Latest KFF Health News Stories
Cuatro respuestas sobre el freno a la vacuna contra covid de Johnson & Johnson
Expertos en salud se preguntan si el freno a la vacuna de J&J a causa de seis casos de mujeres que desarrollaron coágulos luego de recibirla puede impactar negativamente en los esfuerzos de inmunización.
Viewpoints: Cave Syndrome Caused By Pandemic Isolation; Deaf Communities Experience Vaccine Hurdles
Opinion writers tackle these Covid and vaccine issues.
Editorial pages address these various public health issues.
With Drug-Pricing Proposals, PhRMA Aims To Show It Can Compromise
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Perspectives: Drug-Pricing Reform May Come At The Expense Of Your Health
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Covid Variants Ravage Canada and Latin America
For the first time, Canada has more daily covid cases, as a percentage of its population, than the United States. Hospitals are stressed as more patients arrive.
J&J, AstraZeneca Face Headwinds In Europe
Johnson & Johnson will delay its European vaccine rollout, Denmark says it found a link between AstraZeneca’s vaccine and rare blood clots and the EU Commission intends to end contracts for both companies’ vaccines.
Ohio Abortion Law Upheld By Appellate Court
A federal appeals court ruling backing an Ohio law that prohibits abortions because of fetal Down syndrome also challenges Supreme Court decisions. In other non-covid news from around the country, more syphilis in California, more overdoses in Maryland and more groundwater contamination elsewhere.
Montana’s Governor Bans Vaccine Passports
In other covid news across the states, Baltimore’s vaccination efforts are reaching more vulnerable residents, a report highlights how having covid relates to getting medical parole and young Minnesota wrestlers catch covid at a South Dakota event.
Medicaid Expansion To Undocumented Immigrants Pondered
Connecticut legislators consider extending Medicaid coverage to undocumented immigrants in that state while in Virginia, legal immigrants get coverage. Also, Arkansas’ Medicaid expansion is in jeopardy while a ballot initiative is launched in Mississippi.
Study: Activity Reduces Risk Of Severe Covid
Other research results are reported on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) treatment for covid, the covid-related inflammatory syndrome that affects some children and Zoom burnout.
Court Rules ‘Pay-To-Delay’ Deal Anti-Competitive
A federal appeals court agrees with the Federal Trade Commission that a 2010 deal between Endo International and Impax Laboratories to delay a generic version of Endo’s painkiller for three years in exchange for $112 million was anti-competitive. And drug makers try to prepare for the next viral pandemic.
Jon Stewart Speaks Out On Burn Pit Legislation
The outspoken comedian and director says the Department of Veteran Affairs is obstructing care for those affected by burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan. Another star, Mark Ruffalo, joins efforts for legislation on toxic chemicals. And the House moves to avert Medicare sequestration cuts.
Worries About Broader Vaccine Rollouts And Racial Inequality
Vaccine hesitancy among Black and Hispanic Americans is highlighted in reports from Roll Call and Bloomberg. Home health workers, Stateline notes, are lagging behind other health care workers’ vaccination rates.
White House Marks Black Maternal Health Week For First Time
Black women are 2.5 times more likely to die during pregnancy than white women, in what Vice President Kamala Harris called a “maternal health crisis” during a roundtable event. Separately, reports note the pandemic effect on fostering babies and innovations in pregnancy tests.
Moderna Vaccine Gives 90% Protection Against Covid For 6 Months
Clinical trial data also says that Moderna’s vaccine is 95% effective at stopping severe disease for half a year after full vaccination. The company highlights its vaccine has no links to blood clots. Meanwhile, Pfizer is upping production of its version.
Vaccine Record Keeping Is A Confusing Patchwork
Since the federal government doesn’t maintain a national database of vaccinations, people face confusing methods of record keeping. The upshot: It’s on you. Meanwhile, tech companies work on digital health passes–not passports, mind you–for vaccine verification.
Vaccine Rollout Disrupted With States Left Scrambling From J&J Curveball
State after state has announced it’s following FDA guidelines to pause Johnson & Johnson covid vaccinations, leading to cancelled appointments and a rush to reorganize efforts around alternative vaccines.
What You Need To Know About Blood Clots, Reasons Behind Halt
For people who recently got the Johnson & Johnson shot, news outlets report on the extremely rare symptoms to look out for, as well as the science behind blood clots. Longer-term, the suspension could have a huge impact on vaccination fears.
Johnson & Johnson Pause May Endure For Weeks; CDC Advisers To Meet
The Biden administration is pressured to space out two-dose covid vaccines and address local surges, even as rollout efforts have to be adjusted for the J&J vaccine pause–an issue which will last “days to weeks” but not “weeks to months” according to Dr. Anthony Fauci.