Good Day BIO: Chiesi Group, Pfizer join White House Climate Pledge

Before the long weekend, we have a quick read about BIO members joining the White House’s Health Sector Climate Pledge and the FDA’s recommendation for fall booster shots. (434 words, 2 minutes, 10 seconds)

We’ll be taking a quick break on Monday, July 4. We will resume publication on Tuesday, July 5. Enjoy the holiday weekend!

Chiesi Group, Pfizer join White House Climate Pledge

The BIO members are among 61 companies that have committed to reduce the emissions of the health care sector.

The news: “61 of the largest U.S. hospital and health sector companies responded to the administration’s  Health Sector Climate Pledge, committing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 50% by 2030,” the White House announced yesterday.

Who: The participating companies include BIO members Chiesi Group and Pfizer, which said in a statement that it aims to achieve net zero by 2040.

Why: “The health care sector accounts for 8.5% of U.S. emissions, so these bold commitments advance President Biden’s goal to reduce nationwide greenhouse gas emissions 50-52% in 2030 and reach net-zero emissions in 2050,” said the White House.

Why it matters: The World Health Organization (WHO) in April called the climate crisis the “single biggest health threat facing humanity,” expected to account for 13 million deaths each year—and the health care sector is responsible for 4.4-4.6% of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions, found a 2020 study.

Listen: BIO President and CEO Dr. Michelle McMurry-Heath discussed this topic with NHS Chairman Lord David Prior and others—listen on the I am BIO Podcast.

FDA recommends including Omicron variants in fall booster

The expected announcement came after an advisory panel voted in favor of including new variants in the formulation. 

The announcement: FDA officially advises COVID vaccine manufacturers to “add an omicron BA.4/5 spike protein component to the current vaccine composition to create a two component (bivalent) booster vaccine, so that the modified vaccines can potentially be used starting in early to mid-fall 2022,” per yesterday’s announcement.

But the primary vaccination should remain the same for now, because “a primary series with the FDA-authorized and approved COVID-19 vaccines provides a base of protection against serious outcomes of COVID-19 caused by circulating strains of SARS-CoV-2.” 

Companies are already working on boosters targeting these variants—including Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax. Pfizer’s CEO stated on Sunday that the updated shots will be available for use as soon as they are authorized by the FDA. 

The context: The Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 are dominant in the U.S., accounting for 52% of cases and expected to rise, according to the New York Times.

President Biden’s Friday: Meeting with Governors to discuss access to reproductive health care, then heading to Camp David. Meanwhile, “The Supreme Court on Thursday limited the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to regulate carbon emissions from power plants,” reports The New York Times, voting 6-3 that “Congress had not clearly given the agency sweeping authority to regulate the energy industry” under the Clean Air Act. 

What’s Happening on Capitol Hill: Enjoy the long weekend.