Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Study: When Trump Finally Endorsed Covid Shots, His Supporters Listened
CIDRAP: Trump's COVID Vaccine Endorsement This Year Appears To Have Worked
A political support video earlier this year by former President Donald Trump swayed more Trump voters to consider COVID-19 vaccination than a video by an expert, according to a study published yesterday in PLOS One. On Mar 23, 387 Trump voters experienced one of three options prior to taking an online survey regarding the COVID-19 vaccine: a video of Trump taking pride in America's efforts to develop a COVID-19 vaccine, a scientific expert giving facts about the vaccine, or no video at all. All respondents were either unvaccinated (87.1%) or partially vaccinated (12.9%), with most under 50 years of age (71%), college educated (59% had bachelor's degrees or more), and White (83%). About 42% were in a household with $60,000 to $149,999 in income. (9/28)
USA Today: Vaccination Rates Among Pregnant People Low Despite Risk Of Hospitalization, Death
Vaccination rates among people who are pregnant have been low, despite evidence that vaccines can prevent the "severe risk of severe disease" posed to pregnant people from COVID-19. Only 18% of pregnant people have received a dose, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. While new data shows overall racial disparities in COVID-19 vaccinations are improving, federal numbers show pregnant Black people are the least vaccinated compared to those expecting in other races. Just 15% of Black pregnant people are fully vaccinated and only 13% have received at least one dose, according to the CDC. (Santucci, 9/29)
Axios: More Job Postings Require Proof Of Vaccination
Job postings requiring employees to get vaccinated before applying are on the rise, and more and more firms say they'll terminate existing employees who refuse to get the jab. Corporate America is playing a key role in upping the U.S. vaccination rate. It'll get harder for those who are hesitant to avoid the shot as vaccination status becomes increasingly linked to livelihood. (Pandey, 9/29)
Reuters: Ford Asks U.S. Salaried Employees To Disclose COVID-19 Vaccination Status
Ford Motor Co on Tuesday became the second Detroit automaker to ask U.S. salaried employees to reveal their vaccination status against COVID-19 in a bid to comply with wider federal guidelines. Ford said salaried employees were required to submit their vaccination status against COVID-19 by Oct. 8 but the process was voluntary for its hourly employees represented by the United Auto Workers (UAW) union. (9/28)
In updates on vaccinations in the NBA —
AP: NBA Releases Protocols To Teams For Virus Safety This Season
The NBA released tentative health and safety protocols to its teams Tuesday, detailing how unvaccinated players will be tested far more often than their vaccinated colleagues and face a slew of other restrictions. Among the rules for unvaccinated players: They will not be able to eat in the same room with vaccinated teammates or staff, must have lockers as far away from vaccinated players as possible, and must stay masked and at least six feet away from all other attendees in any team meeting. (Reynolds, 9/28)
CBS News: LeBron James Says He Got The COVID Vaccine Despite Initial Skepticism: "I Felt Like It Was Best Suited For Not Only Me But My Family"
LeBron James on Tuesday said he received the COVID-19 vaccine despite his initial skepticism. The Los Angeles Lakers star spoke with reporters on the Lakers' annual media day for the upcoming season, saying he and his family got the vaccine after he did his own research. "I think everyone has they own choice — to do what they feel is right for themselves and their family and things of that nature," he said. "I know that I was very (skeptical) about it all but after doing my research. I felt like it was best suited for not only me but for my family and my friends." (Jones, 9/28)
Also —
Philadelphia Inquirer: During WWII, Getting The Flu Vaccine Was Patriotic. Some No Longer View Science That Way
The world had lurched into a dark and uncertain winter. Americans were dying by the thousands, and the rhythms of everyday life seemed to carry only mournful notes of loss and deprivation. Even mundane things, like a trip to the grocery store, were different. Shelves were increasingly bare, and shoppers discovered ordinary staples were no longer easy to come by. Air and train travel virtually ceased. Hints of normalcy could still be found across Philadelphia in February 1943. Department stores, like Lit Bros. and Strawbridge & Clothier, tried to lure customers through their Market Street doors for furniture sales. A hiking club planned to meet on a Friday night in North Philly and trek to Belmont Mansion in Fairmount Park. The University of Pennsylvania’s basketball team had a 13-game winning streak end with a thud against Cornell. (Gambacorta, 9/29)
