Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Rare Cases Of Heart Inflammation Alter Some Nations' Vaccine Protocols
The New York Times: A New Vaccine Strategy For Children: Just One Dose, For Now
Even as parents in the United States wrestle with difficult questions over vaccinating their children against the coronavirus, families in other countries have been offered a novel option: giving children just one dose of the vaccine. Officials in Hong Kong as well as in Britain, Norway and other countries have recommended a single dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children ages 12 and older — providing partial protection from the virus, but without the potential harms occasionally observed after two doses. On Wednesday, Sweden and Denmark joined the ranks, announcing that adolescents should get only one jab of the Moderna vaccine. (Mandavilli, 10/6)
Bloomberg: Sweden Halts Moderna’s Covid Vaccine For People Aged 30 Or Under
Sweden and Denmark decided to halt vaccinations with Moderna Inc.’s Covid-19 shot for younger people because of potential side effects. The Swedish health authority Wednesday cited new data on the increased risk of heart inflammation as a reason for the pause for those aged 30 and under. Denmark will stop giving the shot to those younger than 18. (Daly and Rolander, 10/6)
In more news about heart complications and other side effects —
NBC News: Heart Risks Rare After Pfizer Covid Vaccination, Study Finds
Getting at least one dose of the Pfizer vaccine increased the risk of a rare type of heart inflammation, especially in young males, according to a large new study from researchers in Israel. However, the diagnosed cases were usually mild, and most of the patients were sent home without ongoing need for treatment. The condition, called myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle, has been reported in a very small number of people who received either the Pfizer-BioNTech or the Moderna mRNA vaccines. Symptoms can include chest pain, palpitations and shortness of breath. Most patients who get care recover quickly. (Syal, 10/6)
Fox News: Washington Woman Dead After Rare J&J COVID Vaccine-Induced Blood Clot
A Washington woman succumbed to a rare clotting syndrome after receiving the J&J COVID-19 vaccine, marking the first such death confirmed in the state, health officials announced. The woman, whose name was not revealed by county or state health officials, was in her late 30s and was a resident of King County. She received the vaccine on Aug. 26, 2021 and died over a week later on Sept. 7, according to a statement. The cause of death was thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), according to Seattle & King County Public Health, which described TTS as a rare but serious condition among recipients of the J&J vaccine. The CDC’s Clinical Immunization Safety Assessment Project confirmed the diagnosis, officials noted, adding that the CDC has reported three other confirmed deaths nationwide from the complication. (Rivas, 10/6)
Sports Illustrated: Oilers Forward Josh Archibald Out Indefinitely With Myocarditis
Edmonton Oilers coach Dave Tippett has said that forward Josh Archibald is out indefinitely after having been diagnosed with myocarditis. Tippett also revealed that Archibald had COVID-19 over the off-season. Earlier in September, Oilers GM Ken Holland confirmed to Oilers Now Radio host Bob Stauffer that Archibald was the only unvaccinated player on the team. The news came after it was announced that Oilers goaltender Alex Stalock developed the same heart condition. (Ellis, 10/3)
In other updates on the vaccine rollout —
CIDRAP: Drug, Alcohol Abusers More Prone To COVID-19 Breakthrough Infections
Substance use disorders such as alcohol and opioid addiction predispose fully vaccinated people to COVID-19 breakthrough infection, hospitalization, and death, although the overall risk is low, according to a US study yesterday in World Psychiatry. (Van Beusekom, 10/6)
CNN: Booster Shots Are Outpacing First And Second Doses Of Covid-19 In The US. And The Millions Left Unvaccinated Could Trigger 'Future Waves,' Expert Warns
The US is making headway in its battle against Covid-19 -- with infection and hospitalization rates on the decline after a surge fueled by the relentless Delta variant. But with the number of Americans getting booster shots surpassing those who are initiating vaccination, experts warn more is needed to continue the progress. Coronavirus cases and hospitalizations have both declined by more than 10% from last week, according to data from Johns Hopkins University and the US Department of Health and Human Services, respectively. Just over 56% of the total US population is fully vaccinated, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (Elamroussi, 10/7)
The Baltimore Sun: Maryland Man Allegedly Fatally Shot His Pharmacist Brother For ‘Killing People’ With The COVID Vaccine, Court Records Show
A Cumberland man allegedly killed his brother and sister-in-law in their Ellicott City home last week because his brother, a pharmacist, administered COVID-19 vaccines, according to charging documents filed Wednesday in a Howard County court. Jeffrey Burnham told his mother he had to confront his older brother, Brian Robinette, because he was poisoning people by administering the COVID-19 vaccine, telling his mother, “Brian knows something,” according to the new charging documents filed against Burnham. (Anderson, 10/6)
