Latest KFF Health News Stories
Study Shows Covid Shots Are Safe — And Linked To Lower Death Rates
CNN reports on a surprising study showing lower death numbers for any cause in the months following taking a covid shot — proving the vaccines are safe, at least. But: correlation is not causation. Other reports say people who got a Johnson & Johnson single-dose jab months ago are in a “rush” for boosters.
Republicans Try New Tactics To Push Back Against Vaccine Mandates
Republican leaders in states like Florida and Texas are taking more steps to fight mandates from the federal government — and even those of other states.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Is Miscarriage A Criminal Offense Now?; The FDA Should Not Have Approved An E-Cigarette
Editorial writers tackle these public health subjects.
Different Takes: Examining Covid Long Haulers’ Plight; LA Needs To Stop Delaying Mandate Enforcement
Opinion writers examine these covid, vaccine and covid related topics.
Ahead Of Winter Olympics, Beijing Begins Rollout Of Booster Shots
China’s capital city is due to host the Winter Olympics in four months, and anyone who received two-dose Chinese vaccines and is “at risk,” which includes Games workers or participants, is eligible for a booster. Separately, a Chinese disinformation campaign blaming Maine lobsters for covid has been revealed.
Oklahoma Issues First Nonbinary Birth Certificate; Governor Issues Threat
Responding to the issuance, Gov. Kevin Stitt, a Republican, said “I believe people are created by God to be male or female. Period.” He added a threat to “take whatever action necessary” to protect his ideals. Meanwhile in Ohio, an anti-trans bill targeting medication for young people is launched.
Lyft’s First Safety Report Reveals 4,000 Sexual Assaults Over 3 Years
Lyft collected data on reports of sexual assaults in its ride share service from 2017 through 2019, and released a long-awaited report Thursday. The numbers represent less than 0.0002% of all the Lyft rides. Separately, worries emerge of potential overdose deaths during a Naxolone shortage.
CDC Says Vaccine Provider Mishandled Flu Shots, Causing 2018 Outbreaks
Health officials determined a three-state wide outbreak in 2018 was caused by third-party vaccine provider Location Vaccination mishandling flu shots and other common vaccines. In other news, reports say Johnson & Johnson had offered a $4 billion settlement over talc injury claims.
Medicare Advantage Plans May Be Exaggerating Sicknesses, CMS Worries
Jonathan Blum, principal deputy administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said CMS was very worried about “code growth” trends. Other reports say the HHS Office of Inspector General determined Tennessee has claimed $1.1 billion uncompensated care fees improperly.
115,000 Health Workers Died From Covid Over 18 Months, WHO Thinks
The World Health Organization estimate of 115,000 global health worker deaths covers the period from January 2020 to May 2021. News outlets cover other covid news, including the death of parents of five children, record hospitalizations in Alaska, high death rates in rural Georgia, and more.
Operators Worry Holiday Season Air Cargo Will Be Hit By Vax Mandates
A report in Politico says a trade group representing companies like UPS and FedEx is worried that President Joe Biden’s vaccine mandates will “wreak havoc” among workers at the busiest time of year. But airlines American and Southwest say the mandates likely won’t hit their flight plans in December.
Biden Tells Police Vaccine Holdouts: ‘Yes,’ You Should Be Fired
Speaking at a CNN town hall, President Joe Biden simply said he agreed first responders and police officers who refuse to get covid shots should be fired. Meanwhile, a Chicago police union leader likened the city’s vaccine mandate to the “Hunger Games.”
Texas Demands Supreme Court Leave Its Restrictive Abortion Law In Place
If the Supreme Court takes up the White House’s case, Texas said, then the justices should also reconsider Roe v. Wade.
President Biden’s Social Spending Bill Gets Slimmer And Slimmer
At a CNN town hall meeting Thursday, he said his proposal for more paid family/medical leave would be slashed from 12 weeks to 4 weeks and also acknowledged that expanding Medicare benefits to include hearing, dental and vision benefits would be a “reach.”
Third Dose Of Pfizer Vaccine Is 95.6% Effective, Large Study Shows
Researchers studied more than 10,000 people ages 16 and older who were fully vaccinated. Among the participants who received a third Pfizer dose, just five people developed symptomatic cases of covid-19. In comparison, 109 participants who received a placebo developed covid infections.
CDC: Americans Can Choose Any Booster They Want, Starting Today
All adults who received the Johnson & Johnson one-dose covid vaccine are recommended to get a second dose at least two months later. The CDC noted that regardless of which manufacturer you choose for a booster, it’s not required for a person to be considered fully immunized.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KHN finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on breast cancer, Graves’ disease, toxic oil syndrome, covid and more.
Research Roundup: All About Covid
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.