Latest KFF Health News Stories
Israel To Start Giving Third Covid Shots To People Older Than 60
It is one of the first countries in the world to make such a move, CNN says. Those who want the booster shot will need to show they received their second dose of the vaccine at least five months ago. Also in the news: Saudi Arabia, Myanmar and New Zealand.
As Covid Rises, Off-Season Surge In RSV Is Landing Children In Hospitals
Oklahoma and Louisiana are seeing pediatric wards fill up as RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, rises nationally. In other public health news, a salmonella outbreak, a severe allergy season and more.
Global Plan Fails At Crushing AIDS; New HIV Pill Comes With A Catch
This 5-year campaign was run by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), UNICEF, the World Health Organization and the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. The plan met none of its goals.
Florida Hospitals Postponing Elective Surgeries Because Of Covid Surge
Several facilities are cutting back the elective procedures as hospitalizations rates have increased 150% in the past two weeks.
Next On Schumer’s Agenda: Giant Budget Bill With New Health Spending
Now that senators have a bipartisan agreement on traditional infrastructure spending, Democrats are planning to press ahead on a $3.5 trillion framework to implement President Joe Biden’s agenda for human infrastructure spending, which includes a variety of health initiatives.
Troubled Baltimore Vaccine Plant Gets Approval To Reopen
Federal officials gave Emergent BioSolutions a green light to resume production of the Johnson & Johnson covid-19 vaccine, officials announced Thursday. The plant had been shut down after critical production problems were discovered three months ago. Also, doctors are weary of the excuses from those who are hesitant to get a vaccine. And states face expiring vaccines.
Eviction Ban Expires Saturday As Biden Calls On Congress To Extend It
As of earlier this month, 3.6 million Americans said they expected to face eviction in the next two months, yet a legislative path to extend the ban remains unclear.
Pentagon Weighs Covid Vaccine Requirements For Military
The new vaccine rule for federal workers announced by President Joe Biden does not apply to U.S. military personnel. But he did order Defense Department leaders and medical staff to kickstart a review of a potential mandate.
Federal Workers Must Get Shot Or Comply To Weekly Testing, Masks
The strict requirement released by President Joe Biden Thursday applies to an estimated 4 million federal employees, as well as millions more contractors. Political fallout and potential legal pushback is expected, but the White House hopes to set an example for local governments and private businesses as covid cases again surge. Biden said at the event: “If in fact you are unvaccinated, you present a problem — to yourself, to your family, and to those with whom you work. . . . You want to know how we put this virus behind us? I’ll tell you how. We need to get more people vaccinated.”
In Reversal, NC To Urge All Students, Teachers To Mask, Even If Vaccinated
Kentucky, Oregon and D.C.-area schools announce masking plans for the new school year, while the mask-school debate continues to unfold across the nation. And summer camps experience covid outbreaks.
Do You Need To Mask Up? Yes, In Almost 70% Of US Counties, CDC Says
Also in masking news: U.S. Capitol Police are ordered to enforce a new masking mandate, House Republican lawmakers protest that new masking mandate, the District of Columbia and Smithsonian museums require masks indoors and more from across the nation — including from the Florida and Texas governors.
Remember Last Summer’s Dangerous Covid Surge? We’re There Again
The numbers of U.S. covid infections and hospitalizations are approaching the same levels as they were a year ago. But new research finds that the dangers are vastly uneven for the vaccinated vs. the unvaccinated: almost 95% of the people dying did not get the shot.
CDC Report Warns ‘War Has Changed’ Due To Highly Contagious Delta
How contagious? The delta variant can be transmitted as easily as chickenpox or measles, including by vaccinated people, according to the internal document obtained by news outlets. The report also notes that delta cases can be more severe in unvaccinated patients. Confirming the report, Dr. Rochelle Walensky told CNN: “It’s one of the most transmissible viruses.”
Watchdog Suggests Medicare Advantage Customers Underserved At End Of Life
A Government Accountability Office report finds that Medicare Advantage beneficiaries in their last year of life were more than twice as likely to drop their policies and enroll in traditional Medicare than other Medicare Advantage enrollees. Other Medicare news covers chronic care, racial coverage gaps and provider pay hikes.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers examine these public health concerns.
Different Takes: NFL Adjusting its Vaccine Rules; What If We Can’t Convince The Vaccine-Hesitant?
Opinion writers weigh in on these covid, vaccine and masking issues.
Vaccinated American, EU Visitors No Longer Need Quarantine In England
The change is effective from Aug. 2, and was announced yesterday. Separately, reports show that though the U.K.’s covid case rate is falling, scientists don’t know why. Covid in Burundi, Uruguay, Canada, Australia and China, plus a rare case of fetus-in-fetu in Israel are also in the news.
Covid Knocks US Pole Vaulter Out Of Olympics; Tokyo’s Surge Continues
Sam Kendricks, considered a medal contender, tested positive for coronavirus and is no longer eligible to compete. Separately, reports show Tokyo’s infection surge is continuing with a third record-level day, worrying Olympic officials. News outlets also discuss Simone Biles’ withdrawal.
Research Roundup: Psychology Of Teenagers; UTIs; Drug Compounders
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
