The Food and Drug Administration is asking an expert advisory panel to consider the frequency with which people should be boosted against COVID-19 and what those boosters should look like. The FDA also recommended that all vaccines, including initial and boosters, should address the same variants from now on.
Tag: COVID
Covid in China: US imposes Covid testing for visitors from China
In order to join other countries in imposing limitations due to an increase in infections, the U.S. issued additional COVID-19 testing requirements for all travelers from China on Wednesday. Following China’s tight anti-virus measures being relaxed, the number of instances has increased throughout the country. China’s “zero COVID” regulations had reduced the country’s infection rate, but they also stifled economic progress and fueled public resentment. Travelers are subject to the new U.S. restrictions, which take effect on January 5, regardless of their country or vaccination history.
Novak Djokovic Returns to Australia ahead of Open
One year after being deported for refusing to be vaccinated against Covid-19, former world number one and nine-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic stepped on Australian soil again on Tuesday.
The Serbian tennis champion had last set foot in Australia 12 months ago, claiming he had obtained a medical exemption to enter the country without being vaccinated because he had recently recovered from Covid-19. However, Australian border officials said at the time that he did not meet the requirements to be exempted from strict vaccination rules and he was detained for five days while pursuing an ultimately fruitless legal appeal.
Children’s Medication Shortage Causes Drug Stores to Limit Purchases
Parents looking for cold, flu, and fever medications for their kids are finding increasingly emptier shelves. With pediatric experts stating that this holiday season the demand for children’s respiratory treatments increased by over 65% that of last December, some drugstore chains are limiting purchases of products to alleviate RSV, influenza, and COVID-19 symptoms.
Why the Biden Administration is Suspending Free Mail-Order Covid Tests
In the wake of the Covid-19 Pandemic, the US government began the development and distribution of Covid vaccines and tests. Now, the majority of the population has either caught, or knows somebody who has caught the virus. However, despite the high frequency, or perhaps because of it, the government has announced that they will no longer be giving away free Covid tests through the mail.
Shortages Of Teachers Nationwide Sparks Panic
Upon searching “teacher shortage” on the internet, one can find a news report from almost every single US state outlining the current crisis relating to thousands of abandoned teaching positions across the country, with districts beginning to worry as the first day of school grows closer.
New Covid-19 Strain Recorded, Causing Night Sweats
If you assumed that you were in the clear from contracting Covid-19 because your symptoms don’t align with what the CDC has announced, or you already had the virus recently– think again. The BA.5 subvariant of Omicron is said to be highly contagious and able to reinfect individuals only weeks after they tested positive for Covid, making it extremely difficult for scientists to study track in terms of how this variant differs from prior strains. Luckily, the two primary symptoms that defined the beginning of the pandemic, a loss of taste and smell, have not visibly returned. However, there is a new symptom that has been present in many BA.5 cases which may be worse than a runny nose and sore throat— night sweats.
President Biden Tests Positive For Covid-19
This morning, President Joe Biden has announced that he tested positive for the Covid-19 virus, experiencing mild symptoms and quarantining currently in the White House. While Biden is 79 years old, putting him at an increased risk for more extreme side effects, he has stated that he is quadruple vaxxed, receiving both doses of the vaccine as well as two booster shots. Luckily, President Biden does not seem to be too affected by his positive diagnosis, sharing that he will remain isolated until next Tuesday and will use this time to “get a lot of work done,” considering he had to cancel a scheduled trip to Pennsylvania this week. Currently, President Biden has no fever, and it has been shared by the President’s physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, that he has a runny nose, fatigue, and an occasional dry cough.
Covid Vaccine Administered in Children Under 5
While the first doses of the Covid vaccine were widely administered in adults over a year ago in the spring of 2021, with children over 5 finally receiving vaccines in the fall and winter of last year as well, the time has come for the youngest of our population to finally be protected against the Covid virus that has plagued us for over two years now. Following the official FDA approval, children between the ages of 6 months and five years are now eligible to be vaccinated with either the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, with three doses for Pfizer and two for Moderna. Children receiving Pfizer will be given three doses of 3 micrograms, compared to the two doses of 30 micrograms that adults get.
Anti-Vaccine Doctor Sentenced to Prison for Capitol Attack
Doctor Simone Gold, a former doctor from Beverly Hills, has been sentenced to jail for her role in the January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Gold has been known for spreading misinformation and anti-vaccine rhetoric concerning Covid-19. She was sentenced to serve 60 days in prison for entering the Capitol building illegally.
Moderna and Pfizer Allow 6 Month Old
Babies To Get COVID-19 Vaccine
The Food and Drug Administration’s committee of independent vaccine experts voted Wednesday to recommend authorizing both Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for children up to 6 months or older. Moderna’s vaccine is for children ages 6 months to 5 years, while Pfizer’s is for children ages 6 months to 4 years.
What is Monkeypox, and should Americans be concerned?
While the Covid-19 pandemic is beginning to wind down after more than two years of quarantine, mask mandates, and social distancing, the last thing Americans want is another disease to be concerned about. However, reports of rising cases of monkeypox— a virus related to smallpox— may lead to unnecessary worry.
