Sydney Lupkin
Stories
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Health
Feds' contract with Pfizer for Paxlovid has some surprises
NPR has obtained the government's $5.3 million contract for the first 10 million courses of Paxlovid, an antiviral pill for COVID-19. Here's what's in it.
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Health
Omicron boosters are in the works, but will they be needed?
Omicron has many more mutations than previous variants of concern, a fact that raises questions about how effective existing vaccines will be against the new form of the coronavirus.
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National
What the omicron variant might mean for current — and future — vaccines
Former scientific head of Operation Warp Speed Moncef Slaoui explains why he is confident in existing vaccines' protection against omicron and how soon a variant-specific booster could be developed.
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Health
Pfizer says it will share the rights to its COVID-19 pill
Pfizer says it is willing to share rights to its COVID-19 pill, Paxlovid. It's an oral antiviral drug that can be taken outside the hospital, which could be a help to low income countries.
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National
With an off-label drug discontinued, families' other option costs thousands more
Kids who need a hormone-blocking drug to prevent premature puberty have lost an off-label option. The company that makes the medicine, which is 1/8 the cost of the FDA-approved version, withdrew it.
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Health
The U.S. Paid Billions To Get Enough COVID Vaccines Last Fall. What Went Wrong?
Immediately after the Food and Drug Administration authorized Pfizer's vaccine, the company delivered fewer doses than its government contract projected. Federal officials say they didn't know why.
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Business
Lawmakers Grill Vaccine Factory Executives About Manufacturing Mistakes
House subcommittee members questioned why Emergent BioSoultions awarded bonuses to executives despite quality problems than hindered production of Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine.
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Politics
U.S. Backs Waiving International Patent Protections For COVID Vaccines
President Biden threw his support behind a World Trade Organization proposal that would waive intellectual property protections for COVID-19 vaccines — allowing countries to make their own vaccines.
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Health
Why There Will Be Fewer Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccines Next Week
A dip of 86% in doses to be distributed to states follows a surge that occurred after one of J&J's third party manufacturers was finally able to release a stockpile.
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Health
Operation Warp Speed's Slaoui Ousted From Medical Company Board Over Misconduct Claim
Moncef Slaoui, who helped lead Operation Warp Speed under the Trump administration, was removed from a medical device startup's board over allegations of sexual harassment.