Latest KFF Health News Stories
Animal Study Offers Mixed Results For Omicron-Specific Booster
In a study in primates, an omicron booster shot offered protection against the variant, but it did not appear to offer more protection than the original Moderna vaccine.
Florida Fights Back Against Turning Over Daily Covid Data
A lawsuit alleges the state Department of Health violated public records laws by turning down requests for daily covid figures.
Upstate New York Towns Think Of Secession To Battle Covid Rules
News outlets cover covid rules across the country, including Nevada being among the last nine states with strict indoor mask rules, and the controversy over a recent Johns Hopkins study over the ineffectiveness of lockdowns.
New Website Aims To Streamline Reimbursement For Covid Tests
The site, called Goodbill, uploads your insurance card and the bar codes on the tests and automates the insurance process for the user, according to Crain’s Detroit Business.
More Health Care Hiring In January, Despite Omicron
An estimated 18,000 health care jobs were added in January, up from December’s 14,300 total, even as omicron covid hospitalizations soared. Separately, hospital executives say that recruitment and staff retention is their top priority.
Efforts To Save Califf’s FDA Nomination Pick Up
A group of doctors and public health advocacy organizations are urging senators to confirm Dr. Robert Califf as the next head of the Food and Drug Administration. Califf himself is also trying to reassure key lawmakers that he will work to improve the agency’s accelerated approval process for new drugs.
New Rule Aims To Get Schools Back On Nutritional Track
The Department of Agriculture issued new “bridge” standards Friday for meals served in schools, starting next fall, that are intended to restart efforts to offer healthier food. Stricter government rules were eased during the pandemic.
900,000 Americans Already Lost With Covid Deaths On The Rise
As the nation passed this terrible milestone, President Joe Biden on Friday urged the unvaccinated to reconsider and estimated that over 1 million American lives have been saved by the covid vaccines.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Different Takes: OTC Birth Control Now Reality; Forced Sterilization Of Disabled People Must End
Editorial pages tackle these public health topics.
Opinion writers weigh in on these covid issues.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KHN finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on covid, body odor, ADHD, hedgehogs, malaria, and more.
Without Moderna, African Researchers Nearly Copy Its Vaccine
Afrigen Biologics and Vaccines, from Cape Town, has nearly built a copy of Moderna’s mRNA covid vaccine after Moderna refused a partnership request. Separate reports say Africa’s covid vaccine effort needs an extra $1.29 billion in funding to boost the rollout to more people.
Worrying Infectious HIV Strain Found In The Netherlands
Though the strain may have been circulating for a few decades, the report identifying the strain says existing HIV meds work just as well against it. Separately, the University of Texas Health Science Center is seeking volunteers to take part in an mRNA-based HIV vaccine.
Former Pfizer Staff Accused Of Medicine Trade Secret Theft
The pair of former employees, now being sued by the company, are accused of stealing secrets related to obesity and diabetes medicines. In other news, poor sales of its new Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm have led to Biogen forecasting a weak financial year for 2022.
Probe Launched Into Hacking Breach Of UnitedHealthcare
Rhode Island’s attorney general is seeking information about UnitedHealthcare’s role in safeguarding employees’ private data. The company is also in the news for a class-action lawsuit over an alleged failure to manage $7 billion in retirement funds.
Iowa Governor Says Public Health Emergency Is ‘No Longer Feasible’
The move by Gov. Kim Reynolds, a Republican, will limit the release of data about rates of vaccination and covid spread. Also, the Army is planning a court-martial for a junior officer for failing to follow rules on covid-19, and Los Angeles County is preparing to loosen its covid-prevention restrictions.
Jabs For Kids Ages 5-11 Slow Way Down
The seven-day average that ended Jan. 28 marked the slowest period since the government approved covid shots for that age group on Nov. 2, Bloomberg said. Just 31% have received the vaccine.
Biden’s Science Adviser Slams Critics Who Scoffed At Cancer ‘Moonshot’
In an interview with STAT, White House adviser Eric Lander argued that the new plan is “audacious” even though it doesn’t mention cancer “cures” and doesn’t ask for new research money.
White House Launches $19M Grants To Boost Residencies
The move is part of an effort to address physician shortages, particularly in underserved and rural communities. Meanwhile, with U.S. hospitals facing staff shortages due to the pandemic, there’s a recruitment drive to attract foreign health care workers.
