Three things for October 26
1. Moderna announces positive COVID-19 vaccine results in children ages six to 11
On Monday, Oct. 25, Moderna announced its vaccine showed positive results in kids ages six to 11.
The results come from a trial where two doses, each half the size of a dose given to adults, were administered a month apart, AP News reports. The study shows the doses proved to be successful in creating antibodies against COVID-19.
“We are encouraged by the immunogenicity and safety profile of mRNA-1273 in children aged 6 to under 12 years and are pleased that the study met its primary immunogenicity endpoints,” said Stéphane Bancel, Moderna’s chief executive officer in the company’s statement. “We look forward to filing with regulators globally and remain committed to doing our part to help end the COVID-19 pandemic with a vaccine for adults and children of all ages.”
Additionally, the company said it will send the results to the Food and Drug Administration, European Medicines Agency and others at a future date.
Meanwhile, on Monday, Oct. 25, the Biden administration announced it would take steps to increase availability for at-home COVID tests and decrease costs.
The FDA authorized Celltrion Diatrust’s at-home COVID test on Monday, which makes the current number of at-home tests available to the public 10, NBC News reports.
Additionally, the National Institutes of Health will spend $70 million to help producers of at-home tests get through the FDA’s system of regulation. The funding for this comes from the American Rescue Plan passed by President Joe Biden in March 2021, NBC News reports.
“Working hand-in-hand with FDA, NIH will produce the precise data needed to make authorization decisions quickly,” said NIH Director Francis S. Collins in a statement.
2. Blue Origin and Sierra Space announce commercial space station in development
On Monday, Oct. 25, Blue Origin and Sierra Space announced the development of a commercial space station known as Orbital Reef.
The station is projected to start running before the end of the decade, and Blue Origin describes the purpose of Orbital Reef as a “mixed-use business park in space.”
“As the premier commercial destination in low Earth orbit, Orbital Reef will provide the essential infrastructure needed to scale economic activity and open new markets in space,” the company said on their website. “Reusable space transportation and smart design, accompanied by advanced automation and logistics, will minimize cost and complexity for both traditional space operators and new arrivals, allowing the widest range of users to pursue their goals.”
Other partners on the project include Arizona State University, Boeing, Genesis Engineering Solutions and Redwire Space.
3. State of emergency issued in New Jersey and New York in preparation for nor’easter
This week the East Coast anticipates a nor’easter, and the governors of New Jersey and New York have issued a state of emergency in advance of the storm system. A nor’easter is a low-pressure system that forms a storm and travels along the eastern coast of the U.S.
“I am proactively declaring a State of Emergency to ensure we can provide the necessary resources to respond to this storm and protect lives and property in regions where the forecast is calling for significant rainfall,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a news release. “I am encouraging New Yorkers to prepare now for inclement weather expected over the coming days and urging commuters to take precaution ahead of heavy rainfall expected tomorrow morning.”
The state of emergency in New York includes more than 20 counties. New Jersey’s state of emergency began at 8 p.m. Monday night.
“Severe weather conditions will impact the state starting tonight through the next several days,” said New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy.
