This week, surging caseloads are linked to nearly one quarter of US COVID-19 deaths; booster doses may not be necessary for the Pfizer vaccine; the FDA calls for an investigation into the recent Alzheimer’s drug approval; cancer death rates continue to decline; and frailty is tied to longer mechanical ventilation.

Read the full coverage here:

23% of COVID-19 deaths at US hospitals linked to surging caseloads

CDC, FDA say booster doses not needed as Pfizer eyes authorization

FDA calls for a federal investigation into Aduhelm approval

Declines in cancer death rates continue, but not for all common types

Frailty tied to longer mechanical ventilation, identifies those less likely to be liberated

References:

BioNTech. Pfizer and BioNTech provide update on booster program in light of the delta-variant. https://investors.biontech.de/news-releases/news-release-details/pfizer-and-biontech-provide-update-booster-program-light-delta. Accessed on July 9, 2021.

HHS. Joint CDC and FDA statement on vaccine boosters. https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2021/07/08/joint-cdc-and-fda-statement-vaccine-boosters.html. Accessed on July 9, 2021.

Islami F, et al. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2021;doi:10.1093/jnci/djab131.

Kadri SS, et al. Ann Intern Med. 2021;doi:10.7326/M21-1213.

Okahara S, et al. Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2021;doi:10.1513/AnnalsATS.202102-178OC.

STAT. FDA calls for federal investigation into its controversial Alzheimer’s drug approval. Available at: https://www.statnews.com/2021/07/09/fda-investigation-alzheimers-drug-approval/?utm_source=STAT+Newsletters&utm_campaign=972fd2c048-breaking_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_8cab1d7961-972fd2c048-151965521. Accessed July 9, 2021.