👎 Axios Vitals: Little prior infection protection

Plus: Walgreen's COVID bump | Friday, January 07, 2022

Open in app View in browser     Axios Vitals By Tina Reed ·Jan 07, 2022 Happy Friday, Vitals readers. Today's newsletter is 574 words, or a 2-minute read.     1 big thing: Prior infection protection falls short Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios   Prior coronavirus infections don't offer particularly strong protection against coming down with a symptomatic Omicron infection, Axios' Caitlin Owens writes from new study by Qatari researchers, which has not yet been peer-reviewed. Why it matters: If you're counting on your previous coronavirus infection to keep you from getting it again, don't. The big picture: Initial studies have found that coronavirus vaccines protect well against severe disease from Omicron, but, especially without a booster shot, don't hold up as well at preventing milder infections. This preliminary study suggests that immunity derived from a previous infection also doesn't offer very strong protection against catching Omicron — emphasizing the benefit of vaccines, even for people who have already had COVID. By the numbers: The study found that prior infections were 90% effective against symptomatic reinfections for the Alpha variant, 92% effective for the Delta variant and only 56% effective for Omicron. Effectiveness against hospitalization and death was 69% for Alpha, 100% for Delta and 88% for Omicron. The bottom line: Omicron's remarkable ability to evade immune protection — either from vaccines or infection — goes a long way toward explaining its explosive case growth. Share this story.     2. SCOTUS weighs fate of Biden's vaccine mandates Illustration: Shoshana Gordon/Axios   The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments this morning over two of the Biden administration's flagship COVID-19 vaccine mandate policies, Axios' Emily Peck writes. On the docket: An emergency vaccinate-or-test rule covering an estimated 80 million employees at large companies, issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The justices will also consider a vaccine mandate for health care workers at facilities that receive Medicare or Medicaid funds. Where it stands: Only about 18% of businesses require vaccinations, according to a November survey from Willis Towers Watson. Plenty of others are waiting on the court, said Jeff Levin-Sherz, a population health leader at Willis Towers Watson: 32% of companies said they'd only require vaccination if it was a federal rule. What's next: The court is expected to move relatively fast, possibly issuing a ruling by month's end. Meanwhile, OSHA has moved the deadline for its workplace mandate to February.     3. Walgreens profits lift from COVID tests, vaccines Walgreens administered 56 million COVID shots in 2021. Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images   Walgreens increased profit projections for the rest of its fiscal year due to surging demand for at-home COVID-19 tests, drive-thru tests and vaccinations, Axios' Bob Herman writes. The big picture: Pharmacy chains continue to reap massive financial gains from the pandemic, as they often serve as the first place people go when they need a COVID test or vaccine. By the numbers: In 2021, Walgreens employees administered 56 million COVID vaccines and conducted 23 million COVID tests. Sales in health and wellness products in the most recent quarter were up 25% year-over-year, stemming almost entirely from people buying rapid tests. Yes, but: All of this demand, as well as the highly transmissible Omicron variant, is crushing Walgreens' workforce.     A message from Axios Axios Pro: Deals is (almost) here     Axios Pro: Deals launches later this month. Why it matters: By dedicating more newsroom resources to cover a select few industries, Axios Pro will deliver deeper reporting and analysis you won't find anywhere else. It's by pros, for pros. Join the Axios Pro waitlist and get $100 off your subscription.     4. Catch up quick Will "forever boosting" beat the coronavirus? (New York Times) Worldwide dementia patients set to triple by 2050, study says (The Lancet) DNA tester 23andMe starts trial of first drug developed in-house. (Bloomberg) CMS proposes Part D price concessions be applied at point-of-sale. (Fierce Healthcare) Some health advisers to Biden's transition team call for a new COVID strategy in the U.S. (New York Times)     5. Dog of the week Zamboni. Photo: Cory Grevenitz   Meet Zamboni, a golden retriever puppy. (Look at that face!) Zamboni lives with Cory and Nicole Grevenitz in Newport, RI. But how did he get that name? Cory's love of the game of hockey and Zamboni's already never-ending desire to "help" clear the backyard of sticks and leaves, Grevenitz says.     A message from Axios Axios Pro: Deals is (almost) here     Axios Pro: Deals launches later this month. Why it matters: By dedicating more newsroom resources to cover a select few industries, Axios Pro will deliver deeper reporting and analysis you won't find anywhere else. It's by pros, for pros. Join the Axios Pro waitlist and get $100 off your subscription.   📫 Did someone forward this email to you? Here's how to subscribe. Like this email style and format? Bring the strength of Smart Brevity® to your team — more effective communications, powered by Axios HQ.   Axios thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. If you're interested in advertising, learn more here. Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content. 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