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Vaccination

Drugstore Deserts On Rise Amid Nationwide Pharmacy Closures Drugstore Deserts On Rise Amid Nationwide Pharmacy Closures
Drugstore Deserts On Rise Amid Nationwide Pharmacy Closures Nearly 30 percent of US pharmacies closed between 2010 and 2021, according to a new study in the health-policy publication Health Affairs. The research, led by University of California Berkeley assistant professor Jenny S. Guadamuz and colleagues, analyzed data from the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs, county health statistics, and ZIP Code demographic surveys.  Of the 88,930 retail pharmacies operating in 2010, almost one-third shuttered by 2021, with those in predominantly Black and Latino neighborhoods disproportionately affected, Independent pharmacies were hit ha…
Rabid Raccoon Found In CT: Officials Urge Precautions To Protect Pets, Residents Rabid Raccoon Found In CT: Officials Urge Precautions To Protect Pets, Residents
Rabid Raccoon Found In CT: Officials Urge Precautions To Protect Pets, Residents A week after a fox tested positive, a raccoon in Connecticut also tested positive for the fatal virus and experts are warning caution around unfamiliar animals and extra protection for pets.  The Ledge Light Health District announced on Monday, Dec. 9, that the stray animal had tested positive for rabies in North Stonington. Related: Rabid Coyote Attacks Three Workers in Wallingford Last Week Rabies spreads through an infected animal's saliva, usually via bites or scratches, according to the Ledge Light Health District in a Facebook post. It can also be transmitted when infecte…
Whooping Cough Cases Are Spiking, CDC Warns Whooping Cough Cases Are Spiking, CDC Warns
Whooping Cough Cases Are Spiking, CDC Warns Cases of whooping cough are five times higher than at this time a year ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is warning. Officially known as pertussis, those infected have persistent, chronic fits of coughing followed by a “whoop” sound. "Reports of pertussis cases were lower than usual over the past few years, during and following the COVID-19 pandemic.," the CDC said in a new advisory. "However, the United States is beginning to return to pre-pandemic patterns where more than 10,000 cases are typically reported each year. It's likely mitigation measures used during the…
Free COVID-19 At-Home Tests Will Soon Become Available Online Free COVID-19 At-Home Tests Will Soon Become Available Online
Free Covid-19 At-Home Tests Will Soon Become Available Online The Department of Health and Human Services will soon restart its program of offering free rapid tests for the virus through the mail. Every American household may order four nasal swab tests starting by the end of September by visiting covid.gov/tests or covidtests.gov. Both standard and more accessible COVID-19 tests will be available, while supplies last. The department did not announce what specific day and date requests will start to be processed. New COVID booster vaccines that became available at the start of September have been updated with a formula to more closely target cu…
FDA Approves Updated COVID-19 Vaccines: Here's When They Will Be Available FDA Approves Updated COVID-19 Vaccines: Here's When They Will Be Available
FDA Approves Updated Covid-19 Vaccines: Here's When They Will Be Available The US Food and Drug Administration has just approved new COVID-19 vaccines.It marks the third time the vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna have been updated to match circulating strains since the original shot. The shots should be available within days, the FDA said in making the announcement Thursday afternoon, Aug. 22. The new vaccines have been updated with a formula to more closely target currently circulating variants and provide better protection against serious consequences of COVID, including hospitalization and death. “Vaccination continues to be the cornerstone of COVID-19 preventi…
Fully Vaxxed, Boosted President Biden Gets COVID-19 Again Fully Vaxxed, Boosted President Biden Gets COVID-19 Again
Fully Vaxxed, Boosted President Biden Gets Covid-19 Again Despite being fully vaccinated and boosted, President Joe Biden has tested positive for COVID-19 — again, White House officials announced on Wednesday, July 17. The 81-year-old Biden has tested positive for COVID while in Las Vegas, Nevada ahead of the DNC, officials with the White House explained. His symptoms are mild. His doctor noted that he presented with upper respiratory symptoms, such as a runny nose, a non-productive cough, and "general malaise," as stated in the release.  Since his condition did not improve throughout the day, a COVID test was conducted on Wednesda…
Ex-NY Nurse May Dodge Jail After Making $1M Selling Fake Vaccine Cards, Prescriptions Ex-NY Nurse May Dodge Jail After Making $1M Selling Fake Vaccine Cards, Prescriptions
