Antivirals like nirmatrelvir and molnupiravi and the most recent COVID-19 vaccines both “significantly lowered the likelihood of hospitalization and death from currently circulating COVID-19 variants,” in the study that included 27,000 patients who tested positive for COVID-19, according to a March 6 news release.
The antivirals reduced the risk of severe infection by 42%.
Despite the protection offered by COVID-19 vaccines, few U.S. adults have taken advantage of them, with only 17% having received the latest round, according to CDC data.
Even still, on Feb. 28, CDC Director Mandy Cohen, MD, approved the vaccine advisory panel’s motion to move forward with recommending a spring booster for adults over 65 and at-risk individuals.
Dr. Cohen also said March 4 that an updated COVID-19 vaccination is expected in fall 2024 along with the next flu vaccine.
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