• The US FDA issues an EUA for the first rapid COVID-19 self-test from Lucira Health; it can provide results in 30 minutes. The test itself will be available by prescription and sold for up to $50. Sources 1,2
• Pfizer announces a four-state pilot delivery program for its experimental coronavirus vaccine in New Mexico, Rhode Island, Tennessee and Texas. The program aims to address the challenge posed by the vaccine’s requirement for ultra-cool storage (-70 degrees Celsius or -94°F, versus the standard two-to-eight degrees Celsius or 36-46°F) in diverse populations, rural and urban sites, and varying infrastructures. Source
• The European Medicines Agency (EMA) begins a rolling review of data on Moderna’s experimental coronavirus vaccine, mRNA-1273. Source
• Moderna announces an agreement to supply its experimental coronavirus vaccine to the UK in March 2021, if it is approved by the country’s regulatory authorities which have been conducting a rolling review since October 27. Source 1,2
• Although Pfizer announced in July 2020 that it was on-track to produce up to 100 million doses by the end of the year (which it agreed to sell to the US for $ 1.95 billion- in addition to advance agreements with Canada, Japan and the UK- among others) it has now said that it will only be able to produce 50 million doses in 2020, half of which will go to the US. Sources 1,2
• Coronavirus vaccine production may be slowed by disruptions in the global supply chain, shortages of glass vials, syringes and other essential products, delays in launch of, or interruptions in clinical trials, difficulties in scaling up production – particularly with new technologies – in addition to challenges with distribution, particularly in maintaining the cold chain. Source
• Despite safety measures (which did not include masks), an onboard coronavirus outbreak among seven passengers and two crew members on the Sea Dream 1 led the SeaDream Yacht Club to cancel its remaining cruises in 2020, as the company considers “…if it is possible to operate and have a high degree of certainty of not getting Covid.” Source
