Tag:

Vaccination

Medical Experts Blast Trump's Tylenol, Autism Claims: 'Astonishing Misinformation' Medical Experts Blast Trump's Tylenol, Autism Claims: 'Astonishing Misinformation'
Medical Experts Blast Trump's Tylenol, Autism Claims: 'Astonishing Misinformation' US and global health officials are rejecting President Donald Trump's claims that pregnant women should avoid Tylenol and other types of acetaminophen, saying his claims of a link to autism are not supported by science. At the White House on Monday, Sept. 22, Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. warned about what they claimed are links between the pain-relieving medication and autism in children. Trump is ordering the Food and Drug Administration to notify doctors that using Tylenol during pregnancy is associated with a "very increased risk of autism." Trump …
RFK Jr.’s CDC Panel Scraps Broad COVID Vaccine Recommendation RFK Jr.’s CDC Panel Scraps Broad COVID Vaccine Recommendation
RFK Jr.’s CDC Panel Scraps Broad COVID Vaccine Recommendation The CDC’s vaccine advisers appointed by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. just broke with pandemic-era policy, scrapping a broad recommendation for COVID-19 shots. They have decided vaccination should be a personal decision made with a health care provider. On Friday, Sept. 19, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted unanimously to move COVID vaccination to “shared clinical decision-making,” according to meeting summaries.  Members also split 6–6 on whether to require prescriptions. The tie was broken when chair Dr. Martin Kulldorff …
Summer COVID-19 Wave Builds: Nimbus Variant Still Dominant As Stratus Rises Summer COVID-19 Wave Builds: Nimbus Variant Still Dominant As Stratus Rises
Summer Covid-19 Wave Builds: Nimbus Variant Still Dominant As Stratus Rises Beach trips and heat waves aren’t the only things rising this summer. COVID-19 signals are climbing nationwide, and two Omicron offshoots appear to be leading the charge. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Friday, Aug. 8 upgraded national wastewater viral activity for COVID-19 from “low” to “moderate,” a change that arrives just as families prep for back-to-school.  Nationally, SARS‑CoV‑2 concentrations are up about 30 percent over the last month, with the Gulf Coast roughly double early‑June levels, according to CDC’s National Wastewater Surveillance System. Wast…
CDC Flags 40-State COVID Growth As Omicron Offshoot Variant Drives Summer Spike CDC Flags 40-State COVID Growth As Omicron Offshoot Variant Drives Summer Spike
CDC Flags 40-State COVID Growth As Omicron Offshoot Variant Drives Summer Spike Fueled by a fast-growing new variant, COVID-19 infections are regaining ground just as summer travel peaks. New CDC transmission estimates released Friday, Aug. 1 show the effective reproduction number, or Rt, above one in 40 states, meaning overall US infections are again expanding. In 28 states the agency assigns its highest confidence category — “growing” — while another 12 fall into the “likely growing” bucket. No state is currently classified as declining, and nine are holding steady. For more info, view the CDC's interactive map here, and click on a specific state. Nationally, the R…
Measles Cases In US Approaches 25-Year High As CDC Confirms 27 Outbreaks Measles Cases In US Approaches 25-Year High As CDC Confirms 27 Outbreaks
Measles Cases In US Approaches 25-Year High As CDC Confirms 27 Outbreaks America has reached another grim milestone as the number of confirmed cases of the measles hit a record high since the US declared the disease "under control" decades ago. A total of 1,267 confirmed measles cases have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 38 states and jurisdictions — more than triple the number reported in all of 2024, according to the agency's latest report. At least 27 outbreaks (defined as three or more connected cases) have been reported so far this year, with 88 percent of cases (1,115 of 1,267) linked to outbreaks, health officials …
EXCLUSIVE: 6-Year-Olds Hit By Meningitis—1 Dead, 1 Disabled—Despite Vaccination; GSK Responds EXCLUSIVE: 6-Year-Olds Hit By Meningitis—1 Dead, 1 Disabled—Despite Vaccination; GSK Responds
Exclusive: 6-Year-Olds Hit By Meningitis—1 Dead, 1 Disabled—Despite Vaccination; GSK Responds Two 6-year-old girls from Pennsylvania have been tragically impacted by meningitis — one fatally, one left unable to walk or speak — despite both being previously vaccinated, their families say. Now, the pharmaceutical giant GSK is responding to rising public concern. Aria, of Berks County, died earlier in June after a rare and severe meningitis infection despite being fully vaccinated, according to her family. Just days later, another child — Ruby Lutz of Morrisville (Bucks County) — was diagnosed with viral meningitis and encephalitis. Ruby survived, but the illness robbed her of the …
New Travel Warning Issued By CDC As Measles Cases Rise New Travel Warning Issued By CDC As Measles Cases Rise
New Travel Warning Issued By CDC As Measles Cases Rise The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is urging travelers to take precautions because measles cases are rising throughout the world. More international travelers are getting infected with the highly contagious respiratory illness that spreads to others through coughing and sneezing, the agency says. Most people who bring measles into the United States are unvaccinated US residents who get infected during international travel, said the CDC. Cases are rising in many countries around the world. In the United States, 42 new cases have been reported in the last week, mainly among…
