Latest KFF Health News Stories
CDC Says People With Allergic Reaction To First Shot Can Get J&J For Second
Patients who exhibited an allergic reaction to the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine can get the Johnson & Johnson jab for their second round, a CDC scientist said.
No Longer A Skeptic?: Trump Quietly Got A Covid Shot In January
And over the weekend, the former president told CPAC attendees that “everybody” should get a covid shot — the first time he’s publicly encouraged supporters to do so, Axios reports.
Don’t ‘Shop’ For Specific Vaccine Brand, State Officials Urge
With three shots now available with differing dosing regimens, reported efficacy and availability, health officials worry that Americans will hold out for the one they want — delaying efforts to quickly vaccinate the nation.
As First J&J Shots Reach Arms, Biden To Announce Production Help From Merck
The Washington Post reports that President Joe Biden will announce that Merck & Co. will help boost the Johnson & Johnson supply — a rare partnership between pharmaceutical rivals. Meanwhile, the first doses of the newly approved vaccine will be administered today.
Cities Starting To Detect Multiple Covid Variants
Houston hit an undesirable jackpot by being the first city in the U.S. to report infections from all the major known coronavirus variants.
CDC Urged To Improve Its Guidance On Workplace Aerosol Covid Transmission
A group of House Democratic leaders wrote a four-page letter asking the Biden administration to be more specific about how to keep people safe, especially in the workplace. They say the CDC’s official guidelines downplay the risk of the aerosol spread of covid-19.
Twitter To Flag Misleading Covid Vaccine Posts, Block Repeat Offenders
The social media giant is stepping up its efforts to combat covid-19 vaccine misinformation. In additional to labeling false material, Twitter announced an escalating 5-strike policy for repeated violations.
CDC Chief Warns States Not To Roll Back Restrictions As Cases Plateau
“Please hear me clearly—at this level of cases with variants spreading, we stand to completely lose the hard-earned ground we have gained. These variants are a very real threat to our people and our progress,” Dr. Rochelle Walensky said.
Teens Seek More Mental Health Care As Pandemic Persists
Ongoing lockdowns and restrictions throw a spotlight on young people’s fraying mental health. Meanwhile readers in our Letters to the Editor section give advice for our pandemic times.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Lessons On Vaccinating Everyone, Everywhere; Preventing More Superspreader Events
Opinion writers weigh in on these pandemic topics and others.
CDC Announces Travel Restrictions For Countries Hit By Ebola
Passengers to the U.S. arriving from Guinea and the Democratic Republic of Congo will be sent to six airports so the CDC can track them. News is also from Canada, China and elsewhere.
Virginia Sets Sights On Sales, Use Of Legalized Marijuana By 2024
News on recreational use of marijuana is from New York and Massachusetts, as well. Media outlets also report on loosening of covid restrictions, a paid sick leave bill and more.
3,000 Units Lost: Gulf Coast Blood Supply Critically Low
The storm forced closures of drive-up and walk-in donation sites. Media outlets report on harms caused by sometimes-smokers, Tampa Bay prepping for spring break, and more.
There’s No Letup For Nurses, Doctors
In New York, data released last week show that nurses filed 26,219 complaints to hospital and nursing home managers about understaffing in 2019 and 2020.
Cigna Subsidiary Evernorth To Acquire Telehealth Provider MDLive
Cigna, which has been a longtime investor in MDLive, will wrap it into Evernorth’s portfolio of health services, Stat reports. The deal was announced Friday.
US Buys 100,000 Doses Of Eli Lilly’s FDA-Authorized Covid Treatment
The treatment is a cocktail of monoclonal antibodies that combines bamlanivimab with a second drug known as etesevimab. The cocktail received emergency use authorization in February.
Insurance Must Cover Covid Tests Even For Asymptomatic Patients, CMS Says
There should be no additional cost sharing for diagnostic covid-19 testing even if a person has no symptoms or was not exposed, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said in new guidance to group health plans.
Virus Variants Take Hold; Now Behind 10% Of US Infections
One such variant — the P.1 that is believed to have emerged first in Brazil — has British health officials on the hunt for a missing person believed to be infected by it.
Medicare Cuts Loom If Relief Bill Passes And Waiver Isn’t Approved
Automatic PAYGO cuts to Medicare, student loan and farm subsidy programs would be triggered by the $1.9 billion stimulus package, the Congressional Budget Office says. Lawmakers could override the funding cuts, but that gives Republicans a bargaining chip as the Senate considers the legislation.
