Moderna appears likely to get a thumbs up for its vaccine from the FDA advisory committee on Dec. 17. Other drug makers hope to get the same authorization for additional vaccines in the coming months, including a collaboration between Johnson & Johnson and BIDMC, led by Dan Barouch, MD, PhD (Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, BIDMC).

FDA authorizes emergency use of first US vaccine for COVID-19

Dan Barouch, MD, PhD (Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, BIDMC) speaks with KNX In Depth’s (podcast) hosts Mike Simpson and Charles Feldman about a COVID-19 vaccine. Editor’s note: Interview begins around 24:09.

KNX In Depth: China recovers from COVID so why can't the U.S.?--California hospitals in danger of reaching critical capacity levels--Can your boss force you to get a COVID vaccine?

Could a blood test show if a COVID-19 vaccine works?

A new monkey study offers a ray of hope for...

Dan Barouch named in Bloomberg 50: The People who Changed Global Business in 2020.

The Scientists Leading the Coronavirus Vaccine Race

Marsha Maurer, DPN, RN (CNO, BIDMC) discussed steps BIDMC is taking to keep staff safe during the pandemic.

As the pandemic intensifies and fatigue grows, officials are enforcing new protocols for staff.

This week, the Department of Public Health released their weekly dashboard which classified 97 Massachusetts towns and cities as “red zones.” That number is about eight times higher compared to just one month ago. Michael Gibson, MD (Interventional Cardiology, BIDMC) explained, “when one person gets it, they give it to two, then they give it to four, we are seeing the exponential growth when people run into each other, some of whom are a symptomatic carriers.” Gibson also notes that social economics is a factor in the rise of COVID-19 cases.

Why, week after week, do certain communities remain at high-risk for COVID-19?

Using a massive database of genetic information, researchers at BIDMC identified a genetic variant that the scientists think influences how the immune system responds to COVID-19. To do this research, Robert E. Gerszten, MD (Cardiovascular Medicine, BIDMC), and his coauthors relied on research from earlier in the year that identified a specific genetic variation in the area of the genome that codes for blood type.

We’re just beginning to understand how our genes and COVID-19 mix

Kevin Tabb, MD (CEO, BILH) discusses the COVID-19 vaccine, and notes that the first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines will likely arrive in Massachusetts in the next ten days. Editor’s note: Interview begins around 1:15.

'Bloomberg Surveillance' Full Show (12/2/2020)

When asked if there can be more than one COVID-19 vaccine, Dan Barouch, MD, PhD (Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, BIDMC) says we need multiple vaccines to be successful.

So When Exactly Will a COVID Vaccine Be Ready?