Latest KFF Health News Stories
Parents’ Bereavement Leave For Miscarriages Now Law In New Zealand
As the E.U. tries to improve its covid vaccine program, the bloc plans strict export controls. Elsewhere, Germany will fund vaccines for Holocaust survivors, and Brazil becomes the second country to pass 300,000 covid deaths, after the U.S.
Viewpoints: Are Covid Variants Limited?; Vaccine Passports Key To Resuming Normalcy
Opinion writers weigh in on covid and vaccines.
Research Roundup: Covid, Weight Loss, Hearing Loss, Sinusitis And More
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Oregon Report Slams State Officials For Covid Deaths At Nursing Homes
Lack of preparation before the pandemic led to unnecessary deaths while state agencies were building a new bureaucracy virtually from the ground up, auditors found.
Virginia Abolishes ‘Fundamentally Flawed’ Death Penalty
Virginia’s Gov. Ralph Northam signed the law Wednesday, making it the first Southern state to ban capital punishment. Elsewhere, New York and Delaware near deals to allow legalized marijuana sales.
CDC Refuses Cruise Industry Request To Set Sail Sooner Than November
As the travel industry tries to recover from the pandemic, Southwest Airlines is returning to its normal pre-covid boarding system. In other news, dentists report an uptick in damaged teeth and a new study warns against too much high-intensity exercise.
Uber Expands Its Medication Delivery Business
In a new deal with ScriptDrop, Uber will become the default prescription drug delivery service for thousands of pharmacies and health systems in 37 states, Stat reports. Other health industry news reports on Cardinal Health, Pfizer and struggling hospitals.
State Attorneys Pressure Facebook, Twitter To Crush Covid Misinformation
NPR reports that social media content with covid misinformation is among the most highly engaged-with posts; meanwhile, Mississippi moves to correct “misleading” vaccine information found in official texts.
At Least 1 Covid Shot Has Been Given To 7 In 10 Elderly Americans
In other news, research says that post-vaccine covid infection risks are very low in medical workers; Oregon’s mixup will allow 11,000 residents to officially jump the vaccine line, and CNN asks if covid line-jumping is ever OK.
Health Experts Say America Needs More Rapid, Cheap Covid Tests
Meanwhile, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, is facing scrutiny for reportedly giving family members priority for covid testing last year.
Carcinogenic Benzene Found In Some Anti-Covid Hand Sanitizers
In other news, a study again shines a positive spotlight on remdesivir as a covid treatment; hospitals in Seattle and Colorado plan to treat children with covid-induced anosmia; and worries emerge about the pandemic’s impact on STIs.
Feds And Pharma Make Moves To Boost Vaccine Supply, Distribution
The FDA authorized a new manufacturer to help Johnson & Johnson with its vaccine production. Meanwhile, other contractors aiding Moderna and Pfizer’s efforts are cashing in.
Nearly 2,900 Migrant Minors Test Positive For Coronavirus Over One Year
Data on covid infections in migrant children detained in government shelters include 300 currently in the system. Elsewhere, figures show hospitalizations for older citizens are falling and Congress begins to plan what to do if a future pandemic strikes.
Former Vaccine Czar Slaoui Removed From Board Due To Sexual Harassment Charges
Moncef Slaoui, who led Operation Warp Speed during the Trump administration, was fired from the Galvani Bioelectronics board of directors after it investigated and substantiated allegations of sexual harassment dating back several years.
Rachel Levine Confirmed As Assistant Secretary For Health In Historic Vote
It was the first Senate confirmation — by 52-48 with two Republicans joining all Democrats and Independents — of an openly transgender official. Dr. Rachel Levine most recently served as Pennsylvania’s secretary of health.
Revised AstraZeneca Vaccine Data Still Shows Shot Is Very Effective
Following questions raised by U.S. safety board officials, AstraZeneca updated its clinical trial analysis — finding its coronavirus vaccine to be 76% effective, rather than the 79% reported Monday. The report maintains that it is 100% effective at protecting against severe covid.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Different Takes: Drug Use Is A Community Health Issue; Keeping Integrity In Health Care Leadership
Opinion writers focus on these issues and more.
Viewpoints: Covid Variants May Prevent Herd Immunity; Biden Must Maximize Bioengineering
Editorial pages weigh in on covid and vaccines.
‘America First’ Vaccine Plan Works, Other Nations Struggle For Supplies
Elsewhere, Cuba is trying an experimental covid shot of its own, Paraguay struggles politically with offers to use China’s vaccine and the E.U. plans to limit vaccine exports to other nations, echoing the U.S.’ vaccine plan.
