microbial bioaerosols were also significantly reduced in both the ward and ICU… (Source: medRxiv)

A long-acting monoclonal antibody combination to prevent and treat Covid-19

Results of the phase III international multicenter trial TACKLE trial show that compared to placebo, AZD7442, the long-acting combination of two monoclonal antibodies (tixagevimab and cilgavimab) reduced risk of severe COVID-19 and all-cause mortality by 50% in non-hospitalized adults with mild to moderate COVID-19 within 7 days of onset of symptoms. Out of a total of 822 participants, there were 18 events in the monoclonal antibody group compared to 37 in the placebo group; 4.4% vs 9.9%, respectively…. (Source: Medpage Today)

WHO constitutes a new expert group to examine the origin of Covid-19

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday launched an expert group of 26 scientists that will examine the origins of new pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. The proposed members of the WHO Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO) were selected for their expertise in areas such as epidemiology, animal health, clinical medicine, virology and genomics.  “SAGO will advise WHO on the development of a global framework to define and guide studies into the origins of emerging and re-emerging pathogens with epidemic and pandemic potential, including SARS-CoV-2,” said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus … (Source: UN News)