Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Despite New Rule, Most States Won't Let Pharmacists Inoculate Toddlers
CNN: Despite The Trump Administration's New Policy, Many Pharmacies Still Won't Vaccinate Children Against Flu
As a dark winter approaches with "twindemics" of Covid-19 and the flu, an effort by the Trump administration to increase the number of children receiving flu shots is not working, according to a CNN investigation. In August, the administration issued a declaration authorizing pharmacists nationwide to give flu shots to children ages 3 and older, which most states have not allowed. (Cohen, Bonifield and Jenkins, 10/26)
Scientific American: A Flu Shot Might Reduce Coronavirus Infections, Early Research Suggests
A new study suggests that there could be another key reason to get a flu jab this year: it might reduce your risk of COVID-19. The research, released as a preprint that has not yet been peer-reviewed, indicates that a flu vaccine against the influenza virus also may trigger the body to produce broad infection-fighting molecules that combat the pandemic-causing coronavirus. The paper is in line with some other recent studies published in peer-reviewed journals that point to similar effects. But researchers caution the research is preliminary and needs to be bolstered by more rigorous experiments. (Wenner Moyer, 10/27)
New York Post: Drop In Flu Deaths May Indicate That Most At Risk Died From COVID-19
Flu deaths are down two-thirds from the five-year average, a drop that could indicate the most vulnerable Americans died in the first wave of COVID-19. New federal estimates show no flu deaths for the week ending Oct. 17. The federal five-year average for the same week is 17 fatalities. The state and the city recorded no flu deaths, which is also that week’s five-year average for each. (Gray, 10/24)
Bloomberg: Pharmacies See Record Flu Shot Demand In First Season With Covid
While the world awaits a vaccine for Covid-19, Americans are rushing to pharmacies in record numbers for seasonal flu shots. Public health officials say that may help avoid a “twindemic.” CVS Health Corp. has already surpassed the 9 million flu shots it gave during the entire previous season and expects to double that number by the end of this cycle, a spokesman said. Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. has administered 60% more doses in its U.S. stores than at this point last year, said Rina Shah, group vice president of pharmacy operations. (LaVito and Court, 10/26)
