OMICRON DOES NOT EVADE T CELLS
Omicron’s mutations help it escape from antibodies, but T cells are highly effective at recognizing and attacking the Omicron variant. Despite Omicron’s extensive mutations and reduced susceptibility to neutralizing antibodies, the majority of T cell response, induced by vaccination or natural infection, cross-recognizes the variant.
Full Access:Â Medscape
THE FDA AUTHORIZES A PFIZER BOOSTER SHOT FOR CHILDREN AGES 12 TO 15
The Food and Drug Administration has authorized the use of a Pfizer-BioNTech booster in adolescents 12-15 years old. The agency on Monday also shortened the time between the completion of primary vaccination of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and a booster dose to five months from six.
Full Access:Â NPR
NURSES TAKE TO TWITTER TO OPPOSE LOWERED ISOLATION TIME POST-COVID
Some nurses are opposing the federal agency’s new guidelines for isolation after a positive COVID test. Among posts on the social media platform in recent days were the Minnesota and New York nurses’ associations and National Nurses United.  While the CDC claims the change is motivated by science, nurses emphasize that the weakened isolation guidelines are motivated by the employers wanting workers back on the clock fast.
Full Access:Â Medscape
ASTHMA GUIDELINE UPDATE
In December 2020, the U.S. National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) released its first guideline update since 2007, introducing as-needed use of inhaled steroids (ICS) for some patients. Using as-needed ICS/SABA for mild asthma and using an ICS/bronchodilator combination for both maintenance and as-needed rescue therapy for moderate-to-severe asthma can limit exacerbations by treating inflammation early. Full Access:Â NEJM
