As severe cases of COVID-19 rise and demand surges for monoclonal antibody treatments, the U.S. government is ordering more from two key suppliers. Monoclonal antibodies, which are lab-engineered immune system proteins, can help trigger a healthy immune response against COVID-19 infection. The Biden administration has also taken over distributing the therapeutics, to help avoid shortages… read on > read on >
Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients undergoing a treatment that depletes a type of immune cell that fuels MS attacks still have a strong response to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, a new study finds. “The message from this study is clear — it is worthwhile for patients with MS receiving [anti-CD20] treatment to get a COVID-19 vaccine, which… read on > read on >
During the next few weeks or months, you might find yourself dropping by the doctor’s office or pharmacy to get your annual flu shot along with a dose of COVID vaccine. Unfortunately, you’ll have to get two individual jabs. Though at least two drug companies are working on a combo flu/COVID booster, the single-dose shot… read on > read on >
Getting prior authorizations to see a specialist, dealing with errors on medical bills and even scheduling appointments can be a big hassle. That’s clear to anyone who has spent time on the phone handling issues with insurance companies or doctors’ offices. For some patients, in fact, it’s a hurdle that’s caused them to delay or… read on > read on >
It’s hard to resist those big, pleading eyes in the pet store window. But buyer beware. Pet store puppies may infect people with a bacteria for which no common antibiotic treatment exists, a new study warns. Campylobacter jejuni (C jejuni) cannot be treated with any common antibiotics and is an increasing public health threat, according… read on > read on >
Many parents hoping for COVID-19 vaccines for their children younger than 12 may get their wish this fall, according to Dr. Anthony Fauci. The vaccines could be authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration this fall for children ages 5 to 11, Fauci told CNN on Tuesday. “If you look at the studies that… read on > read on >
In Africa, only 4% of people have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Leaders had once hoped to have 60% of people living on the continent vaccinated this year. That now appears unlikely. The World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners said they do hope to provide African countries with 30% of the vaccines the continent… read on > read on >
Jeff Bridges has had a rough year. Almost a year ago, the actor was diagnosed with lymphoma. Then in January, he was exposed to the COVID-19 virus while receiving chemotherapy. “Covid kicked my (expletive) pretty good,” Bridges wrote in a blog post on his website, USA Today reported. Bridges, 71, said he spent five weeks… read on > read on >
Older adults who are socially isolated are more likely to experience serious disability or die after a stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), new research reveals. “This important research finding sheds light on a crucial health care issue that has become more dire during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr. E. Albert Reece, dean of… read on > read on >
Patients with B-cell blood cancers who did not make antibodies to COVID-19 after two shots of vaccine may find that a third shot does the trick, new research finds. More than half the patients who had failed to respond to the first two shots had a positive response to the third, or booster, shot, according… read on > read on >
