Children's toys 'excessively' coated in lead, other chemicals seized by US officials
A shipment of children’s toys coated in dangerously high levels of lead, cadmium and barium and bound for the U.S. was seized this month, CBP said.
Pfizer says COVID-19 vaccine more than 90% effective in kids 5-11
Pfizer says its COVID-19 vaccine is more than 90% effective at protecting elementary school-age kids from infection, ahead of a public review.
COVID-19 vaccines: CDC OKs Moderna, J&J and mix-and-match boosters
The CDC has signed off on Moderna and J&J COVID-19 booster shots. The agency is allowing the flexibility of “mixing and matching" the extra dose.
Pfizer says COVID-19 booster restores vaccine efficacy to 95.6%
Pfizer shared results from its Phase 3 trial of its COVID-19 vaccine booster, saying the third dose showed 95.6% efficacy against symptomatic disease.
US unemployment claims fall to 290,000, a new pandemic low
Unemployment claims in the U.S. reached another pandemic low last week, declining to 290,000.
Montgomery County gearing up child COVID-19 vaccine plan; 'Test To Stay' program imminent
Montgomery County health officials are gearing up their COVID-19 vaccine plan for children and are continuing to work on a plan to keep students out of quarantine and in the classroom.
Children's mental health has become national emergency amid pandemic, health experts declare
The COVID-19 pandemic has been hard on everyone, and children are no exception. In fact, things have become so difficult for kids, a group of influential health experts declared a national emergency in children’s mental health.
NFL agrees to end race-based dementia testing in $1B settlement proposal
The revised testing plan follows public outrage over the use of “race-norming,” a practice that came to light only after two former NFL players filed a civil rights lawsuit over it in 2019.
Interferon does not help hospitalized COVID-19 patients, NIH study finds
A recent National Institutes of Health trial published on Monday highlights the failure of a COVID-19 treatment known as interferon beta-1a, a medicine with both antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties.
Pregnant women express regret about not getting COVID-19 vaccine
Two women from Georgia and Alabama who contracted COVID-19 during their pregnancies are urging other pregnant women to get vaccinated.
FDA OKs mixing COVID-19 vaccines, approves Moderna, J&J boosters
U.S. regulators are extending COVID-19 boosters to Americans who got the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine. They also said Wednesday anyone eligible for an extra dose can get a brand different from the one they received initially.
Gates Foundation to spend $120M on access to Merck’s antiviral COVID-19 pill
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation says it will spend $120 million to boost access to generic versions of drugmaker Merck’s antiviral COVID-19 pill for lower income countries, if the drug gets approved by regulators.
COVID-19 vaccine mandates won’t impact holiday travel, White House task force says
This news comes as many airlines and businesses require their staff to become vaccinated against COVID-19.
US details plans to roll out COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11
Kids aged 5 to 11 will soon be able to get a COVID-19 vaccine, and the White House is detailing plans for the expected authorization of the Pfizer shot.
CDC to continue recommending masks in all schools, Walensky says
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the CDC, said officials will “continue to recommend masks in all schools for all people in those schools.” The reason: time.
Maryland Rep. Andy Harris prescribes ivermectin to patient diagnosed with COVID-19
Maryland Rep. Andy Harris, who is a physician, prescribed ivermectin to a patient who was diagnosed with COVID-19, his office confirmed Tuesday night.
Montgomery County hearing on proposal that would require all employees be COVID-19 vaccinated
A public hearing is expected to be held in Montgomery County Tuesday on a proposal that would require all county employees be vaccinated against COVID-19.
CDC: Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine 93% effective at preventing hospitalization in ages 12-18
Between June 1 and Sept. 30 of this year, the CDC performed a case-controlled study of Pfizer’s vaccine in adolescents at 19 pediatric hospitals in 16 states, according to the study published on Tuesday.
COVID-19 boosters: US expected to authorize mix-and-match shots
The FDA is expected to authorize the mixing and matching of COVID-19 booster shots this week in an effort to provide flexibility, the AP reports.
FDA unveils proposal for over-the-counter hearing aids
The move follows years of pressure from medical experts and consumer advocates to make the devices cheaper and easier to get.