(HealthDay News) – The spread of monkeypox should be closely monitored, the World Health Organization said on Saturday, but it is not a global emergency at this time. Monkeypox is a long-neglected illness, endemic in some African countries, the WHO emergency committee explained. The current outbreak, involving more than 3,000 people in over 50 countries,…  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 >

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 >

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday ordered Juul Labs to pull its e-cigarettes off the American market. “Today’s action is further progress on the FDA’s commitment to ensuring that all e-cigarette and electronic nicotine delivery system products currently being marketed to consumers meet our public health standards,” said FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf.…  read on >  read on >

Even babies aren’t immune from the effects of long COVID, Danish researchers report. Their study found that about one in three kids aged 14 and younger who tested positive for the virus were suffering from mood swings, trouble remembering or concentrating, and rashes as much as two months later. “Prolonged symptoms in children must be…  read on >  read on >