Latest KFF Health News Stories
Pregnancy Study On Vaccine’s Effects Debunks Social Media Rumors
The covid-19 shot does not harm the placenta, a new study from Northwestern Medicine confirms.
As Schools Tiptoe Around Mandating Vaccines, More Rely On Covid Testing
But there’s pushback on the increased testing: School nurses in Minnesota have reported no-testing pacts among some varsity sports teams that didn’t want positive results to upset their seasons.
Redesigned McDonald’s Coffee Cups Could Help Supersize Vaccination Effort
Starting in July, the new McCafe cups and stickers will feature the slogan “We Can Do This” and include a website address that directs people to nearby appointments.
White House Reveals Plan For Free Uber, Lyft Rides To Get Covid Shots
The initiative will run until July 4. Meanwhile, New York expands outreach with new subway station pop-up vaccine sites, vaccine passports continue to be controversial, and nearly half of Philly’s police and firefighters aren’t vaccinated.
Not Waiting For CDC, Some States Start Vaccinating Youths As Young As 12
The shots are technically not supposed to be administered until the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends them. That recommendation is expected to be issued today.
‘Entirely And Completely Incorrect’: Fauci, Paul Wrangle Again, This Time Over Covid Origins
In a verbal clash during a Senate hearing with the nation’s top public health officials, Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky alleged an unproven theory that the NIH funded research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology that played a role in the coronavirus crisis. Dr. Anthony Fauci pushed back and said those claims are completely false.
CMS Boosts Vaccine Requirements For Nursing Homes
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services want more visibility into vaccination rates at nursing homes and are now requiring reports every two weeks. The agency also published an interim rule that would require care facilities to offer covid shots and vaccine education to residents and staffers.
Walensky Defends CDC Guidance On Masks, Restrictions During Testy Senate Hearing
Frustrated Republican senators grilled Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention over the pace of the agency pandemic guidance. She also faced questions about a New York Times report on misleading data pushed by the CDC about outdoor transmission of covid.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages tackle these public health topics.
Perspectives: Moving From Vaccine Apartheid To Vaccine Equity; Covid Risk Coverage Needs Reassessed
Opinion writers cover these vaccine and Covid issues.
No One In England Died From Covid On Sunday; Country OKs Hug-Giving
Sunday was the first such day for 14 months. Meanwhile, the EU accepts a delivery delay from AstraZeneca; a distracted nurse in Italy accidentally gave a woman six covid shot doses; and worries emerge about surges in places that had covid under control.
Indian Covid Variant Now Marked As One ‘Of Concern’ By WHO
According to the World Health Organization, studies of the variant indicate increased transmissibility. Meanwhile, India’s seven-day average case rate hits a new high, and reports link “black fungus” infections with covid patients.
Florida Will Regulate Vaping, Lift Legal Age To 21
The new bill signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is facing criticism for preventing local regulations on the marketing and sale of tobacco products. Other news comes from Ohio, Texas, Maryland, California, Colorado and North Carolina.
Liver From Oldest US Donor, Age 95, Successfully Transplanted
In other news, air pollution from farms is linked to nearly 18,000 yearly deaths in the U.S.; Oprah and Prince Harry’s mental health initiative launches; and a golfer with Down syndrome makes history playing in college championships.
Being Overweight As A Child Affects Memory Skills In Mid-Life, Study Finds
According to a new study in the American Heart Association journal Circulation, the more cardiovascular risk factors a person had in childhood — such as obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol — the lower they performed on memory and thinking tests.
Bill To Protect Health Care Workers From Pandemic Lawsuits Reintroduced
The intention is to protect workers who delivered care or withheld services, including those who worked outside of their normal area or with scarce resources. Tennessee health care laws, increased home covid testing and Medicare fraud are also in the news.
NY Public Colleges Will Require Jabs Once FDA Fully Approves Them
Wondering what the reopening plans are in your state or whether you have to wear a mask? The New York Times now has a state-by-state map for you to keep track.
CDC Needs To Pick Up The Pace On Covid Messaging, Health Experts Say
Meanwhile, the national average of covid cases appears to be stabilizing: Newly reported cases in the U.S. were under 40,000 for the third consecutive day.
‘Suitable’ Jobs Must Be Accepted By Unemployment Recipients, Biden Says
President Joe Biden rejected claims his initiative, where refusing a suitable offer of work will lead to a cut-off of federal jobless benefits, undermines efforts to return millions of Americans to work.
