Aug 17 CDC director announces agency shake-up aimed at making responses faster and guidelines clearer By Mike Stobbe, Associated Press The head of the nation's top public health agency is shaking up the organization with the goal of making it more nimble. Continue reading
Aug 15 The COVID lessons the U.S. still needs to learn to tackle monkeypox By Laura Santhanam Exhausted public health workers and experts are "seeing a lot of Groundhog Day."… Continue reading
Jun 18 CDC recommends COVID vaccines for children under 5 By Mike Stobbe, Associated Press The head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the decision hours after an advisory panel voted unanimously that vaccines should be made available to children as young as 6 months. Continue reading
Apr 21 Judge’s reversal of the travel mask mandate underscores CDC’s limited power By Sam Whitehead, Julie Appleby, Kaiser Health News A recent court decision that overturns one of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s few pandemic rules — masks required on public transportation — spotlights how little power remains in the agency's hands. Continue reading
Apr 19 CDC launches new forecasting center for future pandemics By Carla K. Johnson, Associated Press A new U.S. government center aims to become the National Weather Service for infectious diseases. Continue reading
Apr 08 How this Medicaid extension throws postpartum parents a lifeline By Laura Santhanam Four out of 10 births in the U.S. are paid for by Medicaid. Starting this month, pregnant and postpartum people are eligible to receive coverage 12 months after delivery to expand access and improve health outcomes for new parents and… Continue reading
Dec 22 2021 likely to eclipse last year as nation’s deadliest, CDC says By Mike Stobbe, Associated Press It's too early to say for sure, but based on available information, it seems likely 2021 will surpass last year's record number of deaths by at least 15,000, according to the CDC. Continue reading
Sep 24 CDC studies show masks lessen school outbreaks By Associated Press One study in two Arizona counties found coronavirus outbreaks were almost four times more common at public schools without mask mandates on the first day than at those that re-opened with a masking requirement. Continue reading
Sep 23 CDC panel recommends extra dose of Pfizer vaccine for vulnerable groups By Lauran Neergaard, Mike Stobbe, Associated Press The U.S. vaccination drive against COVID-19 stands on the verge of a major new phase: Government advisers on Thursday recommended booster doses of Pfizer’s vaccine for millions of Americans. Continue reading
Sep 22 FDA backs Pfizer COVID-19 boosters for seniors, high-risk By Matthew Perrone, Lauran Neergaard, Mike Stobbe, Associated Press The FDA on Wednesday signed off on such shots as a way to shore up protection in those groups. This is not a done deal yet: The CDC has yet to weigh in on who it believes should get boosters… Continue reading