ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The recombinant protein-based vaccine, NVX-CoV2373, demonstrated 89.7% efficacy against COVID-19 in a phase 3, randomized, observer-blinded, placebo-controlled trial in the United Kingdom. The protocol was amended to include a blinded crossover; data to the end of the placebo-controlled phase are reported. METHODS: Adults aged 18-84 years received two doses of NVX-CoV2373 or placebo (1:1) and were monitored for virologically confirmed mild, moderate, or severe COVID-19 (onset from 7 days after second vaccination). Participants who seroconverted to immunoglobulin G (IgG) against the nucleocapsid protein and did not meet criteria for symptomatic COVID-19 were classified as having asymptomatic disease. Secondary outcomes included anti-spike (S) IgG responses, wild-type virus neutralization, and T-cell responses. RESULTS: Of 15185 participants, 13989 remained in the per-protocol efficacy population (6989 NVX-CoV2373, 7000 placebo). At a maximum of 7.5 months (median, 4.5 months) postvaccination, there were 24 cases of COVID-19 among NVX-CoV2373 recipients and 134 cases among placebo recipients, a vaccine efficacy of 82.7% (95% CI: 73.3-88.8). Vaccine efficacy was 100% (17.9-100.0) against severe disease and 76.3% (57.4-86.8) against asymptomatic disease. High anti-S and neutralization responses to vaccination were evident, together with S-protein-specific induction of interferon-γ secretion in peripheral blood T cells. Incidence of serious adverse events and adverse events of special interest were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: A two-dose regimen of NVX-CoV2373 conferred a high level of ongoing protection against asymptomatic, symptomatic, and severe COVID-19 through >6 months postvaccination. A gradual decrease of protection suggests that a booster dose may be indicated.
ABSTRACT
Employers should also be making efforts to find out about their employees' home workstations and ensure they complete a display screen equipment (DSE) assessment. [...]I would advise OH practitioners, if they're not already, to be recommending to employers that they organise regular meetings through conference calls and introduce internal messaging systems. "How to improve home workers' health and wellbeing", www.thehrdirector.com/features/employeebenefits-reward/improve-home-workershealth-wellbeing537/ *"Employers are overlooking chronic back pain at a £10.7bn cost to the economy", October 2018, businessadvice.co.uk, https:// businessadvice.co.uk/work-and-wellbeing/ chronic-back-pain-employees-productivity/
ABSTRACT
According to John Hopkins University, more than two million people globally have now recovered from coronavirus. [...]while our understanding of Covid-19 is still at a very early stage, it is increasingly clear that, for many, there may be "long tail" to recovery, sometimes lasting months. Some people may need physiotherapy to walk again. [...]to maximise recovery from Covid-19, we recommend working on arm and leg muscle strength-breathing exercises.