Vaccines

Ya te has vacunado contra covid. ¿Y ahora qué?

KFF Health News Original

Más y más personas se vacunan cada día, justo cuando comienza la primavera. Pero, ¿están totalmente protegidos? Todavía hay preguntas por contestar y reglas que cumplir.

Some Dream — Others Scheme — To Find a Vaccine Before Spring Break

KFF Health News Original

It’s the second spring break of the pandemic, and rumors abound about people exploiting loopholes to get vaccinated in order to party. But some students who’ve been immunized were eligible because of where they work or underlying health conditions.

In America, Covid Vaccine Eligibility Is a ‘Crazy Quilt’ of State Rules

KFF Health News Original

Across the country, a mishmash of rules to qualify for a precious covid shot is creating nightmares for consumers. Criteria including age, occupation and medical conditions vary dramatically.

So You’re Vaccinated Against Covid. Now What?

KFF Health News Original

The vaccination rollout has been unsteady, but the vaccines seem very effective, raising hopes that the pandemic will subside by later this year if enough Americans get their shots. Meanwhile, remain cautious.

El caso de la donación de vacunas contra covid estadounidenses al extranjero

KFF Health News Original

Expertos felicitan las acciones de la administración Biden con las vacunas de covid, pero creen que en los próximos meses debería haber un enfoque global para que el mundo esté innmunizado.

Blue Shield Spent Years Cultivating a Relationship with Newsom. It Got the State Vaccine Contract.

KFF Health News Original

Insurance giant Blue Shield of California has made millions in charitable and political donations to Gov. Gavin Newsom over nearly two decades, largely to his dearly held homeless initiatives. In turn, Newsom has rewarded the insurer with a $15 million no-bid contract to lead the state’s covid vaccination distribution.

The Case for Donating US Covid Vaccines Overseas

KFF Health News Original

For now, there’s not enough vaccine for the U.S., but that could change within a few months. Vaccinating other nations will be key to stopping the pandemic – and keeping it away from our shores.

KHN’s ‘What the Health?’: ACA Packs More Benefits — And More Confusion

KFF Health News Original

The covid relief bill signed by President Joe Biden includes a long list of new health benefits for consumers. But many eligible people may have difficulty taking advantage of them because of the interaction with the income tax system and a lack of expert guidance. Meanwhile, Democrats are debating internally about what should come next on the health agenda. Joanne Kenen of Politico, Mary Ellen McIntire of CQ Roll Call and Rachana Pradhan of KHN join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more.

Centro de vacunación “gigante” ofrece alivio a trabajadores de la alimentación

KFF Health News Original

El área de Long Beach, que tiene su propio departamento de salud, abrió un mega sitio de vacunación contra covid enfocado en un grupo vulnerable: los trabajadores de la industria de alimentación.

Landmark Covid Relief Law Pumps More Than $100 Billion Into Public Health

KFF Health News Original

The law provides money to enhance coronavirus testing and contact tracing, support federal efforts on vaccine distribution and hire more public health workers. But advocates worry support will wane when the pandemic is over.

‘Super-Sized’ Vaccine Clinic Offers Food Workers Some Relief

KFF Health News Original

Long Beach, which has its own health department, kicked off a vaccination campaign for essential workers by inviting 3,000 food workers to a splashy vaccination event at the city’s convention center.

Covid Cases Plummet 83% Among Nursing Home Staffers Despite Vaccine Hesitancy

KFF Health News Original

Federal records show a steep decline in staff covid cases since December, when health care workers at thousands of nursing homes began getting their shots. Still, many are reluctant to get vaccinated.

‘Explained by KHN’: Consumer Concerns About the Covid Vaccines

KFF Health News Original

Our newsroom has some of the best and smartest health care and health policy reporters in the business. We’ve created a new video series — “Explained by KHN” — in which our correspondents and editors answer common health care and policy questions. In this edition we cover consumer concerns over the covid-19 vaccines.

To Extract More Doses per Vial, Vaccinators Put Squeeze on FDA to Relax Vaccine Handling Advice

KFF Health News Original

Although vaccine supply is ramping up, the supply gap puts pressure on vaccinating teams to extract every drop they can. Some are asking the FDA to waive guidance against extracting vaccine from two vials with the same needle. It’s worth a shot.

KHN’s ‘What the Health?’: Expanding the ACA in an Unpredicted Way

KFF Health News Original

Beyond the billions of dollars aimed squarely at the pandemic, the covid relief bill cleared by Congress this week includes significant changes to health policy. Among them are the first major expansions to the Affordable Care Act since its enactment 11 years ago and changes that could expand coverage for the Medicaid program. Tami Luhby of CNN, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico and Rachel Cohrs of Stat join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Plus, for extra credit, the panelists recommend their favorite health policy stories of the week they think you should read, too.

Meet the Retired Nurse Who Could Give Covid Shots But Couldn’t Get One

KFF Health News Original

She followed up on every possible avenue that would allow her to register for a vaccination appointment. Ultimately, it took a 40-minute drive and someone else’s cancellation to make it happen.

Vaccine Altruists Find Appointments for Those Who Can’t

KFF Health News Original

An army of volunteers help people who otherwise would have had difficulty securing a covid vaccination because of cumbersome computer or telephone registration systems.