 Health Care |
Health Care |
|
|
Will preparations for the upcoming viral season pay off? |
As respiratory infection season approaches, updated COVID-19 vaccines and new respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) preventatives are expected — adding another layer of defense. |
The country may be better prepared to take on the respiratory viral season — when diseases like the flu, COVID-19 and RSV typically surge. But the rollout of these new treatments will test how effectively vaccinations can be used in the post-pandemic era. Both the updated COVID-19 vaccines and the RSV preventive antibody for infants are expected to become available some time in September. While the RSV antibody has been approved, authorization for the COVID-19 shots is still pending. There are two RSV vaccines for older people, though the shots are only recommended for people at high risk, after talking with their doctors. The new vaccines from Pfizer and GlaxoSmithKline are both available in major pharmacies ahead of RSV season. While new products are making their way onto the market, a few key obstacles stand in the way. First is the timing. Respiratory viral season begins around September, and it will be a rush to get immunizations administered before any potential surges. Some experts have even argued that the COVID-19 and RSV shots should be made available sooner, though they'll likely be available around the same time and officials have indicated those eligible could get a COVID, RSV and flu shot all at once. Second, vaccine enthusiasm, particularly against SARS-CoV-2, has continued to dwindle — and it's unclear if people will get the new shots. While federal action is being taken to ensure that anyone who wants a vaccine can get it, those efforts could be for nothing if no one shows up. |
Welcome to The Hill's Health Care newsletter, we're Nathaniel Weixel and Joseph Choi — every week we follow the latest moves on how Washington impacts your health. |
|
|
How policy will be impacting the health care sector this week and beyond: |
|
|
People infected with even mild cases of COVID-19 remain at heightened risk for heart problems, blood clots, diabetes, neurologic complications and other health problems for up to two years, according to a new study. There have been studies examining the symptoms that have become known as “long COVID,” but the analysis published Monday in the journal Nature Medicine purports to be the first to track the risks of … |
| |
| A federal judge has temporarily blocked part of a Georgia law that bans gender-affirming care for transgender minors. In a ruling late Sunday, Judge Sarah E. Geraghty in the Northern District of Georgia said the state’s law banning hormone therapy “is substantially likely to violate the Equal Protection Clause.” Geraghty said the plaintiffs, four anonymous transgender children and their parents, showed a likelihood … |
| |
| A record number of U.S. children were killed by firearms in 2021, new research has found. A study published in the American Academy of Pediatrics reported Monday that gun deaths among children rose again in 2021 to a total of 4,752, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That figure surpassed the previous high set in 2020. "US pediatric firearm deaths increased in 2021, above the spike … |
| |
|
Branch out with a different read: |
|
|
Alabama can enforce ban on puberty blockers and hormones for transgender children, court says |
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A federal appeals court ruled Monday that Alabama can enforce a ban outlawing the use of puberty blockers and hormones to treat transgender children, the second such appellate victory for gender-affirming care restrictions that have been adopted by a growing number of Republican-led states. A three-judge panel of … |
|
|
Local and state headlines on health care: |
- Tribal health workers aren't paid like their peers. See why Nevada changed that. (KFF Health News)
- Student loan repayments awarded to thousands of Massachusetts health care workers (CBS News)
- Yet another group 'protecting' Ohioans springs up to oppose recreational marijuana measure (Ohio Capital Journal)
|
|
|
Health news we've flagged from other outlets: |
- The 19th Explains: What are 'late-term abortions' — and why are politicians talking about them? (The 19th News)
- Kellogg's is going to war over Mexico's nutrition label rules. A similar fight is coming to the U.S. (Stat)
- Families, states chart path forward on paid caregiving (Roll Call)
|
|
|
Most read stories on The Hill right now: |
|
|
VILNIUS, Lithuania — The Biden administration is urging U.S. citizens in Belarus to depart the country immediately and warned against travel there … Read more |
| Senate Republicans’ string of major recruiting wins could soon be coming to an end as the party prepares for less-than-welcome entries in two … Read more |
|
|
You're all caught up. See you tomorrow! |
1625 K Street NW, 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20006 |
Copyright © 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. |
|
|
|
If you believe this has been sent to you in error, please safely unsubscribe.
No comments:
Post a Comment