Good Day BIO: Flu shots and future cures

As National Influenza Vaccination Week comes to a close, we look at why everyone needs a flu shot this year—and why policy might harm the next vaccine innovation. Plus, we have news from the Council of State Bioscience Associations (CSBA) and why state policy matters. (751 words, 3 minutes, 45 seconds)

Get your flu shot—and help save future cures

It’s critically important everyone get their flu shot this year—but what about the next year? While the government has been promoting flu vaccine awareness, policymakers have also been pushing drug pricing policy that would affect our ability to fight the next viral pandemic. 

A “twindemic” could be coming—simultaneous outbreaks of COVID-19 and influenza, the CDC warned in an emergency health advisory this week. Only 60% of Americans are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and 41% of adults have gotten their flu shot, “significantly lower than the same point last year,” reports Axios. 

There’s still time to get your flu shot—check out the CDC’s National Influenza Vaccination Week resources to learn why vaccination is critical and find a vaccine near you if you still need one. 

A little ironic—if it wasn’t so dangerous. While the CDC has, rightfully, been promoting vaccination awareness, Congress at the same time has been pushing drug price controls that would impact investment in R&D for future innovations—like new vaccines for influenza or other diseases. 

The data backs it up: “every 10% drop in the price of medicines in price-controlled EU markets was associated with a 14% decrease in total VC funding (10% early stage and 17% late stage), a 7% decrease in biotech patents, a 9% decrease in biotech start up funding relative to the US, and an 8% increase in the delay of access to medicines,” says a recent VitalTransformation study.

So, there are two things you should do:

1. Get your flu shot! (And tell your friends to get their vaccines, too.)
2. Tell your U.S. Senator why drug price controls will harm future cures—and maybe the next, much-needed vaccine.

More National Influenza Vaccination Week resources:

• National Association for Pediatric Nurse Practitioners discussion on updates in this year’s flu vaccine, how COVID may impact the season, and misconceptions about vaccination and symptoms
• National Association of School Nurses blog post on how we can keep flu out of schools
• National Psoriasis Foundation podcast on vaccination choices for patients living with psoriasis

More Health Care News:

FDA: FDA expands eligibility for Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster dose to 16- and 17-year-olds
“A single booster dose of the vaccine for those vaccinated at least six months prior will help provide continued protection against COVID-19 in this and older age groups,” said Dr. Peter Marks, Director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. 

New CSBA leadership will drive bioscience innovation in the states

State bioscience associations are critically important to addressing public health and climate challenges and growing the bioscience industry as a whole. The new Council of State Bioscience Associations (CSBA) leadership announced yesterday, it will help drive bioscience innovation nationwide. 

The news:CSBA announced the election of new Board leadership and members, including new Chair of the Board of Directors, Maria Thacker, President & CEO of Georgia Bio—see the full list. 

Throughout 2021, we also welcomed several new CEOs of CSBA associations, including:

• Elyse Blazevich, Colorado BioScience Association
• Joseph Boncore, MassBio
• James Chappell, SCBio
• Roberta Dressen, Medical Alley
• Laura Gunter, NCBio
• Rachel Lane, Bio Alabama
• Eddie Pauline, Bio Ohio

What we’re saying: “From the global threats of pandemics and climate change to the growing impact of bioscience on local jobs and economies, our industry faces many important challenges today. We look forward to continuing to work together across our new board leadership, members, and stakeholders to confront these threats and expand opportunities for innovation,” says Michele Oshman, Executive Director of CSBA and VP of External Affairs for BIO. 

The context: State legislatures can have an enormous impact on the industry’s ability to develop new cures and climate solutions. Read our recent report on several state elections this past November and what they mean for the bioscience industry as a whole. 

Learn more about CSBA.

More Agriculture and Environment News: 

Axios: Exploding demand for laboratory space
“A number of trends—in public health, American demographics and venture capital funding—are colliding to supercharge the life sciences industry. U.S. office vacancy rates are at 17%, but lab vacancy rates are at 5%, according to a new report from the commercial real estate firm CBRE.” 

Bloomberg Green: Agtech booms as investors target climate-friendly technology
“Startups working on agricultural biotech, which include plant breeding and GM crops received most of that funding in the third quarter, with $976 million.”

President Biden’s Friday: Attending the memorial service for the late Sen. Bob Dole before heading to Wilmington, DE, for the weekend. 

What’s Happening on Capitol Hill: House Democrats and Republicans are expected to release what POLITICO Pulse calls “competing” drug pricing reports today—we’ll keep an eye on it.