New authorization, guidance on vaccines against SARS-CoV-2

A second COVID-19 vaccine got the nod from the government last week. The FDA Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee voted Dec. 17 that the benefits of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine developed by Moderna outweigh its risks in adults ages 18 years and older, leading it to receive an emergency use authorization (EUA) on Dec. 18.

In advance of the meeting, the FDA released the data it had on the vaccine, which is administered in two doses, one month apart. On Dec. 19, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) issued an interim recommendation for use of the vaccine, and that became an official CDC recommendation when it was published in MMWR on Dec. 20.

The ACIP also voted at that meeting on which populations should be the next priority groups for vaccination. They chose those ages 75 years and older, as well as frontline essential workers, including emergency responders, teachers, and grocery store employees, the Washington Post reported.

On Dec. 15, the CDC offered interim clinical considerations for use of the other COVID-19 vaccine that has received an EUA, from Pfizer-BioNTech, including recommendations on immunization of patients who are immunocompromised, who are pregnant, or who have a history of anaphylactic or allergic reactions. The FDA also recently posted an FAQ on the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which addresses both patient questions and topics for clinicians, such as the use of surplus vaccine in vials.

Physicians got advice on encouraging vaccination among their patients, when that becomes possible, during an online forum on Dec. 16. “ACP and Annals of Internal Medicine COVID-19 Vaccine Forum II, Promoting COVID-19 Vaccination: What Physicians Need to Know” brought four guest experts and two moderators together to provide insight and practical information about what physicians and other health care professionals can do to promote COVID-19 vaccination confidence and uptake. The full recording of the forum is available for replay online and is described in an accompanying article published by Annals of Internal Medicine.

The College is also asking clinicians to encourage vaccine uptake by sharing photos or posts on social media about getting vaccinated against COVID-19. Use the hashtags #IMVaccinated, #IGotTheShot, #COVIDVaccine, and #COVID19Vaccine. (While on social media, don't forget to follow ACP on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and tag @IMMattersACPs.) ACP strongly encourages physicians, other health care workers, and patients to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as they are able to. Additionally, updated information on vaccine planning for medical practices has been added to “COVID-19: An ACP Physician's Guide + Resources.”

ACP's Vice President of Membership and Global Engagement, Philip A. Masters, MD, FACP, addressed the role of physicians as truth-tellers about vaccines and other aspects of COVID-19 in his latest KevinMD column. Dr. Masters writes: “…the good news is that as the pandemic has evolved, there is evidence that physicians' faith remains very high across much of the population. And that this faith is based on trust—trust that doctors are acting in the best interests of those they serve, and most importantly, that they provide accurate information when making medical recommendations for both the health of individuals and the well-being of our communities and the country.”