• The U.S. has joined a list of about 30 other countries where circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) has been found, the CDC announced yesterday. Polioviruses found in New York, both from the case of paralytic polio in an unvaccinated adult in Rockland County and in several wastewater samples from communities near the patient’s residence, meet the WHO’s criteria for cVDPV. Viral genetic sequences collected in New York have been linked to wastewater samples in Jerusalem, Israel, and London, indicating community transmission. cVDPV occurs when local immunity to poliovirus is low enough to allow prolonged transmission of the original weakened virus in the oral polio vaccine. As the virus circulates and more genetic changes occur, it can regain its ability to infect the central nervous system and cause paralysis. cVDPVs are not caused by a child receiving the polio vaccine. Oral polio vaccine has not been used or licensed in the U.S. since 2000 but continues to be used in some countries.
• Vaccination providers and Novavax must report myocarditis and pericarditis occurring in patients who have received the Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted, through the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), FDA said this week. In a reissued letter of authorization for this product, FDA clarifies that myocarditis or pericarditis following vaccine administration meets the definition of serious adverse events that must be reported to VAERS. The Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers Administering Vaccine (Vaccination Providers) has also been updated to reflect this revision to the conditions of authorization regarding VAERS reporting requirements. The letter of authorization and revised fact sheet are available on the FDA’s website.
