Latest KFF Health News Stories
Rising Hospitalization Trends Worry CDC As Delta Surges In US
More unvaccinated Americans are falling sick — due in large part to the spread of the highly transmissible delta variant — with a 7% increase in daily hospitalization admissions since the July Fourth holiday weekend.
Covid Tightens Its Grip On Arkansas As Cases Spike Over 1,000 For Second Day
Only about 35% of the state’s population has been fully vaccinated. Parts of Utah, Louisiana, Wisconsin and California have all reported surges, as well.
Full Two-Dose Vaccine Regimen Offers Best Protection Against Delta Variant: Study
In a new study published in Nature, researchers find that a single shot of a two-dose vaccine “barely” offers any protection against the delta variant, but that people who are fully vaccinated show good results.
Missouri Governor Says No To Door-To-Door Vaccine Push
Meanwhile, Missouri asked for help from a federal “surge response team” last week, and some state hospitals are reportedly overwhelmed with covid cases. The pros and cons of the vaccine rollout, mandates and more are covered by other news outlets.
CDC, FDA Not Sold On Need For Covid Boosters ‘At This Time’
Even as vaccine makers lay the groundwork for future shots, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration said in a joint statement that based on the latest data, “Americans who have been fully vaccinated do not need a booster shot at this time.”
Pfizer To Ask FDA To OK Third Shot; Also Developing Delta Booster
With data out of Israel showing a decrease in efficacy of its two-jab covid vaccine regimen, Pfizer says it plans in the next few weeks to request emergency authorization from the Food and Drug Administration for a third dose. The drugmaker is also developing an updated version of the vaccine to target the delta variant.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers weigh in on covid, the delta variant and vaccines.
Editorial writers delve into these various public health issues.
Indonesian Sinovac Vaccine Trials Scientist Dies Of Suspected Covid
Novilia Sjafri Bachtiar was the lead scientist for trials of China’s covid vaccine, in a country where it has been widely used. Other reports note that the CoronaVac vaccine has proved inferior to Pfizer’s covid shot where both shots were used simultaneously.
Research Roundup: Covid; Obesity; Cancer; TB; Cyclospora; Chikungunya
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Tulane University School Of Medicine Put On Probation Amid Racism Claims
During probation, a school is at risk of losing its accreditation if it doesn’t fix the issues by the next review cycle, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, which issued the citation, has said previously. Aetna, Cleveland Clinic, UnitedHealth and more are also in the news.
More States Have Cleared The Way For Purdue Pharma’s Bankruptcy Plan
Fifteen states have dropped their objections to the OxyContin maker’s reorganization plan, moving the company closer to transforming itself into a new entity that helps combat the opioid epidemic through its own profits, AP reported.
To Avoid Pandemic Drug Shortages, The FDA Bent Its Own Rules, Priorities
A report in CIDRAP explains how the Food and Drug Administration tried to prevent drug shortages by “flexing” its rules and expedited new drug applications and supplements. Separately, reports note Pfizer’s heart meds are bringing in billions of dollars for the drugmaker.
Northwest Heat Wave Blamed On Climate Change
Reports say the recent record-breaking temperatures and hundreds of heat-related deaths in the northwest would be “virtually impossible” without human influence on climate. A separate study says climate change is linked to 5 million deaths yearly.
Gates Foundation’s Future Hammered Out, With Health Charity Work At Stake
As part of their divorce negotiations, Bill and Melinda French Gates agree to continue jointly running their foundation for the next two years. If that arrangement is unsuccessful, he can buy her out after that period.
Death Rates Dipping For Some Of The Most Common Cancers
A new report finds the biggest improvements among the rate of people dying from lung cancer and melanoma. But death rates against major cancers, like colorectal or breast, are either flat or higher.
Covid May Have Killed More Prisoners Than Officially Counted
The New York Times reports on questions over the death toll from the prison system since some prisoners were released before they died of covid. A report from here at KHN notes that while many inmates are vaccinated, their guards are likely not.
Lingering Covid Effects Show Up In Fitbit, Apple Watch Data
Data from wearable health tech devices seem to show that long-term effects from a covid infection include an elevated heart rate that persists for weeks or months. Other reports note that low testosterone in men is linked to a severe covid infection.
Texas Republicans Push Back At Biden’s Vaccine Push
Texas’ Attorney General Ken Paxton said “not on my watch!” in reaction to President Joe Biden’s plan to go door to door to promote covid shots. News outlets from different states investigate reasons for vaccine hesitancy, including politics and concerns of side effects.