Two doses of a pediatric Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine failed to spur an adequate immune response in children aged 2 to 5, the companies announced Friday. That’s a setback for parents hoping to get their youngest children immunized against the new coronavirus as soon as possible. The pediatric trials used a 3 microgram (mcg) dose of… read on > read on >
Pregnant women who use hair dyes or straighteners may have relatively lower levels of pregnancy-supporting hormones, a recent study suggests. Researchers found that among more than 1,000 pregnant women they followed, those who used certain hair products — dyes, bleaches, relaxers or mousse — had lower levels of several hormones, including estrogen and progesterone. That’s… read on > read on >
Breakthrough infections in people who’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19 may trigger “super immunity” against coronavirus variants, including Omicron, according to a new study. “The key is to get vaccinated. You’ve got to have a foundation of protection,” said co-author Dr. Marcel Curlin, an associate professor of medicine at Oregon Health & Sciences University (OHSU) in… read on > read on >
In an effort to further lower lead levels in drinking water, the Biden administration on Thursday announced $2.9 billion in infrastructure bill funds for lead pipe removal and tighter lead limits. The new, tougher limits to be imposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are expected to be finalized by 2024 and would require the… read on > read on >
FRIDAY, Dec. 17, 2021 (American Heart Association News) — Zip up your coat or you’ll catch a cold! Most people have probably heard some variation of that parental plea while growing up, or even directed such advice to their own children. It’s a sensible request, though when it comes to avoiding illness when temperatures dip,… read on > read on >
By this time, roughly 21 months into the pandemic, everyone should have masks and know how to wear them. Yet, go into a grocery store, a church or a holiday event where masks are required and you’re likely to see people wearing masks that are falling off their nose or have gaps at the sides.… read on > read on >
FRIDAY, Dec. 17, 2021This season’s flu vaccine may do little to prevent infection with the main circulating virus strain because the strain has changed since the vaccine was developed, a new study suggests. However, the vaccine is still likely to protect against severe illness and death, according to the U.S. researchers. They assessed the vaccine’s… read on > read on >
Access to abortion pills by mail was made permanent by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday. Patients will be able to have a telemedicine appointment with a provider who can prescribe the pills and send them to the patient by mail, the FDA said in new guidance issued Thursday. Abortion pills are approved… read on > read on >
Masking up again? Here’s what works best. New research finds that when it comes to keeping the COVID-19 virus to yourself, a tight fit matters. So, too, do the materials used, experts say. Read more U.S. makes rule allowing abortion pills by mail permanent: With a Supreme Court decision looming that could curb women’s access… read on > read on >
Recovery from heart surgery can bring some pain. But a new study suggests patients don’t need potentially addictive prescription opioids to control that post-op discomfort. “This study shows that discharge without opioid pain medicine after cardiac surgery is extremely well tolerated by some patients. In other words, we should not be reflexively prescribing pain medicine… read on > read on >
