Latest KFF Health News Stories
Ending The Pandemic Through Vaccines May Need 90% To Get Shots
Fox News covers an interview with Dr. Eric Topol, founder of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, talking about the challenges of vaccinating against the virus in the era of delta covid. Booster shots have been given to 2 million people in the last week, according to the White House.
J&J To File This Week For Booster Shot Approval
Johnson & Johnson plans to apply early this week to the Food and Drug Administration for authorization to administer a second dose of its covid vaccine.
As Holiday Season Approaches, Will It Be Safe To Gather?
Dr. Anthony Fauci says it’s too soon to know what’s going to be advised for December: “We’ve just got to concentrate on continuing to get those numbers down and not try to jump ahead by weeks or months and say what we’re going to do at a particular time.” And before that, parents must decide how to approach Halloween.
More Than 700,000 Americans Have Died From Covid
News outlets cover the tragic figure, reached late Friday. AP notes the total is larger than the population of Boston and that the last 100,000 of the deaths occurred during a period when vaccines were freely available. ABC News reports the total also beats cancer death numbers.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Supreme Court Justice Kavanaugh Tests Positive For Covid
The Supreme Court says that Brett Kavanaugh — who is not experiencing symptoms and is fully vaccinated — was tested as part of its protocols. The court’s fall term is scheduled to start on Monday.
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 covid, abortion, dementia, chemotherapy, broken bones and more.
Perspectives: Covid-19 Rapid Tests Key To Resuming Normalcy; Analyzing Sham Covid Treatments
Opinion writers examine these covid and vaccine topics.
Viewpoints: Do Health Tracking Devices Help Or Harm?; Medication Abortion Lets Patients Self-Manage
Editorial pages tackle these public health issues.
Study Says Undercount Of Deaths From Police Violence Is ‘Vast’
A study published in the Lancet says official figures didn’t represent 55.5% of the true total deaths from police violence that occurred over four decades. Meanwhile, USA Today notes police kill more people in Oklahoma than any other state. News outlets report on other health and race issues.
#FreeBritney Not Just A Meme: Newsom Signs Conservator Reform Law
Politico reports on moves to help improve conservatorship laws which have led to “exploitation” of “many” Californians, including Britney Spears. Meanwhile, NBC News covers efforts to block “dozens” of bills targeting trans people that have been considered by Texas lawmakers.
Australia To Reopen Long-Closed Border, Approves China’s Covid Shot
News outlets note “Fortress Australia” is coming to an end in November as the nation reopens its mostly closed border to international travelers. Australia also approved China’s Sinovac covid shot. China, the E.U., flu vaccines, asthma drugmaker Vectura and more are also in the news.
The Cost Of People Who Went To The ER But Didn’t Need To? $47B Yearly
Modern Healthcare covers news about incorrect use of hospital emergency services and the huge costs incurred each year. Also in the news, a potential Kaiser Permanente strike; the struggle to train new nursing staff; medical AI company Dascena; ransomware attacks and more.
Closed Schools Drove Teen Vaping Down, But 2 Million Still Vaped In 2021
Pandemic-related school closures are reported to have led to a dramatic drop in teenagers using vape or e-cigarette products, but the CDC still needed to issue a warning after reports that 2 million teens have vaped in 2021. Seasonal affective disorder, food stamps, a sunscreen recall and more are also in the news.
Scientists Hope The Opioid Epidemic May Have A Vaccine-Based Solution
Meanwhile, during a two-month program, the Drug Enforcement Agency has seized enough fentanyl-related drugs to kill more than 700,000 people. Axios reports that the covid pandemic worsened the opioid problem in the U.S. Also, California tries a novel pay-to-avoid-drugs program.
Legal Entanglements Complicate School Masking, Vaccine Rules
Arkansas’ Supreme Court said the state wasn’t allowed to enforce a school mask mandate ban, but in New York City teachers have gone to the U.S. Supreme Court to block a vaccine mandate for staff. Meanwhile in Michigan, health departments rescinded school mask rules over budget cut threats.
By Mapping Proteins, Scientists Can Potentially See How Cancers Grow
Axios and other news outlets report on a new analysis that mapped 395 protein systems in 13 cancer types, focusing on data from studies on head and neck squamous cell cancers and breast cancers. The information could help them find new treatments.
Thanks To Lousy Data, True Picture Of Covid’s Toll In America Is Hard To See
How many people have been infected? No one knows for sure. How many breakthrough infections are there? The government tracks only some of them. Still, daily infections appear to be easing in some regions as the U.S. approaches 700,000 covid deaths.
Yes, Some Workers Are Griping — But Vax Mandates Appear To Be Working
In California, major hospital systems reported that the health care worker mandate had boosted their vaccination rates to 90% or higher. At Tyson Foods, their vaccinations have jumped from less than half its workforce on Aug. 3 to 91% compliance nearly two months later.
Gaps In Data May Impact Rollout Of Moderna, J&J Booster Shots
Axios reports on issues regulators are having with data on booster shots for Moderna’s and Johnson & Johnson’s covid shots, complicating the process of deciding who gets boosters. The Boston Globe reports that J&J vaccine recipients are feeling “left out” in the current booster rollout.