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Hot Topics of the Day|PHGKB
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03/18/2021

Hot Topics of the Day are picked by experts to capture the latest information and publications on public health genomics and precision health for various diseases and health topics. Sources include published scientific literature, reviews, blogs and popular press articles.

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COVID-19 Vaccines vs Variants—Determining How Much Immunity Is Enough
R Rubin, JAMA, March 17, 2021

Whether COVID-19 will join influenza as an infectious disease for which annual vaccination is required isn’t yet known. Although they’re both RNA viruses, the backdrop is so different. We are in a pandemic. We didn’t have a vaccine. This [mRNA vaccine] is new technology. Short of developing a universal vaccine that protects against most SARS-CoV-2 variants, we need to be prepared to make alterations in the existing vaccines to deal with variants that emerge.

Variant Proportions in the U.S.
CDC, March 17, 2021 Brand

To accelerate sequencing in the United States, CDC has contracted with commercial diagnostic laboratories, and, in partnership with the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL), has implemented the National SARS-CoV-2 Strain Surveillance (NS3) program to provide a comprehensive and population-based US surveillance system.

County-Level COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage and Social Vulnerability — United States, December 14, 2020–March 1, 2021
MM Hughes et al, MMWR, March 17, 2021

In the first 2.5 months of the U.S. vaccination program, high social vulnerability counties had lower COVID-19 vaccination coverage than did low social vulnerability counties. Although vaccination coverage estimates by county-level social vulnerability varied widely among states, disparities in vaccination coverage were observed in the majority of states.


Disclaimer: Articles listed in Hot Topics of the Day are selected by Public Health Genomics Branch to provide current awareness of the scientific literature and news. Inclusion in the update does not necessarily represent the views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention nor does it imply endorsement of the article's methods or findings. CDC and DHHS assume no responsibility for the factual accuracy of the items presented. The selection, omission, or content of items does not imply any endorsement or other position taken by CDC or DHHS. Opinion, findings and conclusions expressed by the original authors of items included in the Clips, or persons quoted therein, are strictly their own and are in no way meant to represent the opinion or views of CDC or DHHS. References to publications, news sources, and non-CDC Websites are provided solely for informational purposes and do not imply endorsement by CDC or DHHS.
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