Ex-NY Nurse May Dodge Jail After Making $1M Selling Fake Vaccine Cards, Prescriptions A former pediatric nurse from Long Island could avoid jail time after confessing that she raked in over $1 million selling forged COVID-19 vaccine cards and opioid prescriptions. Julie DeVuono, age 51, of Amityville, pleaded guilty to filing forged vaccination record cards, laundering the criminal proceeds from selling the cards, and filing false prescriptions for opioids in Suffolk County Court in September 2023. According to prosecutors, DeVuono charged her customers $220 or $350, depending on the year, between June 2021 and September 2022 for entering their false vaccine information into…
COVID-19: Change In Isolation Guidelines For Those Infected With Virus Announced By CDC COVID-19: Change In Isolation Guidelines For Those Infected With Virus Announced By CDC
Covid-19: Change In Isolation Guidelines For Those Infected With Virus Announced By CDC New isolation guidelines for those infected with COVID-19 or other respiratory infections have just been announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The agency said there is no longer a need to isolate for five days before returning to work or school in a statement issued Friday, March 1. The CDC said it's making updates to the recommendations now because the US is seeing "far fewer hospitalizations and deaths associated with COVID-19 and because we have more tools than ever to combat flu, COVID, and RSV." Three "core prevention tips" were also detaile…
COVID-19: 'Kraken' Subvariant XBB.1.5 Gaining More Ground Nationally, CDC Warns COVID-19: 'Kraken' Subvariant XBB.1.5 Gaining More Ground Nationally, CDC Warns
Covid-19: 'Kraken' Subvariant XBB.1.5 Gaining More Ground Nationally, CDC Warns Omicron strain called XBB.1.5 which accounts for a large majority of COVID-19 cases from the New York tristate area through New England, is gaining more ground nationally. Nicknamed the "Kraken" subvariant, it now makes up 43 percent of cases nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  "XBB.1.5 is the most transmissible form of COVID-19 that we know of to date and may be more likely to infect people who have been vaccinated or already had COVID-19," the CDC said in a statement posted on Twitter on Friday, Jan. 13. According to updated CDC data released …
Child From CT Dies Of Flu In State's First Pediatric Fatality Of Season Child From CT Dies Of Flu In State's First Pediatric Fatality Of Season
Child From CT Dies Of Flu In State's First Pediatric Fatality Of Season Health officials confirmed that a child from Connecticut has died of influenza. The child, a resident of New Haven County, died in December in what is the first pediatric influenza death in the state this flu season, the Connecticut Department of Public Health said. Officials said the child was between the ages of less than a year old and 9 years old. They did not report the child's exact age. “The flu continues to circulate and is particularly dangerous to the very youngest and the oldest people in your life,” DPH Commissioner Manisha Juthani said. “The holidays are just around the corner…
CDC Encouraging Americans To Mask Up For The Holidays Amid Tripledemic Of COVID-19, Flu, RSV CDC Encouraging Americans To Mask Up For The Holidays Amid Tripledemic Of COVID-19, Flu, RSV
CDC Encouraging Americans To Mask Up For The Holidays Amid Tripledemic Of Covid-19, Flu, RSV The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is encouraging Americans to wear masks during the holiday season to help prevent the spread of the so-called tripledemic of COVID-19, influenza, and Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). It's especially important for people living in areas with high levels of COVID transmission to mask up, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said on Monday, Dec. 5. “The past several years have certainly not been easy, and we now face yet another surge of ailments, another moment of overstretched capacity, and really one of tragic and often preventab…
COVID-19: Repeat Infections Can Be Dangerous, Even Deadly, Brand-New Study Reveals COVID-19: Repeat Infections Can Be Dangerous, Even Deadly, Brand-New Study Reveals
Covid-19: Repeat Infections Can Be Dangerous, Even Deadly, Brand-New Study Reveals Repeat COVID-19 infections can be dangerous, even deadly, including for those who have been vaccinated and boosted, according to a brand-new study.  The study by the Washington University School of Medicine and the Veterans Affairs St. Louis Health Care system found that "repeat SARS-CoV-2 infections contribute significant additional risk of adverse health conditions in multiple organ systems." The findings, published Thursday, Nov. 10 in Nature Medicine, reported that such outcomes include: hospitalization;  disorders affecting the lungs, heart, brain, and the body’s blood, mus…
Polio Virus ID'd In Wastewater In NYC In New Sign Disease Is Spreading Polio Virus ID'd In Wastewater In NYC In New Sign Disease Is Spreading
