 Health Care |
Health Care |
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Updated COVID-19 shots clear final hurdle |
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) signed off on the updated COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna on Tuesday, officially making them available for the public after months of anticipation.
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"We have more tools than ever to prevent the worst outcomes from COVID-19," CDC Director Mandy Cohen said in a statement. "CDC is now recommending updated COVID-19 vaccination for everyone 6 months and older to better protect you and your loved ones," Cohen added.
What to know: - The agency expects the shots to be available starting later this week.
- The shots are anticipated to be covered for most people with health insurance.
- For uninsured individuals, the Biden administration Bridge Access Program should provide free vaccines through participating health centers and health departments.
- Children eligible for the federal Vaccines for Children program should also be able to receive a free COVID-19 vaccine.
This final signoff came shortly after the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted nearly unanimously in favor of recommending the shots. For people aged 5 years and older, the vaccine will be administered in a single dose. For those between the ages of 6 months and 4 years, Pfizer's vaccine will be administered in three doses and Moderna's will be administered in two.
While nearly all people have protective antibodies against COVID-19 either from prior infection or vaccination, it has been at least a year or more since the last time most got immunized against the virus.
Less than 20 percent of the U.S. received the bivalent booster that became available last year, and many never completed their initial two-dose vaccine schedule.
President Biden in a statement Tuesday evening urged Americans to get the updated vaccine. "Vaccination against COVID-19 remains the most important protection in avoiding hospitalization, long-term health complications, and death. I encourage all Americans to stay up-to-date on their vaccines," he said. |
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. |
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How policy will be impacting the health care sector this week and beyond: |
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A Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory committee unanimously voted Tuesday that current scientific data does not support the use of the active ingredient in over-the-counter products like Sudafed and Benadryl for decongestion. The FDA’s Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee was asked to vote on the question of whether evidence supported the oral use of phenylephrine as an effective nasal decongestant. As an … |
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| A key abortion-rights group filed legal complaints in Tennessee, Idaho and Oklahoma on behalf of women denied medically necessary abortion care despite facing severe pregnancy complications. The lawsuits filed Tuesday by the Center for Reproductive Rights are not challenging the states’ abortion bans, but instead are aimed at clarifying the "medical emergency" exceptions to protect the health or life of the mother. The … |
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The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) estimated that the amount of unemployment insurance (UI) fraud during the pandemic is likely between $100 billion and $135 billion, according to a report released Tuesday. The GAO report tracked the approximately $900 billion in UI expenditures from April 1, 2020, to May 31, 2023, which marked the official end of the public health emergency. The estimated fraud would account … |
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Public health preparedness is how we protect American lives. |
From new viruses to the risk of chemical or biological attacks, public health threats can emerge anywhere. At any time. Now is the time to protect us all against things we hope never happen — just in case they ever do. Learn more. |
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Upcoming news themes and events we're watching: |
- The Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic will hold a hearing Thursday to look into doctor-patient relationships during times of crisis, such as future pandemics.
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Branch out with a different read from The Hill: |
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Missouri clinics halt transgender care for minors in wake of new state law |
ST. LOUIS (AP) — At least two Missouri health care centers have stopped prescribing puberty blockers and hormones to minors for the purpose of gender transition, citing a new state law that one clinic says "creates unsustainable liability" for health care workers. Washington University Transgender Center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital … | |
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Local and state headlines on health care: |
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Health news we've flagged from other outlets: |
- The food industry has tried to stack a key nutrition policy panel with its preferred experts, documents show (Stat)
- 'Dr. Google' meets its match: Dr. ChatGPT (KFF Health News)
- Timeline for supply limits on Novo Nordisk weight-loss drug unclear, US FDA says (Reuters)
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Public health preparedness is how we protect American lives. |
From new viruses to the risk of chemical or biological attacks, public health threats can emerge anywhere. At any time. Now is the time to protect us all against things we hope never happen — just in case they ever do. Learn more. |
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Most read stories on The Hill right now: |
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Besides persisting in his claims of election fraud after having been told by authoritative sources they were baseless, Trump showed in other ways that … Read more |
| Senate Republicans are unhappy with Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s (R-Calif.) decision Tuesday to open an impeachment inquiry into President Biden, … Read more |
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Opinions related to health submitted to The Hill: |
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You're all caught up. See you tomorrow! |
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