3/15—15%–24% lower odds of severe COVID-19 with influenza vaccination
Association between influenza vaccination and hospitalisation or all-cause mortality in people with COVID-19: a retrospective cohort study
The cohort included 6921 people with COVID-19 during the first wave of the pandemic (1 January–31 July 2020). 2613 (38%) participants received an influenza vaccination between 1 January 2019 and COVID-19 diagnosis. Receipt of influenza vaccination was associated with a significantly lower odds of hospitalisation or all-cause mortality (adjusted OR: 0.85, 95% CI 0.75 to 0.97, p=0.02), and 24% reduced odds of all-cause mortality (adjusted OR: 0.76, 95% CI 0.64 to 0.90). The current UK influenza vaccination programme needs urgent expansion as an integral component of the ongoing response plans to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Comparing Vaccination Strategies in Canada Under Different Assumptions
[Preprint.] The first strategy is the manufacturer recommended standard of two doses (two-dose strategy) given within 21 days apart. [The second strategy is] giving a larger group a single dose of vaccine by delaying the second injection. In the best-guess scenarios where a 75% reduction in disease transmission and a 92.6% effectiveness at preventing disease from a single dose were used, the first-dose-for-most strategy was superior in a situation with reduced vaccine doses available, and switching to the first-dose-for-most strategy earlier helped to prevent a higher proportion of cases and deaths.
Resistance of SARS-CoV-2 variants to neutralization by monoclonal and serum-derived polyclonal antibodies
Here, using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), animal immune sera, human convalescent sera and human sera from recipients of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine, we report the impact on antibody neutralization of a panel of authentic SARS-CoV-2 variants including a B.1.1.7 isolate, chimeric strains with South African or Brazilian spike genes and isogenic recombinant viral variants. Many highly neutralizing mAbs engaging the receptor-binding domain or N-terminal domain and most convalescent sera and mRNA vaccine-induced immune sera showed reduced inhibitory activity against viruses containing an E484K spike mutation. Adjustments to the spike sequences of vaccines may be needed to prevent loss of protection in vivo.
Does wearing a mask in public decrease the transmission of COVID-19?
Forty-nine studies were identified: one randomized controlled trial (RCT); 15 observational studies; 27 ecological studies; and six reviews. The RCT reported insignificant results for mask usage (OR 0.82, 95% CI: 0.54–1.23, p=0.33). All 15 observational studies showed decreased transmission with mask use, although it was not always statistically significant. In the ecological studies, n=26/27 studies demonstrated that face mask policies were associated with a decrease in COVID-19 infections and deaths. Of the six reviews, the most recent systematic review and meta-analysis with a high AMSTAR (A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews) rating found that wearing a mask significantly reduced the risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection (OR 0.38, 95% CI: 0.21–0.69, I2=54.1%). This body of evidence suggests that mask use does decrease transmission in the community when adherence levels are good and when masks are worn in accordance with public health guidance.
Association of State-Issued Mask Mandates and Allowing On-Premises Restaurant Dining with County-Level COVID-19 Case and Death Growth Rates — United States, March 1–December 31, 2020
Mandating masks was associated with a decrease in daily COVID-19 case and death growth rates within 20 days of implementation. Allowing on-premises restaurant dining was associated with an increase in daily COVID-19 case growth rates 41–100 days after implementation and an increase in daily death growth rates 61–100 days after implementation.