Antibodies able to block the omicron coronavirus variant last four months after a third dose of Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine, according to a study published Jan. 22 by bioRxiv.
Category: Public Health
Pharmacies Are Turning Away Immunocompromised Patients Seeking 4th Covid Shot
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention quietly changed its guidance to allow an extra shot in certain cases, but some pharmacy personnel are confused about who is eligible.
With a Vaccine Mandate Looming, Nursing Homes Face More Staffing Problems
Missouri has the worst covid-19 vaccination rate for nursing home health care workers in the nation. There, the federal mandate for workers to get vaccinated — upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court — reveals the problems that operators have hiring staff, keeping them, and providing decent care.
CDC shifts COVID-19 messaging focus from ‘fully vaccinated’ to ‘up to date’
Rather than altering the definition of “fully vaccinated,” the CDC is emphasizing the importance of staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccination schedules.
Omicron will peak in most states by mid-February + 5 more forecasts
Most states will likely see omicron cases peak by mid-February, Anthony Fauci, MD, said during a Jan. 23 interview on ABC’s “This Week.”
Why Medicare Doesn’t Pay for Rapid At-Home Covid Tests
The laws governing Medicare don’t provide coverage for self-administered diagnostic tests, which is precisely what the rapid antigen tests are and why they are an important tool for containing the pandemic.
Vaccine Wars Ignite in California as Lawmakers Seek Stronger Laws
Anti-vaccination activists say California’s Democratic lawmakers are helping strengthen their movement nationally by pushing for tougher vaccine requirements — without exemptions for religious or personal beliefs. But a new pro-vaccine lobbying force is vowing to fight back.
Eating disorders thrive in secrecy, so let’s talk about it. Starting with BMI.
Thank you, Dr. Kara Pepper, for your recent article “Why you should not use BMI for your New Year’s resolution.” Our weight-obsessed, BMI-focused culture has been a thorn in my side for much of my life. And since eating disorders thrive in secrecy, let…
COVID-19 vaccine & booster effectiveness against omicron: 12 CDC findings
Two separate studies published by the CDC Jan. 21 explored vaccine and booster dose effectiveness against the periods in which delta and omicron were emerging and predominant.
US COVID-19 cases down 5% this week: 11 CDC findings
The U.S. saw a marginal decrease in new COVID-19 cases and deaths this week, while hospitalizations figures ticked up slightly, according to the CDC’s COVID data tracker weekly review published Jan. 21.
