• The US FDA issues an Emergency Use Authorization for Merck’s oral antiviral molnupiravir, which is used to treat COVID-19 in people ages 18 years and over who are vulnerable to severe COVID-19, when “treatment options authorized by the F.D.A. are not accessible or clinically appropriate.” The drug, which needs to be started within five days of symptom onset, may cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant individuals and is not recommended for use during pregnancy, and females of childbearing potential are advised to use a reliable method of birth control correctly and consistently during treatment with molnupiravir and for four days after the final dose; males of reproductive potential who are sexually active with females of childbearing potential are advised to use a reliable method of birth control correctly and consistently during treatment with molnupiravir and for at least three months after the final dose. Source
• The New York Times reports that there will be enough of Merck’s oral COVID-19 treatment, molnupiravir, for 3.1 million people by the end of January. In contrast, supplies of Pfizer’s more effective paxlovid are limited to 265,000 treatment courses by the end of January. Source
• WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warns that universal access to boosters in countries with high vaccination rates could prolong the pandemic, and worsen global vaccine inequality. Currently 73 percent of vaccines administered globally have gone to high- and upper-middle income countries, versus 0.9 percent to low-income countries. Noting that this imbalance will give “the virus more opportunity to spread and mutate,” Dr. Ghebreyesus added, “It’s important to remember that the vast majority of hospitalizations and deaths are in unvaccinated people, not unboosted people. No country can boost its way out of the pandemic.” Source
• South Korea reports its highest-ever daily COVID-19 death toll of 109, as it surpasses 5,000 total deaths. Source
• The New York Times reports a global total of 3,800 flight cancellations on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, mainly due to Omicron exposures and illness among staff and poor weather. Source
• AstraZeneca issues a press release to announce that a booster dose of its coronavirus vaccine significantly increased antibodies against Omicron in a new laboratory study. Source