For the first time in a decade, the rate at which American adolescents received the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has not increased, new data show. Current guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that both girls and boys receive the vaccine at ages 11 or 12, although vaccination can begin as…  read on >  read on >

Cancer patients with immune systems weakened by treatment are among the groups most concerned about the continued spread of COVID-19 and the chance of the infection becoming severe. New research suggests more guidance on how often these patients need protective booster shots. It’s not one-size-fits-all, but depends on the specific treatment, said scientists from Yale…  read on >  read on >

Millions of Americans swear they’re suffering the symptoms of long-haul COVID, but are greeted with eye rolls because they never were formally diagnosed with COVID-19. Their claims need to be taken more seriously by physicians, a new study argues, because evidence of prior COVID infection can be found in many so-called “COVID-negative” patients with long-haul…  read on >  read on >

One source of lead exposure in children may surprise you. It’s secondhand smoke, according to a Texas A&M University study. “Further research will likely paint a clearer picture of this exposure route, especially in younger children, but the findings here can inform current efforts to eliminate low-level lead exposure in children,” said co-author Dr. Genny…  read on >  read on >