Latest KFF Health News Stories
States Try To Pick Up Pace Of Sluggish Vaccine Rollout As Frustrations Mount
Officials in Georgia, Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Texas, Nebraska, Oregon, California and Hawaii struggle to jump-start mass inoculations programs.
‘Nothing Has Gone Wrong’ With Federal Distribution Of Vaccines: Slaoui
The supply of covid vaccines made it to the states, Operation Warp Speed chief scientific adviser Moncef Slaoui says, while acknowledging a “lag” in state administration.
Florida, New York To Penalize Hospitals That Don’t Swiftly Disperse Shots
With so many dosages sitting unused, Florida and New York governors warned medical facilities that they risk fines or future allotment cuts if they don’t accelerate covid vaccinations.
Stick To Full Two-Dose Vaccine Regimen, FDA Tells Health Officials
Ideas like cutting dosages in half or skipping the second shot have been floated to accelerate U.S. distribution of the covid vaccine. But FDA officials says that deviating from the tested and approved protocols could undermine the vaccination efforts.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Perspectives: Who’s Prescribing? Sure Looks Like The Insurers; Quiet Truths About Starving Children
Opinion writers weigh in on these public health topics and others.
Viewpoints: Lessons On Failed Distribution Of COVID Vaccines In US
Editorial pages focus on reasons behind the delay in administering vaccines and other issues.
India Prepares To Launch First Massive Vaccination Program
Media outlets report on news from India, Russia, China, Indonesia and England.
Inmates Say State Bungled Covid Response
Missouri’s 22 prison facilities have recorded a total of 5,059 cases, including 40 deaths. In other news, states attempt an ad contest to promote mask wearing and Massachusetts gets a telemedicine law.
Pharmacists Warned Walmart For Years About Opioid Sales, Documents Show
One former worker in rural Michigan who raised alarms said, “They told me, ‘Do not reach out to the DEA, do not call the police. If you do so, your employment is going to be terminated immediately.'”
What To Expect In Health Care In 2021
Experts weigh in on covid-19, biotech, “payviders,” burnout and more.
Free Home Visits: Nurse Aides Strive To Help Discharged Patients
News is on a free Houston program that has reduced some readmissions by 80%, systemic racism in health care and more.
Studies Reveal More About Covid
Two studies show antibodies last eight months. Another study found that 17.4% of air samples from hospital environments near covid patients contained the coronavirus.
Biden Taps 3 Officials To Coordinate Vaccine, Testing And Supply Strategy
The president-elect selected Bechara Choucair, a Kaiser Permanente executive, to be the nation’s covid vaccine coordinator; Carole Johnson, the commissioner of New Jersey’s human services department, as the nation’s new covid testing coordinator; and Tim Manning, a former deputy administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to be the nation’s new covid supply coordinator.
Holidays Inflame Covid Crisis With Superspreader Events
Gatherings and events in California, New York, Washington state and elsewhere have already been linked to mass outbreaks.
No Motive Found In Vaccine Sabotage Case
Police says they haven’t uncovered a motive of the Wisconsin pharmacist who allegedly spoiled covid vaccines.
‘Incredibly Worried’: Virus Variant In South Africa Raises Alarms
Britain’s health minister says that the variant found in South Africa poses greater risks than the one found in the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, scientists rush to study the new strains.
UK Becomes First Nation To Roll Out AstraZeneca-Oxford Covid Shots
British health officials highlighted the nation’s aggressive vaccination program as the first British residents receive the AstraZeneca shot. More news on Britain’s vaccination efforts.
US Drastically Off Vaccination Target: Only 4.2M Have Received Shot So Far
The federal government aimed to inoculate 20 million Americans by the end of 2020, but distribution missteps have put the nation far behind that pace.
Half Doses Of Moderna Vaccine Considered To Speed Up Distribution
Moncef Slaoui, the head of Operation Warp Speed, said that the idea of cutting dosages has been discussed with FDA officials and Moderna. Meanwhile, disease experts and scientists debate the wisdom of deviating from tested protocols.
