COVID-19

Only 45% of older U.S. adults plan to get updated COVID vaccines --poll

Mon, 2024-09-23 17:54 — mike kraft

Only 45% of Americans age 50 and older say they're likely to get the updated COVID-19 vaccine this season, according to a poll today from the University of Michigan.

The poll shows many at high risk of severe illness appear unlikely to seek the vaccine, and interest in an updated vaccine varies widely by age-group, education level, and other factors.

The results come from the National Poll on Healthy Aging conducted in August. At the time of polling, new COVID vaccines were not yet widely available, but they had been approved for use and endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Common diabetes drug may lower rate of long COVID --study

Fri, 2024-09-20 10:36 — mike kraft

Common diabetes drug linked to lower rate of long COVID Metformin is the most common type 2 diabetes drug prescribed to millions of American each year, and a new study from researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) published in Diabetes Care suggests the drug can lower the risk of developing long COVID, or post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), in diabetics. CIDRAP

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Metformin lowers blood sugar and is most commonly prescribed as a first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes. The drug also is prescribed off-label for weight loss and other metabolic conditions.

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WHO's Global COVID-19 epidemiological update --new cases up in August

Thu, 2024-09-19 10:22 — mike kraft

COVID-19 epidemiological update – 17 September 2024 Edition 171

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Globally, during the 28-day period (22 July to 18 August 2024), the number of new cases and deaths increased by 23% and 44% compared to the previous 28-day period (24 June to 18 August 2024), with 238 000 new cases reported across 91 (39%) countries and about 4400 new fatalities reported across 35 (15%) countries, respectively. As of 22 July to 18 August 2024, over 776 million confirmed cases and more than seven million deaths have been reported globally since the beginning of pandemic.

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Republican Congressman, a doctor, calls vaccine access for children and elderly "criticaly important"

Wed, 2024-09-18 14:27 — mike kraft

Rep. Bucshon calls vaccine access for children, elderly ‘critically important’

Vaccine access of Americans, especially for children and the elderly, is “critically important,” Rep. Larry Bucshon (R-IN) said Tuesday.

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The congressman said his biggest concern about the surviving vaccine hesitancy from the pandemic is how it has spilled over into childhood vaccinations for diseases like the measles and mumps.

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Machine-learning to allocate monoclonal antibody treatment in pandemic could cut hospital cases by a third --study

Wed, 2024-09-18 13:30 — mike kraft

Machine-learning monoclonal antibody allocation in pandemic could cut hospital cases by a third If drugs and medical treatments are in short supply during a pandemic, a new model shows how machine learning can help decide how to distribute medicines and reduce hospitalizations by up to 27%. CIDRAP

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COVID-19 rates oscillate every six months in the US -- new study

Wed, 2024-09-18 12:47 — mike kraft

COVID-19 rates oscillate every six months in the US, new study shows COVID-19 cases in the U.S. have shown unexpected oscillating waves every six months between the southern states and the northern states and, to a lesser degree, from east to west, according to research ... University of Pittsburgh Medical Xpress

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New XEC Covid Variant Spreads To 27 Countries

Wed, 2024-09-18 12:40 — mike kraft

New XEC Covid Variant Spreads To 27 Countries, Here's What We Know So Far Scientists have warned that a "more contagious" variant of Covid-19, dubbed XEC, is spreading more rapidly across Europe and could soon become the dominant strain. NDTV.com

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How COVID-19 infection can cause or worsen diabetes --new study

Tue, 2024-09-17 10:03 — mike kraft

Study reveals how COVID-19 infection can cause or worsen diabetes Researchers from Weill Cornell Medicine have used a cutting-edge model system to uncover the mechanism by which SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, induces new cases of diabetes, and worsens complications ...

Researchers from Weill Cornell Medicine have used a cutting-edge model system to uncover the mechanism by which SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, induces new cases of diabetes, and worsens complications in people who already have it. The team found that viral exposure activates immune cells that in turn destroy beta cells, the pancreatic cells that produce insulin.

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Climate change extreme heat puts people at greater risk of kidney disease

Tue, 2024-09-17 09:43 — mike kraft

Extreme heat due to climate crisis puts people at greater risk of kidney disease Researchers are finding heat-related illnesses can also contribute to heart disease and cognitive impairment The Guardian

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Florida official discourages use of mRNA Covid vaccines in older adults in another disputed claim

Mon, 2024-09-16 12:16 — mike kraft

Florida health director discourages use of mRNA Covid vaccines in older adults

Even as the Covid wave in Florida continues, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration is once again advising against the mRNA vaccines: this time in the most vulnerable residents.

In updated guidance for health care providers released Thursday, the Florida Health Department and state Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo questioned the safety and effectiveness of the mRNA Covid vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, including for older adults and people with underlying health problems. “Any provider concerned about the health risks associated with Covid-19 for patients over the age of 65 or with underlying health conditions should prioritize patient access to non-mRNA Covid-19 vaccines and treatment,” according to the state guidance.high rates of immunity from prior infections and “currently available data.”

Dr. Paul Offit, a vaccine expert at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, said the Florida surgeon general's guidance is unnecessarily alarming people about the Covid vaccines.

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