LAURA H. CYPHERS

This study assesses antispike (anti-S) IgG antibody titers before and after a third BNT162b2 dose (booster) in individuals aged 60 years and older in Israel.
Source: JAMA Online First

This Viewpoint discusses the Food and Drug Administration granting Emergency Use Authorization of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine BNT162b2 for children aged 5 to 11 years and the role that will play in keeping children, schools, and communities safe.
Source: JAMA Online First

The current surge in infections with the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant has made it clear to health care workers and the public alike that fully vaccinated people remain at risk for SARS-CoV-2 infections. It is also apparent that breakthrough infections in fully vaccinated people can sometimes be serious. As of October 21, 2021, for example, 35% of the 519 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Massachusetts had been fully vaccinated. Furthermore, multiple reports have documented that if fully vaccinated individuals do become infected, their viral loads may be as high as the levels seen in unvaccinated individuals. In July 2021, these observations led the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to modify its guidance for fully vaccinated people, advising that those in communities with substantial or high SARS-CoV-2 transmission rates should wear masks indoors regardless of their vaccination status. A wealth of new data has since emerged that is helping to deepen understanding of the frequency, severity, and importance of breakthrough infections in fully vaccinated individuals.
Source: JAMA Online First

This Viewpoint cites the data collaboration during the COVID-19 pandemic as an example of unprecedented vaccine results and points to the NIH’s Policy for Data Management and Sharing to foster shared data as a routine part of grant applications.
Source: JAMA Online First

This case-control study explores the association between vaccination with mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and hospitalization for COVID-19, and, among patients hospitalized with COVID-19, the association with progression to critical disease in adults from 18 US states.
Source: JAMA Online First

This Medical News article describes trials that are examining whether medicinal mushrooms and Chinese herbs can improve treatment and vaccine responses against COVID-19.
Source: JAMA Online First

This Viewpoint proposes a risk-based approach toward contraception use in clinical trials of investigational products, which could improve access and inclusivity for individuals with pregnancy potential who are at risk for the outcomes of interest.
Source: JAMA Online First

This study examines antibody durability in individuals who received an mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection vs those without infection.
Source: JAMA Online First

This cohort study assesses protection from SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection after mRNA vaccination among persons with vs without prior SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Source: JAMA Online First

This Viewpoint discusses the growing role of medical students in shaping their own education and outlines the measures needed to ensure that medical student–directed learning remains aligned with the educational aims of the medical discipline.
Source: JAMA Online First