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Today's Rundown

Pfizer passes COVID-19 vaccine safety milestone, reveals 95% efficacy ahead of EUA
Despite impressive data, FDA's coronavirus vaccine reviews will take weeks, not days, official says
Azar expects 40M COVID-19 vaccine doses ready to distribute by end of December
AMA calls for increased COVID-19 prevention in correctional facilities, end to disinformation campaigns
Airlines rally cold-chain supplies to ship Pfizer, Moderna's frigid COVID-19 shots
FDA greenlights first all-in-one home COVID-19 test, with results in 30 minutes
China's Sinovac sees speedy immune response with COVID-19 shot in early trials
AstraZeneca taps CCT Research for COVID-19 vaccine tests
Biopharma roundup: Lucira's all-in-one home COVID-19 test wins OK; AstraZeneca taps CCT Research for trial recruitment
Healthcare roundup: BCBSA estimates 9M vaccine doses could be missed this year
Providence posts $214M loss during first 9 months of 2020 due to COVID-19 impact

Featured Story

Pfizer passes COVID-19 vaccine safety milestone, reveals 95% efficacy ahead of EUA

By Nick Paul Taylor

Pfizer is preparing to file its COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use authorization (EUA) after passing a key safety milestone. CEO Albert Bourla, Ph.D., said Pfizer now has the median two-month follow-up data needed to secure EUA from the FDA, putting it a step closer to bringing its vaccine to market in the U.S.

Despite impressive data, FDA's coronavirus vaccine reviews will take weeks, not days, official says

By Eric Sagonowsky

As leading COVID-19 vaccines post positive phase 3 data and near FDA submissions, the agency official in charge of reviewing vaccines is emphasizing transparency and patience during the high-stakes process. Americans should expect reviews to take weeks rather than days, according to Peter Marks, head of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.

Azar expects 40M COVID-19 vaccine doses ready to distribute by end of December

By Robert King

HHS Secretary Alex Azar expects 40 million doses of a COVID-19 vaccine will be ready by the end of the year as Pfizer and Moderna candidates near FDA approval.

AMA calls for increased COVID-19 prevention in correctional facilities, end to disinformation campaigns

By Tina Reed

The AMA's House of Delegates held a special meeting this week and voted to support of a handful of new policies, including supporting the compassionate release of some incarcerated individuals amid the pandemic and a measure to prevent bullying in healthcare. Here's what else they voted to support.

Airlines rally cold-chain supplies to ship Pfizer, Moderna's frigid COVID-19 shots

By Fraiser Kansteiner

With positive news on mRNA shots from Pfizer and Moderna tempered by concerns over cold-chain hurdles, airlines are rapidly working to ensure they have the frigid containers and shipping know-how in place to carry out the global rollout of a COVID-19 vaccine, Reuters reports. Meanwhile, container makers are doubling down on efforts to boost supplies, too.

FDA greenlights first all-in-one home COVID-19 test, with results in 30 minutes

By Conor Hale

The FDA has authorized its first all-in-one COVID-19 diagnostic that allows people to test themselves within their own home, from a swab to a result in about 30 minutes.

China's Sinovac sees speedy immune response with COVID-19 shot in early trials

By Ben Adams

A week after one of its tests in Brazil was stopped amid a safety scare, Chinese biotech Sinovac has published data showing its experimental COVID-19 vaccine can quickly boost an immune response.

AstraZeneca taps CCT Research for COVID-19 vaccine tests

By Ben Adams

U.K. Big Pharma AstraZeneca and academic partner the University of Oxford are tapping research services firm CCT Research for their COVID-19 shot tests in Arizona.

Biopharma roundup: Lucira's all-in-one home COVID-19 test wins OK; AstraZeneca taps CCT Research for trial recruitment

By Eric Sagonowsky,Angus Liu,Kyle Blankenship,Conor Hale,Fraiser Kansteiner

The FDA approved an all-in-one home COVID-19 test developed by Lucira Health. AstraZeneca tapped CCT Research to help recruit trial participants in Arizona. J&J is pledging $100 million to fight health inequities over the next five years. And Americans are feeling slightly more confident about a vaccine, a recent poll found.

Healthcare roundup: BCBSA estimates 9M vaccine doses could be missed this year

By Healthcare Staff

Follow along with the latest COVID-19 news straight from the Fierce Healthcare team.

Providence posts $214M loss during first 9 months of 2020 due to COVID-19 impact