Latest KFF Health News Stories
More Companies Tighten Vaccine Rules
GM will require its salaried workers to disclose their vaccination status; the NFL is seriously weighing a vaccine mandate for players; more hospitals say yes to mandates; most Green Card applicants must show proof of vaccination; and more.
Institute For Clinical And Economic Review To Investigate Covid Therapies
The ICER will examine efficacy of Regeneron’s casirivimab and imdevimab, GSK’s monoclonal antibody treatment sotrovimab and other drugs. Meanwhile, WMFE reports on how Florida’s monoclonal antibody treatment sites aren’t being used to their full capacity.
Had Covid? You May Be More Delta-Proof Than If You’d Had Pfizer’s Jab
The largest real-world analysis of “natural” immunity shows a previous covid infection may protect more against the delta strain than the two-dose Pfizer vaccine. Separately, data show blood clot risks from covid outweigh clotting risks from vaccines.
Supreme Court Lifts CDC Eviction Ban
A 6-3 majority of Supreme Court justices blocked the latest eviction mortarium from the Biden administration, saying in an unsigned opinion that it is up to Congress, not the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to extend such a federal ban.
First Toilet Paper, Now Covid Tests: CVS Limits Sales Of At-Home Kits
Abbott Laboratories, which ramped down its production of its BinaxNOW test earlier this summer, said supplies will be limited in the next few weeks as it hires workers and reboots factory lines.
If They Can Spell ‘Quarantine’ Or Not, 90K Students Have Had To So Far
The academic year is only weeks old for 19 states but so far thousands of kids have already missed some school to isolate or quarantine due to covid infections or exposure. Yet, school districts in different regions are taking vastly different approaches to protective measures. Meanwhile, pediatricians are under pressure from some parents to administer off-label vaccinations to their children.
Oregon And Hawaii Grasp At Strict Measures To Stem Covid Case Floods
Oregon hospitals are in crisis with an overwhelming number of patients. State leaders have deployed the National Guard and crisis teams to try to help while doctors report dire conditions: “We have patients waiting to get onto life support.” Surging covid cases in Hawaii also prompted its governor to plead with tourists to stay home.
As Covid Deaths Rise, Experts Forecast 100K More Americans Lost If We Aren’t More Careful
While there are some signs that the pace of delta-driven infections may be slowing in the U.S., health experts urge Americans to mask, maintain physical distance and get vaccinated to cut projected covid deaths in half for the rest of this year. Disappearing case data and regional outbreaks are also in the news.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations. Note to readers: KHN’s First Edition will not be published Aug. 30 through Sept. 6. Look for it again in your inbox on Tuesday, Sept. 7.
Viewpoints: How Did Aduhelm Get FDA Approval?; Will The Supreme Court Uphold Abortion Rights?
Editorial writers tackle Aduhelm approval, abortion rights and more public health issues.
Perspectives: Will China Require Vaccine For Winter Olympics?; Children’s Hospitals Are Strained
Opinion writers delve into these covid and vaccine issues.
Research Roundup: Covid; Pregnancy; Migraines; Mosquitoes
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Biden’s Plan To Help Vaccinate The World Criticized For Underdelivery
The New York Times reports on a number of criticisms that the plan to be the world’s “arsenal” for covid shots is facing, including spending only 1% of the money set aside to ramp up production. Meanwhile, Japan struggles with contaminated Moderna shots and over-full hospitals.
Lake Tahoe, Reno Suffering Worst Air Quality Levels From Wildfires
Air quality in Nevada is the worst on record and the Reno area is reported to be “thick with brown smoke” — as is air near Lake Tahoe. In other public health news, a law preventing shackling of pregnant people in North Carolina’s jails advances and three members of Maryland’s governor’s team are covid positive.
Flu Shot Makers Readying Supplies For Predicted Record-Matching Season
Last year a record 194 million flu shots were delivered to the U.S. from manufacturers like Sanofi and GSK, and FiercePharma reports that the drugmakers are anticipating similar levels this year as delta covid continues to be a problem. Supplies are not expected to be a problem, the makers say.
Biden Signs ‘PAWS’ Bill For Service Dogs For Veteran Therapy
The Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers for Veterans Therapy Act, signed Wednesday, is a pilot program to help veterans dealing with PTSD. Facial recognition, Trump’s mental health, nicotine use, salmonella outbreaks and pregnancy risks for Black women are also in the news.
Meditation, Mental Health Tech Firms Headspace And Ginger To Merge
The resulting $3 billion company will be called Headspace Health. Meanwhile, Intermountain Healthcare will boost its minimum wage for clinical and nonclinical workers to $15. HCA Healthcare in Nashville, Florida Blue and the overuse of arbitration in surprise billing are also in the news.
Unclassified Report Of US Covid Origins Probe Expected To Be Released
President Joe Biden was briefed yesterday by intelligence officials on the 90-day review he had ordered. Before anything has even been released to the public, China criticized the investigation as “propaganda.” Meanwhile, a group of scientists warn that time is running out to get the necessary data to truly pinpoint the source of the coronavirus that sparked the global pandemic.
Poison Control Centers Report Spike In Calls Over Cattle Drug Ivermectin
USA Today reports on rising call numbers for poison control centers across the U.S. Misuse of ivermectin, typically a cattle anti-parasitic, as a covid treatment is to blame. Meanwhile, a jail in Arkansas is treating patients with the drug and an Alaskan borough mayor is also promoting it.
School Outbreaks Test Back-To-School Covid Protocols
Grade schools and universities are not the only ones reporting crowd-driven spikes: Unsurprisingly, South Dakota covid cases are up 5-fold after the Sturgis motorcycle rally. And the Los Angeles Police Department is wrestling an outbreak.