Polio Virus ID'd In Wastewater In NYC In New Sign Disease Is Spreading The polio virus has been found in New York City's wastewater in the latest sign that the disease is spreading. The New York City Health Department made the announcement on Friday, Aug. 12 after the virus was detected in sewage, suggesting likely local circulation of polio.  “For every one case of paralytic polio identified, hundreds more may be undetected,” State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said. “The detection of poliovirus in wastewater samples in New York City is alarming, but not surprising."  These findings follow the identification of a case of paralytic polio a…
First Polio Case In US In Nearly A Decade Reported In NY First Polio Case In US In Nearly A Decade Reported In NY
First Polio Case In US In Nearly A Decade Reported In NY State health officials have confirmed a case of polio in New York, the first time the disease has been seen in the United States in nearly a decade. The case was confirmed in Rockland County, the New York State Department of Health announced Thursday, July 21. State and county health officials said they were advising medical practitioners and healthcare providers to be on the lookout for additional cases. Today NYSDOH notified NYers of a case of polio in Rockland County, identified through sequencing at Wadsworth, confirmed by @CDCgov. Working with @rockhealth & @nychealthy, we wil…
CT Sees Jump In Monkeypox Cases CT Sees Jump In Monkeypox Cases
CT Sees Jump In Monkeypox Cases A total of 11 Connecticut residents have now been diagnosed with monkeypox, the state Department of Public Health has announced.  All 11 patients are between the ages of 20 and 50 and live in Fairfield, New Haven, and Hartford counties, the department said. The majority of the patients have not been hospitalized. “Monkeypox spreads through close prolonged contact with an infected person. This might include coming into contact with skin lesions, or body fluids, sharing clothes or other materials that have been used by an infected person, or inhaling respiratory droplets during prolonge…
COVID-19: These Groups Of People Most Prone To Getting 'Long COVID,' New Report Says COVID-19: These Groups Of People Most Prone To Getting 'Long COVID,' New Report Says
Covid-19: These Groups Of People Most Prone To Getting 'Long COVID,' New Report Says A new report lists several groups of people who experts believe may be more at risk of developing long COVID. Long COVID refers to a wide range of long-term health problems people can experience following their COVID-19 infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC.) "There is no test to diagnose post-COVID conditions, and people may have a wide variety of symptoms that could come from other health problems," the CDC said. "This can make it difficult for healthcare providers to recognize post-COVID conditions." The CDC said researchers are working to discover …
COVID-19: US To End Requirement Air Travelers Show Negative Test COVID-19: US To End Requirement Air Travelers Show Negative Test
Covid-19: US To End Requirement Air Travelers Show Negative Test International travelers arriving to the United States by air will no longer have to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test, The Hill reports. After nearly 18 months in effect, the Biden administration is doing away with the obligation at 12:01 a.m. ET Sunday, June 12, the outlet reports. It comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) determined the move is no longer necessary “based on the science and data,” according to The Hill. Up until now, travelers hoping to catch a flight to the US had been required to show proof of a negative test one day before their flight. …
COVID-19: FDA Expands Eligibility For Pfizer Booster To Children 5 Through 11 COVID-19: FDA Expands Eligibility For Pfizer Booster To Children 5 Through 11
Covid-19: FDA Expands Eligibility For Pfizer Booster To Children 5 Through 11 Federal health officials have granted emergency use authorization for a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in children. On Tuesday, May 17, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it is expanding eligibility for boosters to include children between the ages of 5 and 11 years old. That age group will be permitted to receive their booster shot five months after completing their initial COVID-19 vaccination series, officials said. FDA Commissioner Robert Califf said that while data shows COVID-19 is less severe in children, the vaccine and boosters can help …
COVID-19: CDC Recommends Connecticut Residents Wear Masks Indoors In These Counties COVID-19: CDC Recommends Connecticut Residents Wear Masks Indoors In These Counties
Covid-19: CDC Recommends Connecticut Residents Wear Masks Indoors In These Counties Connecticut residents are being encouraged by federal health officials to start masking back up amid the latest surge of new COVID-19 cases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its guidance on mask-wearing to concentrate on COVID hospitalizations, hospital capacity, and newly reported infections, permitting most of the state to drop the mandate. With the state reaching a seven-day average COVID-19 infection rate above 13 percent, and new cases on the rise across Connecticut, most of the state has been advised to take precautions to help curtail the spread of the…
