Latest KFF Health News Stories
Russia’s Sputnik V Vaccine Is 92% Effective At Protecting Against Covid
The study findings add legitimacy to the vaccine, which was met with skepticism when the Russian government released it last August before Phase III trials were completed.
Feds To Start Shipping Vaccines Directly To Pharmacies
Retail pharmacies like CVS, Rite Aid and Walgreens have begun administering shots, but those supplies come from state allocations. Starting Feb. 11, the Biden administration plans to send limited batches directly to those facilities.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers express views about how to reopen public schools and on other topics as well.
Editorial pages focus on these pandemic topics and others.
As Variant Spreads, England Starts Door-To-Door Testing
News reports are from England, Syria, Jordan, Tanzania, South Africa and China.
‘Deeply Flawed’: California Prison Transfers Caused Disaster
Prison officials used outdated test results, the report says, before transferring prisoners to San Quentin and overlooked covid symptoms in others. Twenty-eight people incarcerated at the prison and one staff member have died from covid.
Physician Bias Against People With Disabilities Or Obesity Gains Attention
A survey of U.S. doctors found that more than 80% think people with a significant disability have a worse quality of life than those without disabilities, Stat reports. And some adults with obesity say their doctors have skipped routine tests while blaming ailments on the patient’s weight.
How To Cheer: CDC Issues Guidelines On Super Bowl Gatherings
Avoid attending large parties, shouting or cheering loudly because that can spread the virus, and if you go to restaurant, spend a short amount of time in the restroom.
Writing Test Might Predict Alzheimer’s
An artificial intelligence program developed by IBM researchers that examined subjects’ word usage predicted with 75% accuracy who would later develop Alzheimer’s. Also in the news: Tony Bennett has Alzheimer’s, other potential treatments, why some families keep the diagnosis a secret and more.
Trump Lost Election Because He Mishandled Pandemic, Report Finds
The 27-page report, written by the former president’s chief pollster, found that the coronavirus was the top issue among voters, and that Joe Biden won those voters by a nearly 3-to-1 margin. It’s unclear whether Donald Trump has read the report.
Judge Scraps Trump’s ‘Secret Science’ Rule Limiting EPA Studies
The Biden administration submitted an unopposed petition to the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana to send back the regulation, which limits studies behind public health safeguards.
Biden, Republicans Hold ‘Frank’ Relief Talks But Reach No Deal
The two sides agree on funding vaccination and testing efforts, but that’s where accord ends. The White House says it will not let needed financial aid for Americans get bogged down in drawn-out negotiations.
Fauci: 10K Pregnant Women Have Had Covid Vaccine, With ‘No Red Flags’
“The FDA followed them and will continue to follow them,” the infectious-disease expert said during a media roundtable. In other news: An anti-vaccine protest in Los Angeles that temporarily halted vaccinations at Dodger Stadium was organized on Facebook despite the company’s pledge to crack down on misinformation.
DHS Won’t Make Arrests, Encourages Immigrants To Get Vaccines
The government agency has no timeline for vaccinating immigrants, but the message is softer than under the previous administration.
Nearly Half Of Race Data Missing In First Month Of Vaccinating
The leader of President Joe Biden’s Health Equity Task Force said she’s worried “how behind we are” because of inconsistent emphasis on equity in the first month.
People Who Had Covid Suffer Stronger Vaccine Effects, May Need Only 1 Dose
A study posted online Monday says people who previously had coronavirus reported fatigue, headache, chills, fever and muscle/joint pain after the first shot more frequently than people who never had covid. In other news, infectious-disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci says people previously infected have a “very high rate” of reinfection from a new strain.
White House Tells Hospitals To Start Using Up Backlog Of Vaccine
With millions of delivered doses not yet administered, the Biden administration tells health care providers that they don’t need to stockpile vaccine. Another tactic to speed up inoculations that the White House is not willing to embrace, though, is abandoning the two-dose strategy.
Transit Workers Welcome Mask Rules But Will Shoulder Enforcement Burden
The new public travel mandate is now in effect and those who refuse face fines. Another loophole is tightened: masks may be removed to eat and drink but must be put back in place between bites or sips.
US Invests $230M To Boost Access To At-Home Rapid Covid Testing
Australian-company Ellume’s coronavirus test delivers results in 15 minutes and already received authorization in December for over-the-counter sale by the FDA, but supply is scarce.
