Vaccines

Supply Is Limited and Distribution Uncertain as COVID Vaccine Rolls Out

KFF Health News Original

Hospitals and nursing homes must decide who gets the initial doses as the U.S. heads into the biggest vaccination effort in history. There’s a lot left to figure out.

Farmworkers, Firefighters and Flight Attendants Jockey for Vaccine Priority

KFF Health News Original

Everyone — from toilet paper manufacturers to patient advocates — is lobbying state advisory boards, arguing their members are essential, vulnerable or both — and, thus, most deserving of an early vaccine.

KHN’s ‘What the Health?’: Vaccines Coming Soon but COVID Relief Bill Still Stalled

KFF Health News Original

Even as the Food and Drug Administration nears emergency authorization for the first vaccine to protect against COVID-19, Congress remains at loggerheads over a COVID relief bill that could also provide the funding to fully distribute the vaccines. Meanwhile, President-elect Joe Biden announced the first members of his health team. Joanne Kenen of Politico, Kimberly Leonard of Business Insider and Mary Ellen McIntire of CQ Roll Call join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Michael Mackert of the University of Texas-Austin, an expert on communicating public health information.

What Seniors Can Expect When COVID Vaccines Begin to Roll Out

KFF Health News Original

At least two vaccines could get federal emergency use authorizations this month. Nursing home and assisted living residents will be among the first to receive inoculations. Here’s a guide on how that rollout may proceed.

Qué deben esperar los adultos mayores de la vacuna contra COVID

KFF Health News Original

Adultos mayores en residencias y centros de vida asistida estarán entre los primeros en ser vacunados, siguiendo las recomendaciones de un panel asesor federal.

Demand for COVID Vaccines Expected to Get Heated — And Fast

KFF Health News Original

With two vaccines against coronavirus disease poised for release within weeks, experts say they expect attitudes to shift dramatically from hesitancy to “Beanie Baby”-level urgency.

KHN’s ‘What the Health?’: Who Will Run the Biden Health Effort?

KFF Health News Original

The official transition to a Joe Biden administration has finally begun, and he is expected to announce his health care team soon, including a new secretary of Health and Human Services. Meanwhile, as the COVID-19 pandemic worsens in the U.S., officials are preparing for the effort to get Americans vaccinated as soon as vaccines are approved by the FDA. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times and Paige Winfield Cunningham of The Washington Post join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KHN’s Julie Appleby, who wrote the latest KHN-NPR “Bill of the Month” installment.

Limpieza dental, gafas nuevas… y la vacuna contra COVID-19

KFF Health News Original

Con múltiples vacunas de COVID-19 en camino, optometristas y dentistas presionan para que se autorice vacunar a los pacientes durante los exámenes oculares de rutina y las limpiezas dentales.

Feds Look to Pharmacists to Boost Childhood Immunization Rates

KFF Health News Original

Fears over COVID-19 have contributed to a slump in inoculations among children. Now the federal government is looking to pharmacists for help, but many of them do not participate in a program that offers free shots to half the kids in the U.S.

How Pharma Money Colors Operation Warp Speed’s Quest to Defeat COVID

KFF Health News Original

A Trump administration maneuver allows executives who are leading the federal effort to keep investments in drug companies that would benefit from the pandemic response.

KHN’s ‘What the Health?’: Transition Interrupted

KFF Health News Original

Former Vice President Joe Biden is now the president-elect nearly everywhere but inside the Trump administration, where the president refuses to concede and has ordered officials not to begin a formal transition. That is a particular problem for health care as the COVID-19 pandemic surges. Meanwhile, there’s good news on the vaccine front, but it’s unlikely one will arrive by winter. And the ACA was back before the Supreme Court — again. Joanne Kenen of Politico, Stephanie Armour of The Wall Street Journal and Shefali Luthra of the 19th News join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Plus, for extra credit, the panelists recommend their favorite health stories of the week they think you should read, too.

Time to Discuss Potentially Unpleasant Side Effects of COVID Shots? Scientists Say Yes.

KFF Health News Original

From the likelihood of achy, flu-like side effects to the need for two doses, weeks apart, consumers need to know now what to expect when vaccines to prevent COVID-19 roll out.

Cinco preguntas críticas sobre la vacuna contra COVID-19 de Pfizer

KFF Health News Original

La farmacéutica anunció que en una muestra pequeña se comprobó que podría prevenir la infección en nueve de cada 10 casos. Pero se necesitan más respuestas.