Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Fauci Warns Of 'Two Americas' — One That's Protected, One That's At Risk
CNN: Fauci Warns There May Soon Be 'Two Americas' As Divide Widens Between Vaccinated And Unvaccinated Areas
With the Delta variant accounting for more than a quarter of Covid-19 cases, Dr. Anthony Fauci warns there could soon be "two Americas" -- one where most people are vaccinated and another where low vaccination rates could lead to spikes in cases. The stark disparity between low and high vaccination areas is something Fauci is "very concerned about," he told CNN's Don Lemon on Tuesday night. (Elamroussi, 6/30)
AP: Jill Biden Teams Up With NFL Great To Push Vaccinations
Jill Biden played offense Tuesday in the fight against COVID-19, teaming up with NFL Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith and America’s second gentleman to encourage Texans to get vaccinated against the disease. The first lady and Doug Emhoff, husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, met in Houston at a vaccination event sponsored by the Astros as part of a monthlong effort by Major League Baseball, featuring incentives that included tickets to future games and a replica World Series ring. (Superville, 6/30)
AP: First Lady Jill Biden To Tour A Phoenix Vaccination Clinic
First lady Jill Biden and Doug Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, are scheduled to be in Phoenix on Wednesday to tour of a middle school vaccination clinic. The two were in Utah and Texas earlier this week as part of a Biden administration nationwide tour to celebrate the country’s progress against COVID-19 although many U.S. states continue to experience lagging vaccination rates. (6/29)
In other news about the vaccine rollout —
The Advocate: After $2.3M Vaccine Lottery Kick-Off, New COVID-19 Vaccinations Rise By 14% In Louisiana
The number of people in Louisiana who received their initial COVID-19 vaccine increased by 14% in the week after the state opened registration for its $2.3 million lottery incentive, though even with the modest bump, vaccination rates remain at historic lows. Over the seven-day period ending Monday, 26,086 people received either the one-dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine or the first part of the two-dose Pfizer or Moderna vaccination, according to Louisiana Department of Health data. (Paterson and Adelson, 6/29)
Modern Healthcare: Hospitals Oppose Reporting Staff COVID-19 Vaccination Rates
Hospitals think it's too soon for CMS to require them to report COVID-19 vaccination information about their workforce, according to comments on the inpatient prospective payment system proposed rule. CMS wants hospitals to report the percentage of their healthcare personnel immunized against COVID-19, including independent practitioners affiliated but not directly employed by inpatient facilities. But hospitals said it's too early to require the jabs, given that coronavirus vaccines have only been available for six months and that there are outstanding questions about how long people will remain protected after vaccination. (Brady, 6/29)
Detroit Free Press: Henry Ford Health To Require COVID-19 Vaccine For Workers
Henry Ford Health System is the first in Michigan to announce it is requiring all 33,000 of its employees, as well as students, volunteers and contractors, to get a COVID-19 vaccine. “We acknowledge the magnitude of this decision and we did not make it lightly,” said president and CEO Wright Lassiter III in a statement issued Tuesday. “As a leader and trusted voice in our communities, our patients and members depend on us to create a safe, healthy environment. We owe that same promise to our team members. Safety and infection prevention are everyone’s responsibility.” (Jordan Shamus, 6/29)
WUSF Public Media: Hillsborough Shuts Down Last County-Run COVID Vaccination, Testing Sites
With COVID-19 cases dropping and the demand for vaccines slowing, Hillsborough County shuttered its last vaccination site on Friday and will close its last testing site Wednesday. The county also shut down its 24-hour COVID-19 testing and information hotline on Monday. The county’s emergency operations center and the Department of Health in Hillsborough County based the decisions on the significant drop in positive cases and that fewer people were requesting the COVID-19 vaccination. (Astrel, 6/29)
In news about "breakthrough" infections —
The Wall Street Journal: Why Vaccinated Athletes Are Testing Positive For Coronavirus
A star NBA player, the U.S. Open golf champion and a Ugandan Olympic coach have something in common that is creating a new headache for sports organizers: they tested positive for the novel coronavirus after being vaccinated. Throughout the pandemic, athletes have been the most tested population on the planet, sometimes providing vivid examples of emerging theories—and sometimes helping prove them. (Radnofsky and Bachman, 6/25)
