Latest KFF Health News Stories
J&J Submits Single-Shot Vaccine To FDA For Emergency Use Review
An advisory panel is expected to vote on Feb. 26 on whether the Food and Drug Administration should authorize Johnson & Johnson’s one-dose covid vaccine.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers weigh in on these pandemic topics and others.
Safer, Faster, Stronger: Tokyo Officials Map Out Plans For Olympics
The playbook isn’t finished, but efforts are intensifying to ensure the Summer Olympics will go on in Japan after last year’s postponement. News reports are from Canada, England and India, as well.
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Several States Start To Reopen Health Insurance Marketplaces
Plans in Pennsylvania and New Jersey are central to President Joe Biden’s covid-relief strategy and aim to help people who lost their jobs after the original enrollment periods.
Apple Watch Can Monitor Symptoms Of Parkinson’s Disease
The tracking is relevant because it also might signal when people slip on taking medication aimed at controlling tremors, the research says. News is also on food safety, pay for essential workers, mental health and more.
Surging Oxygen Demands Could Lead To Nationwide Crunch
Stat and NPR look at the supply-chain issues that have created shortages and forced some rationing in California and could spread to other parts of the country.
Ford Awaits FDA Approval For Its Clear, N95 Masks For The Hearing-Impaired
The low-cost, reusable respirators could also help people who depend on facial expressions to better do their jobs, like teachers.
Merck Knew About Suicides Linked To Propecia But Didn’t Update Label, Unsealed Documents Show
Internal records were made public in late January after a 2019 Reuters motion to unseal 11 documents. A 2011 update of the popular anti-baldness treatment’s label didn’t include a warning about suicidal behavior even though the FDA had by then received reports of 10 suicides. Since 2011, the FDA has received reports of another 100 deaths linked to the drug.
Who’s Next In America’s Vaccine Lineup? Perhaps Novavax
While the Johnson & Johnson vaccine could receive emergency use authorization this month, Novavax is not far behind, with possible government authorization as early as April.
Biden Open To Stimulus Check Limits; House Vote Paves Path For Big Bill
President Joe Biden signaled that he is willing to negotiate on who receives relief aid, but that the amount of the checks is firm at $1,400. Meanwhile, House Democrats pushed through a budget resolution that would allow for the package to pass along party lines via reconciliation.
Judge Pauses Texas’ Plans To Oust Planned Parenthood From Medicaid
A temporary restraining order until a Feb. 17 hearing was issued against Texas’ plans to kick Planned Parenthood out of its Medicaid program. The state had told patients they had until yesterday to find a new health care provider.
Identity Theft Warning: Don’t Show Off Your Vaccination Card Or Post It Online
“It’s got your date of birth and your first and last name,” Sandra Guile of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus told “Good Morning America.” “With that information, there are some unsavory individuals out there that [will] try to open up credit cards, buy cell phones, go shopping.”
In Baltimore, Where Shots Are Scarce, Only Second Doses Being Given Out
The city’s sole vaccination site inoculated just 250 people with second doses Wednesday. In Ohio, nursing home residents are being revaccinated after Walgreens discovered it didn’t keep the shots at the correct temperature.
Vaccinations Aren’t Necessary To Reopen Schools, CDC Chief Says
And in other school news, the city of San Francisco says it will sue its own school district to force it to reopen for in-person learning.
Can Vaccines Be Mixed? Oxford To Test Efficacy Of Combos
With multiple covid vaccines available, British researchers will study the changes to efficacy of giving one Pfizer dose and one AstraZeneca dose. Current UK and U.S. guidelines say not to interchange the shots.
‘Lay Low’ And Avoid Super Bowl Superspreaders, Experts Urge
With new cases dropping from January peaks, Dr. Anthony Fauci pleads with Americans to skip gatherings on Super Bowl Sunday to avoid covid spread.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Parsing Policy: Get Relief On The Way; Reopen Schools; Take Care Of Underserved Areas
Opinion writers weigh in on these pandemic topics and others.
