(HealthDay News) – Pfizer Inc. announced Saturday that it has two possible candidates that beat back Omicron infection more effectively than its original vaccine. The news follows Moderna’s announcement last week that its Omicron booster shot showed greater protection against the highly contagious variant. On Tuesday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s scientific advisers will… read on > read on >
Testing for HIV suffered a sharp setback during the first year of the pandemic, new government data shows. The number of HIV tests funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and administered in health care settings dropped 43% between 2019 and 2020, the study showed. Tests administered in non-health care settings dropped… read on > read on >
(HealthDay News) – After a very long wait, babies, toddlers and preschoolers can now get COVID-19 shots. Many parents may feel relief, but some may also have questions. Dr. Jessica Ericson, a pediatric infectious disease physician at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital in Hershey, Pa., offers some answers to help parents weigh the benefits of… read on > read on >
Getting a COVID-19 booster shot can significantly increase an at-risk person’s immunity and protect against the contagious Omicron variant. New research focusing on nursing home residents and their caregivers found a third dose of vaccine boosted antibodies by more than 85%, with high levels of Omicron-specific immunity. The study authors said the results underscore the… read on > read on >
While 8 in 10 Americans ages 65 and older say they want to age in their homes, it’s not always possible when health declines. Knowing when a loved one needs a more supportive environment, such as assisted living, continuing care retirement community or a nursing home, can be challenging. Though “aging in place” remains a… read on > read on >
More Americans now live in wildfire zones as wildfire seasons have become longer, with hotter, faster-moving fires. If you’re one of those who live in a location threatened by wildfires, it’s important to be prepared, according to Environment America, a national network of 30 state environmental groups. You should have a plan for evacuation in… read on > read on >
You and your best friend may have your noses to thank in helping bring you together, a new study suggests. Researchers found that pairs of friends who’d just “clicked” upon meeting tended to smell more alike, compared to random pairs of strangers. What’s more, a high-tech electronic nose was able to predict, based on body… read on > read on >
On Thursday, New York City became the first U.S. city to start offering the monkeypox vaccine to those at high risk for the disease. The announcement follows similar ones issued from the United Kingdom and Canada. Although most cases of the disease have been reported among gay and bisexual men, anyone can get it from… read on > read on >
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky on Friday signed off on the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for kids ages 6 through 17. It’s the final step to making the shots available to this age group. Pfizer’s two-dose COVID vaccine has already gained approval for use in older children. “Vaccinating this age… read on > read on >
Nearly two-thirds of the world’s population has had at least one COVID-19 vaccine, which has prevented nearly 20 million deaths, new research finds. The study from Imperial College London was the first to quantify the impact of vaccines on a global scale. It was based on death records and estimates from 185 countries. “Our findings… read on > read on >
