U.K. OKs Merck’s COVID Pill; Moderna Protection Wanes Too; APA Apologizes for Racism
Note that some links may require registration or subscription. The U.K.’s drug regulator cleared Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics antiviral oral drug for COVID-19, the first nation to do so. (CNBC) Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine was more effective at preventing Delta variant infections among clinical trial participants vaccinated more recently, pointing to waning protection. (New England Journal […]
Texas Abortion Law Blocked; WHO Backs Wide Use of Malaria Vax; New FDA Chief Coming?
Note that some links may require registration or subscription. A federal judge ordered Texas to temporarily suspend its 6-week abortion ban. (AP) The World Health Organization recommended widespread use of GlaxoSmithKline’s RTS,S malaria vaccine for kids in sub-Saharan Africa and other regions with moderate to high rates of transmission. Pfizer finished submitting its application to […]
COVID Ravages Alaska; Newsom Signs STD Testing Bill; Encephalitis in Connecticut
Note that some links may require registration or subscription. COVID is pushing Alaska’s healthcare system to its limit. (AP) As of Wednesday at 8:00 a.m. EDT, the unofficial U.S. COVID-19 toll reached 43,952,129 cases and 705,374 deaths, up 98,915 cases and 1,972 deaths since this time yesterday. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed a bill […]
EU Backs Booster for All Adults; More OTC COVID Tests; A ‘Pacemaker for the Brain’
Note that some links may require registration or subscription. The EU’s top drug regulator approved a booster for Pfizer/BioNTech’s COVID vaccine for individuals ages 18 and up. (AP) In the U.S., the FDA authorized another over-the-counter COVID-19 antigen test, ACON Laboratories’ Flowflex COVID-19 Home Test, which is expected to double rapid at-home testing capacity. As […]
YouTube Bans Anti-Vaxxers; UV Disinfection Danger; Beijing’s Olympics Rules
Note that some links may require registration or subscription. Anti-vaccine videos will no longer have a home on YouTube. (Washington Post) EHR data suggested that long COVID affected one in three people who had been infected, and lingering symptoms varied across age and sex. (CNN) As of Thursday at 8:00 a.m. EDT, the unofficial U.S. […]
Alaska Starts Rationing Care; Remdesivir for Outpatients? New GVHD Drug OK’d
Note that some links may require registration or subscription. With Alaska hospitals crippled by the overwhelming number of COVID patients, the state has adopted crisis standards of care, Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R) announced on Wednesday. (Reuters) Gilead said a 3-day intravenous course of its antiviral drug remdesivir (Veklury) reduced the risk of hospitalization or death […]
Disinfo Doc’s License Renewed; COVID Up in U.K. Kids; AI OK’d for Prostate Cancer Dx
Note that some links may require registration or subscription. The Ohio Medical Board has renewed the medical license of Sherri Tenpenny, DO, a physician who erroneously claims that the COVID vaccine makes people magnetic. (USA Today) George Holliday, who filmed Rodney King being beaten by Los Angeles police officers during a 1991 traffic stop, has […]
2 J&J Shots Better Than 1; Texas Abortion Doc Sued; Could iPhones Spot Depression?
Note that some links may require registration or subscription. Johnson & Johnson said a booster shot of its COVID-19 vaccine given 2 months after the first dose improved efficacy against symptomatic illness to 94%. In November, the Biden administration will lift restrictions on international travelers from 33 countries who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. (New […]
Doc Groups Seek to Reinstate Ban on Step Therapy in Medicare Advantage
WASHINGTON — Are Medicare Advantage (MA) plans allowed to require patients to go through “step therapy” to get a medication or treatment they need? Yes — for now — but physician groups are trying to change that. “On August 7, 2018, CMS (the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) issued a memo to MA plans […]
No Uptick in Vaccine Uptake; Unreported COVID Deaths; France Bans Unvaxxed Americans
Note that some links may require registration or subscription. The FDA’s approval of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID vaccine has yet to produce an expected uptick in vaccine uptake. (Business Insider) Four researchers whose work provided the basis for development of the first approved COVID-19 vaccine, along with a pioneer in the study of neurodegenerative diseases, are […]