Top Stories for 12/10

In today's Top Stories: With a COVID-19 vaccine on the horizon, cybersecurity concerns have emerged; Despite this, the rollout is already underway in the U.K. Plus: Google launches a new app for clinical trial research.

Links to the stories:

Vaccine distribution pipeline faces serious cybersecurity risks

Thousands in the United Kingdom are the first to receive Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine

Google's new research app shows participants how their data is driving health insights

Transcript

A coronavirus vaccine is on the verge of being distributed in the U.S., but due in part to the heightened urgency around the process, this may leave the distribution pipeline open to cybersecurity risks. HealthcareITNews reports (https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/vaccine-distribution-pipeline-faces-serious-cybersecurity-risks)  that hackers have already begun targeting the vaccine’s cold chain -- the organizations involved in sub-zero storage and transport. Transport boxes have been outfitted with GPS trackers, which may be vulnerable, and once the vaccine is in the hands of distributors, there likely will be security issues with the devices that health systems will use to track who has received it. Experts, naturally, are urging caution. 

 Despite these concerns, however, rollout of the Pfizer vaccine in the United Kingdom is underway, with healthcare workers and the elderly becoming the first in the world to receive the shot. In Healthcare Finance News, (https://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/news/thousands-united-kingdom-are-first-receive-pfizer-covid-19-vaccine) we see that while most reactions to the vaccine have been mild, such as a sore arm at the infection site, two healthcare workers suffered adverse reactions, likely due to a history of significant allergic reactions; those with such histories are discouraged from taking Pfizer’s offering. The vaccine offers full protection against the virus after two doses, and is reportedly 95% effective. Both Pfizer and Moderna are ready to roll out their vaccines in the states, and in the coming days the FDA will review emergency use authorization for both.

Finally this week, Google Health has launched a new Android App that aims to improve clinical research participation by streamlining study recruitment for consumers and show them how their data is being deployed. According to MobiHealthNews, (https://www.mobihealthnews.com/news/googles-new-research-app-shows-participants-how-their-data-driving-health-insights) the core mission of the platform is to show users what their responses have contributed to ongoing research, and it has already been used in a Respiratory Health Study conducted in conjunction with Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. That study sought to better understand the transmission of respiratory pathogens such as COVID-19 or influenza.

 I’m Jeff Lagasse with Healthcare Finance News, and this has been Top Stories.