CDC: Prior infection plus vaccination tied to lower COVID-19 case rates
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 20, 2022
A new public health study suggests not only that vaccination protects against developing severe illness, but that surviving a bout with COVID-19 prevents reinfection, investigators say.
Becerra orders CMS to rethink $22 Medicare Part B premium price hike tied to Aduhelm
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 11, 2022
With the 50% price drop of Aduhelm on January 1, there is good reason for CMS to reassess a hefty proposed premium hike for 2022, the U.S. health secretary said. On Wednesday, CMS is expected to announce...
CDC: Boosted nursing home residents 10 times less likely to be infected with COVID-19
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 17, 2021
The news, delivered by CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, is a bit of cheer amidst other new evidence that COVID-19 cases are increasing among fully vaccinated long-term care residents.
Fauci: Early data show omicron spreads quickly but with less severity than delta
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 08, 2021
Omicron cases appear to have led to fewer hospitalizations and patients have been less likely to need oxygen, the White House’s infectious disease expert said Tuesday.
Clinical briefs for Thursday, Nov. 18
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 18, 2021
OSHA suspends implementation of COVID-19 vaccine mandate for businesses … Feds expected to OK Pfizer’s COVID vaccine boosters for all adults; Moderna requests the same for its shot … 12 more...
Merck to seek emergency use for COVID-19 antiviral pill that cuts severe outcomes by 50 percent
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 04, 2021
Molnupiravir has reduced COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations by half in a new clinical trial. An orally delivered drug could offer unprecedented treatment convenience, the drug’s developers say.
Drugmakers ask FDA to approve another Alzheimer’s drug, similar to Aduhelm
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 29, 2021
Drugmakers Eisai and Biogen are putting the Food and Drug Administration to the test with a request to approve a second Alzheimer’s drug that works like aducanumab (Aduhelm), the new, yet controversial,...
New CDC vaccine access info covers COVID booster shots, ‘safety net’ support
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 23, 2021
With assurances to provide help as needed, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention is sharing vaccine access information ahead of the federal COVID-19 vaccine booster shot approvals expected to come...
CDC: Lasting COVID-19 symptoms tied to age, sex, race factors
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 21, 2021
Investigators examined recovered COVID-19 patients in Long Beach California. Fully one third of participants reported having at least one symptom of post-acute sequelae, commonly called “long COVID-19,”...
U.S. lawmakers ramp up scrutiny of FDA following agency’s approval of controversial Alzheimer’s drug
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 07, 2021
The FDA is being asked to help explain how Aduhelm (aducanumab) met accelerated approval criteria when so many experts — including internal advisers — have flagged insufficient safety and efficacy...