COVID-19 Update | May 14, 2021

COVID-19 News

COVID-19 Update | May 14, 2021

May 14, 2021

The California Biotechnology Foundation is committed to keeping you up to date about COVID-19 testing, treatment and prevention advancements. The following resources track what progress has been made as of May 14, 2021. Notable advancements include:

  • The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that people fully vaccinated against COVID-19 do not need to wear masks or practice social distancing indoors or outdoors, except under certain circumstances.
  • Pfizer-BioNTech has received approval from the federal government for their COVID-19 vaccine to be available to adolescents aged 12-15 in the United States.
  • California-based company Cepheid has developed a test that can detect not only COVID-19, but two types of influenza and the respiratory syncytial virus.

​Recent News:

  • People vaccinated against COVID-19 can go without masks indoors and outdoors, CDC says
    CNN – May 13, 2021
    People fully vaccinated against COVID-19 do not need to wear masks or practice social distancing indoors or outdoors, except under certain circumstances, the director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced.
  • Where children 12 and up can get the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in California
    KCRA – May 13, 2021
    COVID-19 vaccine appointments are becoming available in California for children ages 12 to 15 after health officials endorsed the use of the Pfizer vaccine for this age range. Parents, legal guardians or emancipated young people can check vaccine availability and book an appointment at MyTurn.ca.gov or by calling California’s COVID-19 Hotline at 1-833-422-4255.
  • COVID-19 Vaccines Protect Pregnant Women, Another Study Suggests
    New York Times – May 13, 2021
    When the COVID-19 vaccines were first authorized in December, scientists knew little about how well they might work in pregnant women. Since then, scientists have accumulated a small but steadily growing body of evidence that the vaccines are safe and effective during pregnancy. Preliminary results from two continuing studies provide additional encouraging news.
  • Vaccines seem to work well against COVID-19 variants. It’s also complicated
    STAT – May 13, 2021
    Questions about how the continued emergence of variants — such as the one that’s popped up in India — will shape the COVID-19 pandemic into the future and potentially affect vaccine strategies.
  • D.C. Advisers Endorse Pfizer Vaccine for Children Ages 12 to 15
    New York Times – May 12, 2021
    The federal government took a final step toward making the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine available to adolescents in the United States, removing an obstacle to school reopenings and cheering millions of families weary of pandemic restrictions. An advisory committee to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention voted to recommend the vaccine for use in children ages 12 to 15.
  • Is It Covid or the Flu? New Combo Tests Can Find Out.
    New York Times – May 11, 2021
    A quad test made by the California-based company Cepheid, is now available at thousands of hospitals and clinics around the country, and could detect not only COVID-19, but two types of influenza and the respiratory syncytial virus, or R.S.V.
  • Eli Lilly signs deals to boost supply of COVID-19 treatment in India
    Reuters – May 10, 2021
    Eli Lilly and Co signed licensing agreements with three Indian generic drugmakers to expand the availability of its arthritis drug baricitinib in the country for treating COVID-19 patients. The agreements will bolster India’s arsenal of drugs to battle its second wave of the pandemic.
  • Pfizer, BioNTech are first to seek full FDA approval of a coronavirus vaccine
    BioPharma Dive – May 7, 2021
    Pfizer and BioNTech announced they’ve initiated plans to seek a standard U.S. approval for their COVID-19 vaccine, making the partners the first developers to try to transition from an emergency use authorization to full clearance from the Food and Drug Administration. The agency won’t set a decision deadline until all the documentation is in.

Rely on California Biotechnology Foundation to monitor breaking news and provide updates on the latest advancements in COVID-19 diagnostics, vaccines and treatments.

Stay informed on the latest news and trends on the economic and health benefits of this industry by visiting the new CABiotech.org

If you have any questions about informational briefings contact California Biotechnology Foundation Executive Director Patty Cooper at (916)764-2434 or [email protected].