US Measles Cases Surge Past 1,000 As CDC Reports 14 Outbreaks US Measles Cases Surge Past 1,000 As CDC Reports 14 Outbreaks
US Measles Cases Surge Past 1,000 As CDC Reports 14 Outbreaks America reached a grim milestone this week as the number of confirmed measles cases across the country has soared past 1,000, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A total of 1,001 confirmed measles cases have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by 31 states and jurisdictions — more than triple the number reported in all of 2024, according to the agency's latest report. At least 14 outbreaks (defined as three or more connected cases) have been reported so far this year, with 93 percent of cases (928 of 1,001) linked to outbreaks,…
Measles Surge: Nearly 1,000 Cases Reported In US As Outbreaks Explode Measles Surge: Nearly 1,000 Cases Reported In US As Outbreaks Explode
Measles Surge: Nearly 1,000 Cases Reported In US As Outbreaks Explode Measles is making a disturbing comeback in the United States — and it's spreading faster than health officials have seen in years. A total of 935 confirmed measles cases have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by 30 states and jurisdictions — more than triple the number reported in all of 2024, according to the agency's latest report. At least 12 outbreaks (three or more connected cases) have been reported so far this year. A staggering 93 percent of cases (869 of 935) are linked to outbreaks, according to the CDC. For comparison, 2024 saw 285 total cases…
Measles Case Confirmed In Person Who Rode Amtrak Train From New York Measles Case Confirmed In Person Who Rode Amtrak Train From New York
Measles Case Confirmed In Person Who Rode Amtrak Train From New York A person with a confirmed measles case may have exposed Amtrak passengers on a recent train trip. An infected passenger with a rare breakthrough infection may have exposed others during the trip last week between New York City and Washington, DC, health officials say. The vaccinated person from Minnesota became infected while traveling abroad after returning to the US, boarded the train from NYC before becoming sick several days after arriving in DC. DC Health said the person visited multiple locations in DC while contagious.  Amtrak is contacting passengers who may have been exposed…
New Surge In Flu Cases Reported Nationwide; These States Are Seeing Biggest Spikes New Surge In Flu Cases Reported Nationwide; These States Are Seeing Biggest Spikes
New Surge In Flu Cases Reported Nationwide; These States Are Seeing Biggest Spikes Flu cases are surging across the nation, closing nearly a dozen schools and swamping hospitals in some states. At least 24 million cases, 310,000 hospitalizations, and 13,000 deaths —including 57 children —have been reported for this flu season, which began in October, according to data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Friday, Feb. 7. The two strains of flu circulating this season are H1N1 and H3N2. Both are covered in this year's flu vaccine, but only about 40 percent of Americans have taken the vaccine each of the last two years, compared to 50 percent t…
Respiratory Illnesses Rising Dramatically In These States: Brand-New Map Respiratory Illnesses Rising Dramatically In These States: Brand-New Map
Respiratory Illnesses Rising Dramatically In These States: Brand-New Map Respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, influenza, and RSV, are surging across the United States, with healthcare systems feeling the strain as more people seek care for these conditions.  The CDC reported on Monday, Jan. 13 that the nation is experiencing high levels of acute respiratory illnesses, with young children and older adults particularly affected. COVID-19 activity has increased in most areas, fueled by rising emergency department visits, elevated lab test positivity, and high levels of virus detected in wastewater.  Influenza remains widespread, while RSV activity …
'Tripledemic' Threat: COVID-19, Flu, RSV Surging This Season 'Tripledemic' Threat: COVID-19, Flu, RSV Surging This Season
'Tripledemic' Threat: Covid-19, Flu, RSV Surging This Season The United States is experiencing a rise in respiratory illnesses, commonly referred to as a “tripledemic,” involving COVID-19, influenza (flu), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As of Friday, Jan. 3, the amount of acute respiratory illness causing people to seek healthcare is high and continues to increase nationally, the agency said. COVID-19 cases are increasing nationwide, with the XEC variant—a mix of earlier Omicron strains—now accounting for about 45 percent of cases.  Symptoms include congestion, cough, fe…
COVID-19: Virus Levels Now Surging In These States COVID-19: Virus Levels Now Surging In These States
Covid-19: Virus Levels Now Surging In These States Parts of the nation are experiencing a notable increase in COVID-19 cases, raising concerns among health officials. The increase in activity picked up just ahead of the holiday season. Experts attribute this resurgence to several factors, including the emergence of new variants. The XEC variant, an off-shoot of the highly contagious Omicron strain, now accounts for 45 percent of cases in the US after first being identified in Europe, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  States with "very high" current wastewater viral activity are shown in the darker sh…
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…