COVID-19: NY Gov. Kathy Hochul Tests Positive COVID-19: NY Gov. Kathy Hochul Tests Positive
Covid-19: NY Gov. Kathy Hochul Tests Positive New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced she has tested positive for COVID-19.  Hochul said that she received her positive test result on Sunday, May 8, adding that she is not experiencing symptoms.  She said she plans to continue working remotely during the week. "Today I tested positive for COVID-19," Hochul tweeted. "Thankfully, I’m vaccinated and boosted, and I’m asymptomatic. I’ll be isolating and working remotely this week. A reminder to all New Yorkers: get vaccinated and boosted, get tested, and stay home if you don’t feel well." Today I tested positive for COVID-19. Thankfully, I…
COVID-19: Positive Infection Rate In CT Tops 10 Percent; Latest Breakdown Of Cases By County COVID-19: Positive Infection Rate In CT Tops 10 Percent; Latest Breakdown Of Cases By County
Covid-19: Positive Infection Rate In CT Tops 10 Percent; Latest Breakdown Of Cases By County Some in Connecticut are calling for state officials to reinstate mask mandates and other measures to help curtail the current spread of COVID-19.  In recent weeks, Connecticut has seen the number of new cases continue to rise as the average positive COVID-19 infection rate hit 10.32 percent over the past week.  In the past seven days, there have been more than 60,000 COVID-19 PCR and NAAT tests administered in Connecticut, according to the state Department of Public Health, resulting in 6,198 laboratory-confirmed cases of the virus. Last week, the average seven-day positive infec…
COVID-19: Comedian From New England Fills In As Guest Host After Jimmy Kimmel Tests Positive COVID-19: Comedian From New England Fills In As Guest Host After Jimmy Kimmel Tests Positive
Covid-19: Comedian From New England Fills In As Guest Host After Jimmy Kimmel Tests Positive Mike Birbiglia, a comedian from Massachusetts, is guest hosting Jimmy Kimmel Live after Kimmel tested positive for COVID-19. Kimmel announced on Monday, May 2, that he was feeling well after receiving his positive test, adding that he has been fully vaccinated and received a booster vaccine. Our daughter brought us covid (even though we specifically asked her not to) All feeling fine, I am double vaxxed and boosted but the show must not go on. Apologies to @TomCruise & @iliza and thanks to Mike Birbiglia @birbigs who'll be filling in for me starting tomorrow night — Jimmy Kimmel (@j…
COVID-19: Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons Tests Positive COVID-19: Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons Tests Positive
Covid-19: Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons Tests Positive Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons has tested positive for COVID-19, according to a statement from her office. Simmons learned of her condition Thursday, April 28, via an at-home rapid test that she took after her husband tested positive for COVID-19 earlier in the day, the mayor’s office said. “Both the mayor and her husband are feeling well and are now isolating at home,” the statement read. Simmons’ office encouraged residents to get vaccinated and boosted if they haven’t yet done so, and to use proper masking and social distancing when appropriate. Simmons, a former state representative …
COVID-19: Moderna Seeks Vaccine Authorization For Kids Under Age 6 COVID-19: Moderna Seeks Vaccine Authorization For Kids Under Age 6
Covid-19: Moderna Seeks Vaccine Authorization For Kids Under Age 6 Moderna says it has submitted a request to the Food and Drug Administration for emergency use authorization of its COVID-19 vaccine for children younger than 6. The company made the announcement on Thursday, April 28, saying it submitted a request to FDA to authorize its vaccine for children from ages 6 months to 6 years old. Moderna's vaccines are currently only authorized for individuals aged 18 and older. "We are proud to share that we have initiated our EUA submission for authorization for our COVID-19 vaccine for young children," Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel said. "We believe mRNA-1273…
COVID-19: VP Kamala Harris Tests Positive COVID-19: VP Kamala Harris Tests Positive
Covid-19: VP Kamala Harris Tests Positive Fully vaccinated Vice President Kamala Harris has become the latest high-ranking elected official to test positive for COVID-19 amid an outbreak of cases in the Biden Administration. Harris tested positive for COVID-19 on both rapid and PCR tests, her office announced on Tuesday, April 26. According to Kirsten Allen, the press secretary to the vice president, Harris has exhibited no symptoms, is in isolation, and will continue to work from the Vice President’s residence. Harris "has not been a close contact to the President or First Lady due to their respective recent travel schedules,” …
