Almost 1 in 10 eligible U.S. children ages 5-11 have received a first shot of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine since it was approved for that age group two weeks ago, the White House said Wednesday. Of the 2.6 million doses put into kids’ arms so far, 1.7 million were administered in the last week alone,… read on > read on >
Nearly a third of health care staff in U.S. hospitals were not vaccinated against COVID-19 as of mid-September, a new study shows. Researchers analyzed data on more than 3.3 million health care workers at more than 2,000 hospitals nationwide between Jan. 20 and Sept. 15. “Our analysis revealed that vaccine coverage among U.S. hospital-based [health… read on > read on >
Vaccinated health care workers with breakthrough COVID-19 infections shed less virus than those who are unvaccinated and infected, according to University of California, Los Angeles researchers. “SARS-CoV-2 viral loads are known to be a critical driver of transmission,” wrote authors led by Dr. Paul Adamson, an assistant professor of medicine in the division of infectious… read on > read on >
Most people know that sun-sourced vitamin D is good for their bones. So could avoiding the sun to reduce skin cancer risk weaken your bones? A new study brings a reassuring answer: “Sun-protective” behavior — wearing long sleeves, seeking shade or using sunscreen — “was not associated with decreased bone mineral density or increased risk… read on > read on >
Claire Wiedmaier experiences epileptic seizures so bad that she’s broken teeth while in their grip. “I have some fake teeth. I broke my two bottom front teeth,” said Wiedmaier, 23, of Ankeny, Iowa, who these days can expect to have at least four seizures a month. Knowing when to expect a seizure would be a… read on > read on >
A 3-D virtual reality system to treat back pain was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday. The EaseVRx system is a prescription device for at-home use that combines cognitive behavioral therapy and other behavioral methods to treat patients 18 and older with chronic lower back pain. “Millions of adults in the… read on > read on >
The first human clinical trial of a nasal vaccine to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease is set to begin after nearly 20 years of research. This is a “remarkable milestone,” according to Dr. Howard Weiner, co-director of the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. “Over the last… read on > read on >
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is poised to approve Pfizer’s COVID booster shots for all American adults as early as Thursday. That would make tens of millions more Americans eligible for the booster doses, sources familiar with the plan told The New York Times. The FDA is expected to make its decision without the… read on > read on >
The Biden administration plans to invest billions to partner with industry to expand the nation’s ability to produce coronavirus vaccines, ensure domestic supply and help poor nations in their vaccination efforts. The goal of the plan, to be announced Wednesday, is to produce at least 1 billion doses a year beginning in the second half… read on > read on >
American teens are increasingly turning to the social media giant Instagram to share graphic images of their own attempts to harm themselves, a new study reveals. “It could be an attempt to share their emotional or psychological pain with others or find support from others,” said study lead author Amanda Giordano. She is an associate… read on > read on >
