Latest KFF Health News Stories
Vaccines Slowly Roll Out Around the Globe
As a coronavirus vaccine rolls out around the world–Canada got its first shots Monday as well–logistics snafus hit Britain and poor countries wait for vaccines.
FDA Approves Genetic Modification Of Pigs
It is the first approval for an intentional genomic alteration in a product with both food and medical uses. The alteration should produce allergy-free meat.
Seniors Might Finally Get Trump Drug Cards
After losing the election, President Donald Trump might be able to send seniors a $200 drug discount card. In other news, the pharmaceutical industry trade group took in nearly $527 million in revenue last year, and a few Sacklers will testify before Congress.
Google Again Pushes Back Workers’ Return To The Office
The tech giant, which was one of the first companies to tell employees to work from home last March, is now advising workers that they won’t be back in the office until next September. In other news about public health, news outlets look at a study about how the coronavirus spreads through a home, issues about wearing a mask, and plans for vaccines in the NFL.
Optimism Grows For COVID-Relief Bill
Splitting the stimulus package into parts has raised the odds that Congress will pass this week some form of economic relief for states, people and businesses affected by the coronavirus.
Trump Loosens Rules For Faith-Based Medical Organizations
Religion-affiliated health providers that accept federal tax money no longer need to inform clients about services they don’t provide for religious reasons or refer clients to alternative providers because of a rule change by the Trump administration.
Sign-Ups For Obamacare Running At A Faster Pace
The “improbable survivor” of the Trump years, the ACA health exchanges are attracting a crush of sign-ups before the deadline today.
After Coughing Through His Victory Speech, Biden Says He’s Fighting A Cold
President-elect Joe Biden’s televised address following his Electoral College win was interrupted several times by his coughing and throat-clearing.
National Institutes of Health Among Agencies Hacked In Cyberattack
The Department of Homeland Security, which is responsible for securing the distribution of the COVID vaccine, was also targeted in the sophisticated spying operation by Russia.
Wondering What’s In The Pfizer Vaccine? Here Are The Ingredients
Meanwhile, branding experts are trying to come up with just the right names for the COVID vaccines that will change the world.
With A Death Every Minute, US Death Toll Pushed Past 300,000
The current pace of American deaths will drive that figure up even higher as the nation faces dire winter months ahead.
We Will Have To Keep Masking Up Through Fall 2021, Fauci Forecasts
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious disease doctor, told MSNBC that if the vaccine rollout is effective that U.S. herd immunity could be achieved by the summer and that life may return to “normal” by fall.
On Day 2 Of Vaccinations, Hundreds More Hospitals To Receive Shipments
At least 55 sites across the United States received doses Monday, Operation Warp Speed officials say. Today, shipments are set to arrive at 400 additional hospitals and other distribution sites.
FDA Finds Moderna Vaccine To Be Safe, Effective; Could Be Approved By Friday
In an important step toward emergency authorization, a report released ahead of a Thursday FDA advisory panel meeting shows that the agency’s review confirmed Moderna’s efficacy and safety data for its coronavirus vaccine.
Meet The First Person In The US To Get COVID Vaccine
Sandra Lindsay is a nurse and director of patient services in the Long Island Jewish Medical Center’s ICU. After receiving the historic shot, she told CNN: “I trust science. What I don’t trust is getting Covid-19, because I don’t know how it will affect me and the people around me.”
As Soon As The Shots Arrived, Health Workers Rolled Up Their Sleeves
They’ve been battling COVID-19 on the frontlines for nearly a year. Now the start of a mass inoculation program offers protection and hope for U.S. health workers, who are first in line to get the vaccine.
Vaccine Rollout To Nursing Homes Won’t Start Immediately
Vaccination programs at most nursing homes won’t begin until the federal program administered by CVS and Walgreens kicks off, which the CDC says is expected to begin on Dec. 21.
Ataques a la salud pública generan éxodo de funcionarios en medio de la pandemia
Estas partidas son una erosión adicional a la ya frágil infraestructura de salud pública del país, antes de la campaña de vacunación más grande en la historia de los Estados Unidos.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Behind Each of More Than 300,000 Lives Lost: A Name, a Caregiver, a Family, a Story
Family members and health care workers say the statistic of 300,000 lost Americans cannot capture their grief or anger at the apathy they’ve encountered from those who minimize the dangers of the coronavirus. “The numbers do not reflect that these were people,” said Brian Walter, who lost his father.