Category: Vaccines

In Austin, Some Try to Address Vaccine Inequity, but a Broad Plan Is Elusive

The east side of Austin has few of the chain stores key to the Texas vaccination plan. But local officials have done pop-up vaccination events in the community to get more shots to Blacks and Latinos.

In Philadelphia, a Scandal Erupts Over Vaccination Startup Led by 22-Year-Old

City officials gave coronavirus vaccines to Philly Fighting Covid, whose brash CEO had no health care experience. After a WHYY investigation, the city cut ties with the group over alleged mismanagement.

With Demand Far Exceeding Supply, It Matters That People Are Jumping the Vaccine Line

When hospital administrators and politicians’ spouses get immunized before people more at risk, it undermines confidence in the system.

Head-Scratching Over Newsom’s Choice of Blue Shield to Lead Vaccination Push

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s surprising choice of Blue Shield to lead the state’s covid vaccination effort raised questions about the role politics played in the decision — and whether the insurer is up to the task.

When Your Chance for a Covid Shot Comes, Don’t Worry About the Numbers

Late-stage trial results for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine showed it was 66% effective overall in preventing moderate to severe covid illness, while the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines were more than 90% effective. But the numbers aren’t exactly comparable. And all three shots prevent hospitalization and death.

How a Bounty of Vaccines Flooded a Small Hospital and Its Nearby College

An ad hoc, chaotic distribution system is leading to a bizarre mix of vaccine haves and have-nots.

Older Adults Without Family or Friends Lag in Race to Get Vaccines

Public health officials have singled out seniors as key candidates for the covid-19 vaccines but too many of these seniors are not able to get shots because they don’t use computers, don’t have internet services or transportation, or don’t have someone to help them with the process.

Vaccination Chaos Fuels Push to Recall Newsom

The growing public backlash over California’s messy vaccine rollout is putting immense pressure on Gov. Gavin Newsom, a first-term Democrat facing a Republican-driven recall effort.

As Vaccine Rollout Expands, Black Americans Still Left Behind

Covid vaccines are reaching more Americans, but Black residents are being vaccinated at dramatically lower rates in the 23 states where data is publicly available. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention plans to release national data next week.

KHN’s ‘What the Health?’: The Long Road to Unwinding Trump Health Policies

President Joe Biden signed a pair of health-related executive orders this week that would, among other things, reopen enrollment under the Affordable Care Act and start to reverse former President Donald Trump’s anti-abortion policies. Meanwhile, Congress remains bogged down with taking up the next round of covid-19 relief. Joanne Kenen of Politico, Mary Ellen McIntire of CQ Roll Call and Shefali Luthra of The 19th join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists recommend their favorite health policy stories of the week they think you should read, too.