Latest KFF Health News Stories
Daily Death Toll Likely To Exceed 9/11 Fatalities For Many Weeks, CDC Says
The messaging has been wrong, CDC director Robert Redfield said: “It’s very disappointing when I have governors who basically feel that masks don’t work.” His agency predicts a death toll of 362,000 in the U.S. by Jan. 2.
After Major Setback, GSK/Sanofi Vaccine Will Be Delayed To End Of ’21
The vaccine failed to trigger the desired immune response in people ages 50 and older, forcing the company to rethink its antigen formulation. The news is a blow for many governments who had ordered millions of doses of the shot, including the United States.
Australian COVID Vaccine Trial Stopped
Engineering a fix could take a year. The episode shows why governments seek multiple sources of vaccines.
Moderna Begins Testing Vaccine On Kids, Has 2021 School Year In Its Sights
The company announced Thursday that it has begun dosing children as young as 12 with its mRNA vaccine. The 3,000 healthy participants will receive two doses, 28 days apart.
FDA Panel Endorses Pfizer Vaccine For Those 16 And Older
The benefits outweigh the risks, a committee of experts advised Thursday in a 17-4 vote, with one person abstaining. The FDA is likely to sign off soon; shots could begin going into arms in just days.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Perspectives: Finally, Nationwide Hospital Data; Relief Or No Relief?; What’s A Restaurant To Do?
Opinion writers weigh in on these pandemic issues and other public health issues, as well.
Viewpoints: Lessons On Getting More People To Agree To Take Vaccines
Editorial pages focus on topics related to vaccines and their distribution.
No. 4: Saudi Arabia Joins Other Countries In Approving Pfizer Vaccine
Canada also approved it and expects to authorize Moderna’s vaccine soon. Other global news includes concerns of vaccine hoarding by rich countries and a directive for China’s airline pilots to wear diapers rather than risk COVID infection using aircraft bathrooms.
Pennsylvania’s governor is the latest. In other state news, Baltimore shuts down all dining and Anchorage gets a monoclonal antibody infusion center.
Research Roundup: COVID; Stillbirths; Appendicitis; Universal Flu Vaccine
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
More States Apply Mask Mandates
And yet, as COVID deaths rise ever higher, some jurisdictions are still pushing back against requiring people to wear a mask.
COVID Complicates Other Health Needs
Fewer Black children getting flu shots and postponed diagnosis of cancers are among the concerns in a year of rampant COVID infections.
Fauci: Trying To Keep Kids In School Is Best Thing To Do
School news also covers bonuses for employees in Alabama, special ed teachers, HBCUs and more.
Analysis Finds Florida Medicaid Is Not Getting Adequate Drug Rebates
The report, by the Milliman consulting firm, recommends that Florida alter its contracts with pharmacy benefit managers so more of the discounts negotiated by those PBMs goes to the state’s Medicaid managed care plans. Also in the news, Google launches a new research app and some patients in deep pain seek a new study of a controversial pain killer, Vioxx.
J&J Cuts Enrollment For Single-Dose Vaccine Trial, Eyes Feb. Authorization
Media reports look at protection from one shot of Pfizer’s vaccine and more vaccine news.
Lobbyist Pressures Sink Surprise Medical Bill Action
Lobbying by the American Hospital Association and the American Medical Association persuaded legislators from moving ahead on a bill to ban surprise medical bills.
Health Care Industry Hit Hardest By Supply Shortages
Sixty-four percent of health care companies reported a shortage of supplies. In other health care industry news, Encompass Health wants to do away with its home health and hospice segment.
Biden Transition Team Gets Started On Health Issues
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar met with the Biden transition team, and Dr. Deborah Birx seeks a role in the Biden administration.
Multiple Proposals Stymie Relief Bill
There is no consensus yet on a bill to provide economic relief to people and businesses affected by the COVID pandemic, including providing liability protections to employers whose employees get sick or die from COVID.
