Latest KFF Health News Stories
Covid And Vaccines Shift Nursing Moms’ Timetables
New research finds that live virus does not transmit to a baby through breast milk. Separately, some mothers are extending the time they nurse their kids in hopes of passing along some protection gained from the covid vaccine.
Pfizer May Soon Get Approval For Shots For The Under-5s, Fauci Says
Dr. Anthony Fauci said the FDA may make the approval decision in the next month. Meanwhile, a mistake by health care provider Kaiser Permanente in California may have seen 4,000 people get slightly lower-dose covid shots than recommended. Affected people are being alerted.
Over Two Dozen Generics-Makers Sign Deal To Produce Merck’s Covid Pill
Drugmakers across the world have signed a pact to manufacture and supply Merck’s covid pill to more than 100 lower-income countries. Meanwhile, there’s promising news about antiviral drug remdesivir’s impact on the need to ventilate covid patients, and an old drug, fluvoxamine, may be useful.
As Louisiana Struggles With Omicron, New Orleans Gears Up For Mardi Gras
New Orleans was a covid hot spot in March 2020, and the outbreak was attributed to Mardi Gras celebrations weeks earlier. Parades and large gatherings have been canceled or postponed in some form since then. This year, anyone participating will have to abide by strict regulations to reduce the spread of new cases, The American South reported.
Covid Testing Companies Sued Over Alleged ‘False Or Inaccurate Results’
As NBC News reports, Chicago-based company Center for Covid Control is already under investigation by multiple states and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. On Wednesday, Minnesota filed a lawsuit against that company as well as another firm, Doctors Clinical Laboratory.
From Case Counts To Wastewater, Signs Show Omicron Declining In Many Spots
From the imperfect tools we have to measure covid infections, there is good news that indicates the the omicron variant may have peaked in many communities across the nation. News outlets report on where that’s the case.
Hospitals Need Intensive Care In Face Of Turnover, Burnout And Sick Workers
Hospitals are where patients go in an emergency. But with critical staffing shortages at a time when admissions are surging, it’s health care providers and facilities around the country that are in crisis and in need of solutions.
With Legal Challenges Exhausted, How Many Health Workers Remain Unvaccinated?
A final legal block to the federal requirement was just lifted in Texas, meaning most health workers in all states must now get vaccinated against covid. Yet, just weeks before the rule takes effect, it’s still unclear how many are holding out — making it difficult for hospitals to prepare for potential staffing crunches.
Biden Stands By White House Covid Response, Says Pandemic ‘Will Get Better’
Touching on a host of health care issues during his two-hour press conference, President Joe Biden defended shifting guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention saying, “the messages, to the extent they’ve been confusing — it’s because the scientists, they’re learning more.” He also acknowledged his social spending plan would likely have to be carved up into pieces to pass Congress.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers delve into these various public health issues.
Opinion writers examine these covid and vaccine topics.
Perspectives: Entire Health Care System Shouldering The Burden Of Ivermectin
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Puerto Rico Suffered Lingering Health Effects From 2017 Hurricane
Higher rates of obesity, high cholesterol and more were identified as long-term health impacts in survivors of 2017’s Hurricane Maria. In other news, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention added 22 international destinations to its “very high” covid risk list, including Israel and Australia.
Health Care Promises May Bite Back In Midterm Elections, Democrat Warns
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
West Virginia Moves Toward Banning Abortions After 15 Weeks
The proposal introduced by lawmakers is reportedly “nearly identical” to a law currently under review in Mississippi. Also: Maine’s plans to fix its insurance exchange; mental health excuses for student absences in Kentucky; suspension of a Florida health official for trying to compel vaccines; and more.
Snapchat Tries To Limit Kids Buying Drugs Through Its App
News outlets cover moves by social media app Snapchat to limit kids’ access to drug deals on its service, including making it more difficult to target users under 18 by changing its “Quick Add” system. In other news, airlines are stepping up safety and aircraft cleaning to combat covid.
Patient Groups Try Calling Medicare Officials Villains Over Aduhelm Ruling
Politico covers aggressive pushback from drugmakers and patient advocacy groups over the recent decision to strongly limit Medicare coverage of Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm. Meanwhile, Axios says six big health insurers dominate the fast-growing Medicare Advantage market.
Healthy Kids Don’t Need Booster Shots, WHO Asserts
In the face of global vaccine inequality, the World Health Organization says that there is “no evidence” that healthy children and adolescents need booster shots. Meanwhile, a German study says three Pfizer shots may protect people against the omicron variant of covid.
Illegal Supply Network Accused Of Selling Fake Gilead HIV Drugs
Meanwhile, Stat reports that low-cost biosimilar drug provision in the U.S. is being stymied by a “thicket” of patents. Other drug company news includes Bristol Myers Squibb plans, a $3 billion biotech fund aimed at disease “reversal,” and big data’s failure to combat covid.
