Latest KFF Health News Stories
Vaccine Chasers Scour Internet, Wait In Line For Leftover Shots
Some Americans scrambling to score a shot are searching for any intel about distribution sites that may have “extra” doses thawed and available to people who are not yet eligible. And everyone trying to get vaccinated should be on the alert for scams.
When Will Vaccines Be Open To All? Fauci Predicts April
Dr. Anthony Fauci expects the covid vaccination rate to ramp up during March and that the U.S. will reach “open season” by April. Meanwhile, news outlets report that while the rollout improves there is a cost for pharmacies and low-income communities.
Thousands Of Covid Patients Sent To NY Nursing Homes; Cuomo Aide Acknowledges Concealing Data
The Associated Press obtained records that show 9,056 patients recovering from the coronavirus were directed to nursing homes by New York state in the early days of the pandemic. And an aide to Gov. Andrew Cuomo admits that his office “froze” the data.
Biden Announces Vaccine Buy That Will Boost US Supply To 600M Doses
The latest deal secures 200 million more covid vaccine doses from Pfizer and Moderna, to be delivered by the end of July. While that provides enough for every adult American in the country, President Joe Biden says there are still distribution obstacles to fix.
Trump Was More Severely Ill From Covid Than Revealed To Public: Reports
Low blood oxygen levels and lung infiltrates caused by the coronavirus prompted considerations of putting then-president Donald Trump on a ventilator last October, The New York Times reports.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Lessons On Vaccine Passports, Double Masking, Social Distancing, Censoring
Opinion writers weigh in on these pandemic topics and others.
Editorial pages focus on these public health issues and others.
WHO Researchers: Did Covid Start Much Earlier In China?
That might help explain why covid cases appeared in Europe and the U.S. as early as November. News is on a shortage of syringes in Japan and more.
Research Roundup: Antibiotic Resistance; Covid In Breast Milk; Breast Cancer; Timing Of Exercise
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
California Bill Makes ‘Stealthing’ Illegal
Removal of a condom without consent would allow victims to pursue claims for damages, says the bills sponsor Cristina Garcia. News reports look at efforts to ban nearly all abortions in Arkansas and opposition to expanding Medicaid in Wisconsin.
Air Pollution In Northeast Threatens Lives Of Subway Riders, Workers
News reports are also on rising levels of anxiety and depression among adults and young students because of covid and on censoring misinformation on social media sites.
Chicago Hospital Files For Bankruptcy After State Rejected Closure Plans
The historic Mercy Hospital on the South Side of Chicago predominantly serves Medicaid patients and community groups have been fighting to keep it open.
Diabetes Drug Shown To Aid Weight Loss For Patients With Obesity
Novo Nordisk is seeking FDA approval of semaglutide for use as a chronic weight-management drug.
Studies Dig Deeper Into Aerosol Transmission Of Coronavirus
People who suffer from obesity appear to exhale more, increasing their rate of potentially spreading covid; researchers are looking harder at air conditioning’s role in the pandemic; the EPA now says handrails and doorknobs made with at least 95.6% copper can be marketed as “virus-killing.”
It’s OK Not To Quarantine After Getting Both Doses Of Vaccine, CDC Says
Still, a man in California says he was diagnosed with covid three weeks after getting his second dose of the Pfizer vaccine, Fox News reports.
Scheduling Your Shot? Try Not To Do It Before Your Mammogram, Docs Say
Some women may get swollen lymph nodes after a vaccination, which could be confused as a sign of breast cancer. In other covid vaccination news: States and counties continue to revamp their eligibility requirements; Sam’s Club and Walmart stores in Oklahoma will begin giving shots Friday; and the mass-vaccination site at Dodger Stadium has to temporarily shut down.
AstraZeneca Vaccine Still Gets WHO’s Approval
Media outlets also report developments at Merck, Johnson & Johnson and others.
White House To Build Mass Vaccination Sites In Texas, New York
The move is part of the Biden administration’s effort to speed up vaccine distribution and reach underserved communities. Similar plans were announced in California last week. Meanwhile, the Biden administration says it also needs to ramp up efforts to detect covid variants and increase rapid testing access.
Vaccine Resistance May Delay Herd Immunity Goals Until End Of Year
Less than half of Americans said in December they were very likely to get the covid shots, according to a new CDC study. That is far below the 70-85% vaccination rate that scientists say is needed to control the virus.
