Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Delivery Begins Of Regeneron's Antibody Treatment After FDA OK
The federal government will begin distributing doses of Regeneron's antibody drug treatment for COVID-19 on Tuesday, top health officials said.聽During a call with reporters, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar said the administration will distribute 30,000 doses of the drug, with more coming in the weeks ahead.聽The company expects to produce 300,000 doses by early January. (Weixel, 11/23)
Health experts do not know the long term effects of COVID-19, and former Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said he is concerned they could be serious. "I'm worried about it. I don't think we fully understand what these syndromes are," Gottlieb said during a discussion at the American Enterprise Institute. (Weixel, 11/23)
In other news from the Trump administration 鈥
Surgeon General Jerome Adams on Monday warned Americans to avoid indoor holiday celebrations with people they don't live with, including parties being planned by the White House. During an appearance on ABC's 鈥淕ood Morning America,鈥 Adams said events like the planned White House holiday parties are a cause for concern. (Weixel, 11/23)
The White House is going ahead with plans to hold holiday parties and receptions at the presidential mansion despite a surge in coronavirus cases and warnings from public health officials to avoid large in-person gatherings. Invitations for the indoor holiday events, which are scheduled to start next week, already have been sent out. An invitation to a Dec. 1 reception 鈥 a copy of which was obtained by USA TODAY 鈥 makes no mention of mandatory face masks or social distancing requirements. (Collins and Puente, 11/23)