The omicron “sister variants” BA.4 and BA.5 now account for more than 90 percent of confirmed cases in the U.S., according to the CDC’s latest variant proportion estimates.
Category: Public Health
Access to monkeypox vaccines, prescriptions lags as cases near 2,000: 4 updates
Some states are relying on their own strategies to ration monkeypox vaccines as confirmed U.S. cases near 2,000.
In Some States, Voters Will Get to Decide the Future of Abortion Rights
Measures to enshrine the right to abortion in the state constitution will be on the ballot in California and Vermont this fall. Abortion-rights advocates in Michigan are hoping their state will follow suit.
Fighting Monkeypox, Sexual Health Clinics Are Underfunded and Ill-Equipped
Sexual health clinics are scrambling to properly track, test, and treat hundreds of monkeypox patients. So far, it isn’t going well.
COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness waned as omicron mutated, CDC finds
COVID-19 vaccines were more effective during the winter omicron surge, when BA.1 accounted for most cases, than they were this spring, when BA.2/BA.2.12.1 prevailed, according to a CDC study.
Don’t wait for an omicron-tailored booster, experts warn
With omicron-specific vaccines expected this fall, many eligible people who aren’t up to date with their boosters are debating whether to get them now or hold off until the updated shots are available, CBS News reported July 16.
My journey being gaslighted about obesity, skinny fat, and body type
When I was eight years old, I was a star soccer player on a state championship team. During shirts-off practice and while down at the local pool, I noticed how different my body was compared to my peers. After I referenced my scientifically approved hu…
COVID-19 admissions to rise through July + 2 more forecasts
For the first time since late May, the CDC is predicting that COVID-19 admissions will increase nationwide, according to the agency’s ensemble forecast from 16 modeling groups.
HHS renews COVID-19 public health emergency
HHS extended the COVID-19 public health emergency July 15.
Boost Now or Wait? Many Wonder How Best to Ride Out Covid’s Next Wave
As the country faces a rise in new infections driven by the omicron BA.5 subvariant of the coronavirus, about 70% of people 50 and older who got a first covid-19 booster shot haven’t received the recommended second one, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many undervaccinated Americans have lost interest, and others aren’t sure whether to get boosted again now or wait for vaccines reformulated to target newer strains of the virus.