COVID-19: Infection Rate Back Below 8 Percent In CT, Hospitalizations Approach 200 COVID-19: Infection Rate Back Below 8 Percent In CT, Hospitalizations Approach 200
Covid-19: Infection Rate Back Below 8 Percent In CT, Hospitalizations Approach 200 The positive COVID-19 infection rate in Connecticut is declining, though the number of patients being treated for the virus in state hospitals is approaching a dubious number. In the past seven days, there have been more than 67,000 COVID-19 PCR and NAAT tests administered in Connecticut, according to the state Department of Public Health, resulting in 5,261 laboratory-confirmed cases of the virus. The seven-day average positivity rate of those tests has dipped to 7.81 percent after surging past 8 percent last week. Thirty-four more COVID-19 patients were administered to Connecticut hospit…
COVID-19: Seven-Day Positivity Rate Tops 8 Percent In CT; Latest Breakdown Of Cases, Deaths COVID-19: Seven-Day Positivity Rate Tops 8 Percent In CT; Latest Breakdown Of Cases, Deaths
Covid-19: Seven-Day Positivity Rate Tops 8 Percent In CT; Latest Breakdown Of Cases, Deaths The positive COVID-19 infection rate in Connecticut is back approaching 10 percent as the state and region contend with sub-variants of the virus. According to the state Department of Public Health, the COVID-19 positivity rate and hospitalizations have risen over the past seven days amid the rise in cases across the country. In the past seven days, the Department of Public Health has administered nearly 60,000 PCR and NAAT COVID-19 tests in Connecticut, resulting in 4,828 confirmed cases of the virus for an 8.09 percent positive infection rate. Twenty-seven new COVID-19 patients were admi…
COVID-19: 'This Is Not Going To Be Eradicated,' Individuals Should Assess Risk, Fauci Says COVID-19: 'This Is Not Going To Be Eradicated,' Individuals Should Assess Risk, Fauci Says
Covid-19: 'This Is Not Going To Be Eradicated,' Individuals Should Assess Risk, Fauci Says Infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci said that with a new wave of COVID-19 cases potentially on the horizon as new sub-variants emerge, it will be up to Americans to assess their own risk and potential to spread the virus. Fauci cautioned that with new infections on the rise across the country, it will be up to individuals to help curtail the spread of COVID-19. Earlier story - COVID-19: Expect Increases In Cases Next Few Weeks Followed By New Fall Surge, Fauci Says “It's going to be a person's decision about the individual risks they're going to take," Fauci told ABC "This Week" c…
COVID-19: Positivity Rate Above 6 Percent In CT, 14 New Deaths Reported COVID-19: Positivity Rate Above 6 Percent In CT, 14 New Deaths Reported
Covid-19: Positivity Rate Above 6 Percent In CT, 14 New Deaths Reported The COVID-19-related death toll in Connecticut has hit another dubious milestone as the state contends with a rising infection rate. In its latest update on Thursday, April 14, the state Department of Public Health reported 14 new virus-related deaths in the past week, as the number of deaths topped 10,800, reaching 10,809 since the pandemic began in March 2020. Over the past seven days, the positive infection rate in Connecticut continues to rise, up to an average of 6.26 percent after holding steady below 2 percent for several weeks earlier in 2022. Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said that …
COVID-19: AG Tong Now Fourth Top CT Official To Test Positive COVID-19: AG Tong Now Fourth Top CT Official To Test Positive
Covid-19: AG Tong Now Fourth Top CT Official To Test Positive Connecticut Attorney General William Tong has become the latest top state elected official to contract COVID-19 in the span of a week. Tong announced on Wednesday, April 13 that he has become the latest to test positive for the virus, joining the likes of Gov. Ned Lamont, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, and state Treasurer Shawn T. Wooden. Original story - COVID-19: Lamont Tests Positive Like Wooden, Tong said that he is experiencing mild symptoms, and he is isolating at home and plans to work from there for at least the next five days. Earlier story - COVID-19: State Treasurer Latest Top CT O…
COVID-19: First Spread In US Due To New Sub-Variants Of 'Stealth Omicron' Reported In NY COVID-19: First Spread In US Due To New Sub-Variants Of 'Stealth Omicron' Reported In NY
Covid-19: First Spread In US Due To New Sub-Variants Of 'Stealth Omicron' Reported In NY Two new sub-variants of BA.2. or the so-called COVID-19 "Stealth Omicron" strain, could be considerably more contagious, say health officials who are reporting a surge in cases in Central New York State,  the first such outbreak in the nation. The New York State Department of Health on Wednesday, April 13 announced the emergence of the two Omicron sub-variants: BA.2.12 and BA.2.12.1.  BA.2 now accounts for more than 50 percent of COVID cases nationally and 80.6 percent in New York.  The sub-variants have been estimated to have a 23- to 27-percent growth advantage above …