Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion pages express views about the complicated delivery of vaccines and the crafting of messages about them in order to get as many people vaccinated as possible.
Editorial pages look at these public health issues and others.
Vaccines Slowly Roll Out Around the Globe
As a coronavirus vaccine rolls out around the world–Canada got its first shots Monday as well–logistics snafus hit Britain and poor countries wait for vaccines.
Alaska Weighs Prioritizing Vaccine For Inmates As Prison Outbreak Grows
More than 700 inmates in one prison have been diagnosed with COVID-19. In news from other states, California Gov. Gavin Newsom is facing increasing complaints about his handling of the pandemic, Philadelphia is closing some shelters for homeless people and federal officials announce they have found a mink in the wild that has the coronavirus.
Google Again Pushes Back Workers’ Return To The Office
The tech giant, which was one of the first companies to tell employees to work from home last March, is now advising workers that they won’t be back in the office until next September. In other news about public health, news outlets look at a study about how the coronavirus spreads through a home, issues about wearing a mask, and plans for vaccines in the NFL.
Seniors Might Finally Get Trump Drug Cards
After losing the election, President Donald Trump might be able to send seniors a $200 drug discount card. In other news, the pharmaceutical industry trade group took in nearly $527 million in revenue last year, and a few Sacklers will testify before Congress.
FDA Approves Genetic Modification Of Pigs
It is the first approval for an intentional genomic alteration in a product with both food and medical uses. The alteration should produce allergy-free meat.
Sign-Ups For Obamacare Running At A Faster Pace
The “improbable survivor” of the Trump years, the ACA health exchanges are attracting a crush of sign-ups before the deadline today.
Trump Loosens Rules For Faith-Based Medical Organizations
Religion-affiliated health providers that accept federal tax money no longer need to inform clients about services they don’t provide for religious reasons or refer clients to alternative providers because of a rule change by the Trump administration.
Optimism Grows For COVID-Relief Bill
Splitting the stimulus package into parts has raised the odds that Congress will pass this week some form of economic relief for states, people and businesses affected by the coronavirus.
National Institutes of Health Among Agencies Hacked In Cyberattack
The Department of Homeland Security, which is responsible for securing the distribution of the COVID vaccine, was also targeted in the sophisticated spying operation by Russia.
After Coughing Through His Victory Speech, Biden Says He’s Fighting A Cold
President-elect Joe Biden’s televised address following his Electoral College win was interrupted several times by his coughing and throat-clearing.
We Will Have To Keep Masking Up Through Fall 2021, Fauci Forecasts
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious disease doctor, told MSNBC that if the vaccine rollout is effective that U.S. herd immunity could be achieved by the summer and that life may return to “normal” by fall.
With A Death Every Minute, US Death Toll Pushed Past 300,000
The current pace of American deaths will drive that figure up even higher as the nation faces dire winter months ahead.
Wondering What’s In The Pfizer Vaccine? Here Are The Ingredients
Meanwhile, branding experts are trying to come up with just the right names for the COVID vaccines that will change the world.
FDA Finds Moderna Vaccine To Be Safe, Effective; Could Be Approved By Friday
In an important step toward emergency authorization, a report released ahead of a Thursday FDA advisory panel meeting shows that the agency’s review confirmed Moderna’s efficacy and safety data for its coronavirus vaccine.
On Day 2 Of Vaccinations, Hundreds More Hospitals To Receive Shipments
At least 55 sites across the United States received doses Monday, Operation Warp Speed officials say. Today, shipments are set to arrive at 400 additional hospitals and other distribution sites.
Vaccine Rollout To Nursing Homes Won’t Start Immediately
Vaccination programs at most nursing homes won’t begin until the federal program administered by CVS and Walgreens kicks off, which the CDC says is expected to begin on Dec. 21.
As Soon As The Shots Arrived, Health Workers Rolled Up Their Sleeves
They’ve been battling COVID-19 on the frontlines for nearly a year. Now the start of a mass inoculation program offers protection and hope for U.S. health workers, who are first in line to get the vaccine.
