Epidemics
Most nursing home residents haven’t had omicron booster ahead of expected winter Covid wave
Less than 50% of nursing home residents, one of the country’s most vulnerable populations to severe illness from Covid-19, have received an omicron booster ahead of an expected wave of infection this winter. The Biden administration has made increasing booster uptake among nursing home residents a central part of its strategy to prevent a major […]
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Growing obesity crisis in U.S. prompts CDC to expand body mass index charts for severely overweight kids
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday released new body mass index charts for children in response to the growing obesity crisis in the U.S. The previous BMI chart for children ages 2 to 19, published in 2000, is based on data from 1963 to 1980, but obesity and severe obesity in children […]
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Biden administration makes at-home Covid tests available for free again this winter
Take home COVID-19 self testing kits provided by the District of Columbia government, which provides city residents four free take home tests per day, are seen in this illustration taken January 11, 2022. Evelyn Hockstein | Reuters The Biden administration is making rapid Covid tests available for free again this winter through a limited round […]
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Omicron BQ, XBB subvariants are a serious threat to boosters and knock out antibody treatments, study finds
Evusheld injection, a new COVID treatment that people can take before becoming symptomatic, in Chicago on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022. Chris Sweda | Tribune News Service | Getty Images The omicron subvariants that have become dominant in recent months present a serious threat to the effectiveness of the new boosters, render antibody treatments ineffective and […]
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Long Covid has contributed to more than 3,500 deaths in the U.S. since start of pandemic, CDC says
People view thousands of white flags representing Americans who have died of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) placed over 20 acres of the National Mall in Washington, U.S., September 26, 2021. Joshua Roberts | Reuters Long Covid has contributed to the deaths of more than 3,500 people since the pandemic began, according to a report published […]
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Covid and flu hospitalizations are increasing as holidays approach, while RSV is retreating in some states
Healthcare workers treat a Covid-19 patient on the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) floor at Hartford Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut, U.S., on Monday, Jan. 31, 2022. Allison Dinner | Bloomberg | Getty Images Covid and flu hospitalizations are increasing after the Thanksgiving holiday, while respiratory syncytial virus appears to be retreating in some states. Hospitals this […]
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Children as young as 6 months old are now eligible for omicron Covid vaccines
Luca Moore, 11 months, receives a vaccine against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) while his mother Dr. Danielle Smith holds him at Northwell Health’s Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New Hyde Park, New York, U.S., June 22, 2022. Shannon Stapleton | Reuters The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday signed off on omicron vaccines […]
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Omicron subvariants that more easily dodge immunity are causing more than 70% of U.S. infections
People wait to take coronavirus disease (COVID-19) tests at a pop-up testing site in New York City, July 11, 2022. Brendan McDermid | Reuters The most immune evasive omicron subvariants yet are now causing more than 70% of new infections in the U.S., as millions of Americans prepare to travel and gather with family for […]
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Property to vote on repeal of Pentagon’s Covid vaccine mandate for U.S. troops
A United States Marine gets the Moderna coronavirus vaccine at Camp Foster on April 28, 2021 in Ginowan, Japan. Carl Court | Getty Photographs The Home of Representatives is established to vote Wednesday on a sweeping protection invoice that would repeal the Pentagon’s Covid-19 vaccine mandate for U.S. troops. The amendment to do away with […]
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FDA expected to decide on Pfizer RSV vaccine for older adults by May 2023
The Food and Drug Administration is expected to decide by spring whether to approve Pfizer’s vaccine to prevent respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, in adults ages 60 and older. Pfizer, in a statement Wednesday, said the FDA has accepted its RSV vaccine candidate for review under an expedited process that reduces the approval process by […]
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