Dec 22 COVID helped cause the biggest drop in U.S. life expectancy since WWII By Laura Santhanam Changes in U.S. life expectancy normally move at a more glacial pace – at incremental tenths of a year. But the coronavirus pandemic has upset that steady trend. Continue reading
Dec 21 Watch 8:10 Dr. Walensky on the omicron variant, testing, vaccines and mask rules President Joe Biden is out with new plans and new appeals to control the spread of COVID-19. He spelled them out Tuesday as the new omicron variant sweeps largely unchecked across the country. Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers… Continue watching
Dec 16 CDC panel recommends Pfizer, Moderna vaccines over Johnson & Johnson shot due to blood clot risk By Lauran Neergaard, Mike Stobbe, Associated Press Thursday's recommendation came after government advisers reviewed new safety data about rare but potentially life-threatening blood clots linked to J&J's shot. Continue reading
Dec 16 WATCH: CDC panel examines J&J COVID-19 vaccine blood clot data, safety data for kids age 5-11 By Lauran Neergaard, Mike Stobbe, Associated Press A government advisory panel is meeting Thursday to determine if any restrictions are needed for the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine because of rare but serious blood clots. Continue reading
Dec 09 FDA expands Pfizer COVID booster, opens extra dose to age 16 By Lauren Neergaard and Matthew Perrone, Associated Press The U.S. and many other nations already urge adults to get a booster to pump up their immunity months after initial vaccination. Continue reading
Nov 29 CDC recommends COVID boosters for all adults as omicron variant spreads By Jamey Keaten, Raf Casert, Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, reacted to the potential threat by urging everyone 18 and older to get booster shots, because “strong immunity will likely prevent serious illness."… Continue reading
Nov 19 WATCH: CDC advisory panel votes approves COVID-19 booster shots for all adults By Lauran Neergaard, Matthew Perrone, Associated Press An influential U.S. advisory panel will discuss expanding eligibility for COVID-19 vaccine booster shots to all adults Friday, a move that could make the shots available as early as this weekend. Continue reading
Nov 02 CDC advisers endorse COVID shot for kids 5-11 By Lauran Neergaard, Mike Stobbe, Associated Press If the CDC’s director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, signs off as expected, it will mark the first opportunity for Americans under 12 to get the powerful protection of any COVID-19 vaccine. Continue reading
Nov 02 WATCH: CDC advisory panel endorse Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for kids ages 5 to 11 By Lauran Neergaard, Mike Stobbe, Associated Press The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory panel will have a discussion and vote Tuesday on the use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children between the ages of five to 11. Continue reading
Oct 28 U.S. introduces more stringent standards for lead poisoning in children By Mike Stobbe, Associated Press U.S. health officials are changing their definition of lead poisoning in young children. The more stringent standard was announced Thursday. Continue reading