What We're Reading: GSK Close to RSV Vaccine; Health Care CEOs Back Gun Legislation; COVID-19 and Infant Development

GSK Close to Vaccine Approval

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) hopes to have their vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) reviewed later this year after early data showed that the vaccine was effective in older adults, according to Reuters. RSV has been identified as a leading cause of pneumonia in toddlers and older adults but the complexity of the virus hindered further research into a vaccine for many years. GSK is one of several companies looking into a vaccine; Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Sanofi, and Moderna have been testing therapies or vaccines for RSV as well. GSK’s vaccine for RSV is the first to have demonstrated statistically significant efficacy in adults aged 60 years and older, according to the company.

Northwell, Kaiser Permanente Among CEOs Supporting Gun Legislation

CEOs from Northwell Health, Kaiser Permanente, CentraState Healthcare System, and Headspace Health are among more than 200 companies asking the Senate to take action on gun legislation after the most recent spate of mass shootings. The letter called on the Senate to take action as “the gun violence epidemic represents a public health crisis that continues to devastate communities.”

Infants Have Nearly Double the Risk of Developmental Delays When Mother Had COVID-19

Infants whose mothers had COVID-19 during their pregnancy had nearly twice the risk of being diagnosed with delayed speech or motor skills by their first birthday, according to a study in JAMA Network Open. The overall risk of developmental delays was low but had risen to 6% in infants who were exposed to COVID-19 in the womb compared with unexposed infants whose risk was about 3%. These lags were in areas including rolling over, reaching for objects, and babbling. The study did not assess the impact of vaccination because the study took place between March and September of 2020, before vaccinations became widely available.