The Homeland Security Digital Library (HSDL) maintains a collection of the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), which collects and analyzes data from the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on epidemiology and public health. Each issue of the MMWR is packed with raw and analyzed public health data and scientific studies from some of the top minds in the United States. In light of the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) epidemic, we are highlighting some of the most current and informative COVID-related studies included in their weekly reports.
Here are some important articles you may have missed from Volume 70, Issues 39-45 of the Centers for Disease Control’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series.
November 12, 2021 / No. 45 Featured Article:
On October 29, 2021, the Food and Drug Administration approved the emergency use of the Pfizer COVID-19-BioNTech vaccination for the age group of 5-11 years old, at a modified dosage, and on November 2, 2021 the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices reviewed and made a recommendation to move forward with allowing modified doses for the age group. Read the full article for more details on the study done and reviewed by the two agencies that helped them conclude that the benefits from the vaccines outweighed the risks.
November 5, 2021 / No. 44 Featured Article:
This article provides statistical data on re-infected unvaccinated individuals versus vaccinated individuals who were hospitalized for COVID-19 symptoms. The study concluded that being vaccinated for COVID-19 creates a greater protection against the disease than does previous infection of COVID-19 without vaccination.
October 29, 2021 / No. 43 Featured Article:
Due to reports of deaths in the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) after individuals were vaccinated, this study was conducted to compare the rate of mortality amongst vaccinated versus unvaccinated individuals in cases of non-COVID-19 mortality. The study found no increased risk of death for vaccinated individuals. During the study time frame, unvaccinated individuals had a higher mortality rate for causes unrelated to COVID-19.
October 22, 2021 / No. 42 Featured Article:
In May of 2021, Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA Vaccination was given emergency use authorization for ages 12-18 years. This study was done to evaluate the effectiveness of the vaccination against hospitalization in this age group. It was determined that the vaccination did give a greater protection from COVID-19 hospitalization to individuals aged 12-18 years.
October 8, 2021 / No. 40 Featured Article:
This study evaluated 9 separate youth summer camps and the strategies implemented to avoid the spread of COVID-19. The study concluded that when preventative measures were taken, they were effective at keeping infection rates low.
October 1, 2021 / No. 39 Featured Article:
In this study, the CDC only included schools that had the same masking requirements to compare against schools that were not mandating masks. The study concluded that correct use of masks in schools does help mitigate spread of COVID-19.
For more information on COVID, visit our Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Resource Archive. You can also find pandemic-related resources in our HSDL In Focus on Pandemics and Epidemics, and public health statistical resources in our Research Tools. Please note that an HSDL login is required to view some of these resources.
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