Coronavirus vaccines, compared

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Phew, what a week it’s been! It’s Thursday, which means it’s time for another FDA advisory committee meeting, this time on Moderna’s vaccine. We’ll keep you posted on how the day unfolds.

An event to get on your calendar: On Friday at 1 p.m. ET I’ll be chatting with healthcare reporter Blake Dodge about the Amazon Care scoop that was in yesterday’s newsletter. We’ll dig into what’s next for Amazon in healthcare.

Have a burning question for her? Tune in and ask it! You can register for the event here. 

Today in healthcare news: coronavirus vaccines, compared, CVS Health is giving out a pandemic bonus, and the US is planning to ship 8 million vaccine doses next week.

Coronavirus vaccines compared: What to know about shots from Moderna and Pfizer, from safety to side effects

• Both Moderna and Pfizer have provided data to the FDA showing that their shots are safe and effective at preventing COVID-19 infections.
• But, the shots do have some subtle differences.
• Moderna's might better protect against severe cases, while Pfizer's seems to have milder side effects.

Read the full story from Hilary Brueck and Andrew Dunn here>>

CVS Health is giving $250 pandemic bonuses to nearly 200,000 of its workers

• CVS Health is planning to pay special $250 bonuses to almost 200,000 of its workers to reward them for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The bonuses are for part-time and full-time workers in a variety of roles, including retail, long-term care pharmacy, distribution, pharmacy benefit management, and other areas.
• This is the second time CVS has paid bonuses during the pandemic. CVS offered bonuses ranging from $100 to $500 in March.
• CVS played a big role in providing access to coronavirus testing, and will soon start giving COVID-19 shots to seniors in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities across the US.

Read the full story from Shelby Livingston here>>

The US plans to ship out nearly 8 million coronavirus vaccine doses next week, aiming to give shots to 20 million Americans before year's end

• The US is planning to ship nearly 8 million more doses of coronavirus vaccines next week, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said at a Wednesday press briefing.
• The federal government's Operation Warp Speed vaccine initiative is in charge of securing and shipping doses across the nation.
• Azar's estimate is based on another coronavirus vaccine developed by Moderna securing emergency authorization. 

Read the full story from Andrew Dunn here>>

More stories we're reading:

• Healthcare workers noticed there were extra vaccine doses in Pfizer's vials, upping our national supply (Politico)
• 9 things to say to a friend who's skeptical of getting the coronavirus vaccine (Business Insider)
• What it's like to be a wedding photographer in Texas during a pandemic (The first few lines of this story are something else) (Texas Monthly)
• New York Gov. Cuomo says the coronavirus vaccine will take 6 to 9 months to make a difference (Business Insider)

- Lydia