Top in ID: Long COVID risk factors, new trial for omicron-specific vaccine

A new study identified four factors that may heighten the risk for long COVID, a condition estimated to affect 31% to 69% of patients with COVID-19. It was the top story in infectious disease last week.

Another top story was about a new clinical trial recently launched by Pfizer and BioNTech that will test a vaccine that targets the omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, which now accounts for almost all U.S. cases.

Read these and more top stories in infectious disease below:

Researchers identify four factors that may anticipate long COVID

Researchers identified four factors that may anticipate if a patient will develop long COVID. Read more.

Pfizer, BioNTech launch trial of omicron-specific COVID-19 vaccine

Pfizer and BioNTech said that they have initiated a clinical study to assess the safety and efficacy of a COVID-19 vaccine for adults aged 18 to 55 years that specifically targets the omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2. Read more.

Results of NIH mix-and-match COVID-19 booster trial published

The New England Journal of Medicine published data from the ongoing NIH-sponsored trial that led the FDA last fall to authorize the mix-and-match strategy for COVID-19 vaccine boosters. Read more.

Monoclonal antibodies ineffective for omicron no longer authorized in US

The FDA halted the use of two monoclonal antibody treatments for COVID-19 because they are not effective against the omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, which now accounts for almost all U.S. cases. Read more.

Moderna announces phase 2 study of omicron-specific booster

Moderna announced the start of a phase 2 study of an omicron-specific COVID-19 booster shot. Read more.