Latest KFF Health News Stories
Active-Duty Troops To Help 5 States With Covid Shots, Starting In California
An initial group of 222 service members will be deployed to a vaccination site in California in the coming days, the Defense Department said Friday.
Pfizer Speeds Up Vaccine Production; Fauci Sees End To Shortages
Pfizer says it is adding manufacturing plants and improving efficiency of production. Meanwhile, Dr. Anthony Fauci told NBC availability will improve in the months ahead.
South Africa Halts AstraZeneca Vaccination Plans Over Variant Efficacy
Plans to begin vaccinating health care workers in South Africa were paused after a small clinical trial found that the vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford may not protect against mild and moderate illness from the more contagious coronavirus variant first discovered in that country.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers focus on these public health issues and others.
England Records Unexpected Numbers Of Children With Rare Covid Illness
Also, news reports look at a new travelers’ quarantine imposed by England, Canada’s ban on cruise vessels until 2022 and more.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KHN finds longer stories for you to sit back and enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on covid-19, “booty juice,” the Super Bowl, biometrics and nitrous oxide.
California Prison Hit With Record $421,880 Fine After Deadly Outbreak
A report examined how a lack of planning led to an outbreak that sickened 75% of the San Quentin State Prison.
Covid Tests: ‘Cash Cow’ Or Waste Of Money For Doctors, Hospitals?
In some places, low insurance reimbursement rates have led doctors to stop testing altogether. But in other places, the tests have become big business.
Google Rolls Out Features To Monitor Heart, Respiration On Pixel Phones
Both features work by using the camera, Stat reported. Google also said it plans to roll out the features to other Android phones soon. Other pharmaceutical and biotech news is on McKinsey’s opioid settlement, 23andMe and Merck.
Study: International Travel Had Biggest Impact On Covid Death Rate Early On
Researchers assessed death rates in the 37 hardest-hit countries, including the United States. They found that every 1 million international arrivals was associated with a 3.4% spike in the mean daily increase of deaths from the virus.
Heavy Metals Like Arsenic, Lead Found In Some Baby Foods: Investigation
House Democratic lawmakers are calling on the FDA to better regulate the baby food safety after congressional investigators found toxic ingredients in several brands.
Previous Pneumonia Is Strong Sign You’re At Risk Of Severe Covid: Study
High blood pressure and chronic kidney disease might also play a greater role in covid deaths than currently thought, the Harvard University researchers said.
Don’t Hold Your Breath: Ending Pandemic Could Take 7 Years
In better news, The New York Times reports on positive vaccine developments.
Senate Approves Relief Package, Dismisses Minimum Wage Hike
President Joe Biden’s proposed relief aid advanced in the Senate after last night’s 15-hour vote-a-rama, with Vice President Kamala Harris casting the tie-breaking vote.
Military, Government Mask Mandates Increase But Tensions Remain
All military personnel must now wear masks when working indoors or outside. Meanwhile, battles over face coverings continue in the Wisconsin and Iowa state legislatures.
Search For CMS Chief Narrows; CDC Director Faces Morale Challenges
News outlets report on the ongoing Biden administration transition at federal health agencies.
FDA Prepares To Escalate Covid Strategies To Counter Variants
More booster shots of vaccine as well as additional testing and treatment drug capacity will be needed if the spread of new coronavirus strains picks up, as experts worry will happen. The FDA will release new guidance in the coming weeks to respond.
Trump Rule Change For ‘Vaccine Court’ May End Help For Shoulder Injuries
More than 2,200 Americans since 2017 have filed shoulder-injury claims to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, USA Today reports. But a rule change signed last month by then-HHS Secretary Alex Azar would remove shoulder injuries from the program, known as vaccine court.
It’s A Bird … It’s A Plane! … It’s The Covid Vaccine?
Drone delivery service Zipline, which is based in San Francisco, will begin transporting the vaccine in April in all of the markets where it currently operates.
