Latest KFF Health News Stories
Vaccine Incentives Hit New High With $5 Million New Mexico Prize
Kroger is also giving away a $1 million covid vaccine prize, and Krispy Kreme says it’s given out over 1.5 million incentivizing doughnuts. Separately, Alaska’s airport vaccine program begins and New York’s “Excelsior Pass” vaccine passport rolls out.
Covid Still Impacting Nursing Homes
AP covers ongoing outbreaks and deaths in nursing homes despite vaccines. Meanwhile, worries of an ongoing “grief pandemic” after covid grow. Disney cruises, Colorado churches, Kentucky’s senior centers and California mask rules are also in the news.
Moderna Asks For Full FDA Authorization Of Covid Vaccine
Both Moderna and Pfizer have now applied to the Food and Drug Administration to move beyond the emergency use authorization that their respective vaccines are currently administered under. Full approval would allow the companies to market directly to consumers and make it easier for schools and employers to mandate covid shots.
A Shot Of Pfizer And A J&J Booster? US To Study Mixing Vaccines
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases is launching an early-stage trial to research whether people can be effectively and safely given a booster shot different from their original covid-19 vaccine.
Fauci’s Released Emails Open Window Into Early Days Of Pandemic
Through the Freedom of Information Act, The Washington Post and BuzzFeed obtained and made public Dr. Anthony Fauci’s email correspondence for the first six months of 2020. Media outlets are poring through the thousands of pages to offer up highlights.
Tulsa Race Massacre Anniversary Shines Light On Entrenched Health Divide
The Wall Street Journal reports on data that show more deaths from heart and lung disease, diabetes and cancer as well as lower life expectancies for Black people living in North Tulsa, the neighborhood attacked and burnt down in 1921 by a white mob. President Joe Biden spoke at the site to commemorate the anniversary and pledge efforts to address the health and wealth gaps with deep roots on that day.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Perspectives: Organ Transplant Complicates Vaccine Efficacy; Herd Immunity Is Not The Solution
Opinion writers tackle these covid and vaccine issues.
Peru’s Covid Death Toll Is Three Times The Official Count
In other news, Malaysia is rationing care as it battles a surge of covid hospitalizations, Venezuela’s vaccine program begins, Australia maintains a ban on most international travel and more.
Editorial writers delve into these public health issues.
1.1 Billion People Smoked In 2019; Nearly 8M Died Of Related Causes
Researchers say the record figure is partly driven by the growing worldwide population and partly due to weak progress on slowing tobacco use. Toxic shellfish, benzene in sunscreen, tick bites and heat deaths from climate change are among other news.
Georgia Bans Most School Mask Mandates; Utah Sees Spiking STD Rates
Meanwhile, Mississippi’s mental health services are in the news, Florida’s Supreme Court tackles lawsuits against cigarette makers, pesticide contamination worries hit a Massachusetts town and more.
China Reports Covid Detected Again
Part of a major Chinese city locks down because covid flares up and a bird flu hits a Chinese man. Also, several reports on China’s new three-child policy.
New Sequencing Of Human Genome Completed
Scientists say a new sequencing of the entire human genome includes parts missed the first time. Other science news is on the brain and on cannabis.
New Drug For Lung Cancer Approved
Get news on Amgen’s Lumakras, a diabetes vaccine and aducanumab. Also, the European Union will soon decide whether to allow AstraZeneca’s acquisition of Alexion.
Biden Moves Slowly On Canadian Drug Importation
The administration won’t oppose prescription drug imports from Canada, but it has no plan on how to allow it. Also, President Joe Biden’s budget proposes lifting the ban on paying for abortions. It also includes a major budget increase for the Department of Health and Human Services.
Texas Legislature Passes Bill That Extends Postpartum Medicaid Coverage
Other state Medicaid news comes out of Missouri, South Dakota and Oklahoma. Meanwhile, Politico reports that Democrats are pushing a new federal program that would extend coverage to those in holdout red states.
Covid Is Causing Health Care Workers To Quit
Separately, a shortage in nurses in Louisiana has prompted one university to offer a tuition-free nursing program. Other reports cover providers’ primary care challenges, fewer routine pediatric cases, poor pay for home care workers and more.
Company Covid Vaccine Mandates OK’d At Federal Level
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission stated that U.S. companies can mandate covid vaccines for employees and incentivize the vaccinations too. Separate reports note Houston Methodist Hospital employees are suing over compulsory vaccines.
Consent Laws Could Prevent Covid Vaccines For Some Kids
Also, the CDC announces guidelines for children at summer camps and a roundup of how various states are doing on getting vaccines to its citizens.