Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
CDC Investigates Rare Myocarditis In Young Covid Vaccine Recipients
Reuters: U.S. CDC Looking Into Heart Inflammation In Some Young Vaccine Recipients
Some teenagers and young adults who received COVID-19 vaccines experienced heart inflammation, a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory group said, recommending further study of the rare condition. The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices in a statement dated May 17 said it had looked into reports that a few young vaccine recipients, predominantly adolescents and young adults, and predominantly male, developed myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle. (Anilkumar, 5/23)
The New York Times: CDC Is Investigating Heart Problems In A Few Young Covid-19 Vaccine Recipients
The group’s statement was sparse in details, saying only that there were “relatively few” cases and that they may be entirely unrelated to vaccination. The condition, called myocarditis, is an inflammation of the heart muscle, and can occur following certain infections. The C.D.C.’s review of the reports is in the early stages, and the agency has yet to determine whether there is any evidence that the vaccines caused the heart condition. The agency has posted guidance on its website urging doctors and clinicians to be alert to unusual heart symptoms among young people who had just received their shots. (Mandavilli, 5/22)
Other news related to youth vaccinations —
Roll Call: Parents Getting Kids Shots Left Out Of COVID-19 Paid Leave Options
The Biden administration and some employers have not extended COVID-19 vaccine paid leave policies to parents helping kids get shots, which children's health advocates say could make it difficult for some of the most vulnerable to get vaccinated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week cleared Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for kids ages 12 to 15, and the agency says at least 600,000 kids got a shot within the first week. (Cohen, 5/21)
NBC News: Faced With Anti-Vaccination Parents, Teens Are Helping One Another Get Covid Shots
The Gen Zer from Ohio who made a splash two years ago for defying his mother to get his childhood immunizations has a message for teenagers seeking Covid-19 vaccinations and getting pushback from their parents — get one if you can. Ethan Lindenberger, 20, got his first dose three weeks ago and said doing so “could save someone’s life.” “Teens faced with this have to weigh things like ‘I know vaccines are lifesaving, but I don’t want to become homeless,’” he said. “So I tell them if you can’t have that loving conversation with your parents and you’re of age, weigh those consequences seriously. (Gostanian and Siemaszko, 5/23)
Axios: Colleges Navigate Vaccine Hurdles For International Students
As more colleges and universities announce COVID vaccine requirements for the fall, they are facing additional logistical challenges figuring out what that will look like for international students. Ensuring international students can get their vaccines is one big piece of safely reopening campuses — which, in turn, could also help reverse some of the dramatic enrollment declines U.S. colleges saw due to COVID-19. (Fernandez, 5/24)
Axios: Study: Pandemic School Closures Will Cost The U.S. Economy Trillions
The long-term economic cost of school closures could reach into the trillions, according to a paper released this week. Beyond the direct health damage caused by COVID-19, no other area will have as far-reaching impact as pandemic-driven school closures. (Walsh, 5/22)
