Category: Health Updates
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South Africa suspends AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines after study finds limited impact on variant
South Africa has temporarily suspended use of a coronavirus vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University after preliminary findings showed the jab had little impact on curbing mild-to-moderate illness due to a variant strain. The announcement from South Africa’s Health Minister Dr. Zweli Mkhize on Sunday followed shortly after the country received 1 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which was…
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New variants raise worry about COVID-19 virus reinfections
Evidence is mounting that having COVID-19 may not protect against getting infected again with some of the new variants. People also can get second infections with earlier versions of the coronavirus if they mounted a weak defense the first time, new research suggests. How long immunity lasts from natural infection is one of the big…
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Moderna COVID-19 vaccine ‘not recommended’ for pregnant women
The World Health Organization (WHO) this week said that it does not recommend pregnant women receive the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at this time. “While pregnancy puts women at a higher risk of severe COVID-19, the use of this vaccine in pregnant women is currently not recommended,” unless they are at a high risk of exposure to the…
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Vending machines selling COVID tests for nearly $150 each launching in US cities
Soon, Americans will be able to get a COVID test as easily as buying a snack — albeit a much more expensive snack. Vending machines dispensing at-home COVID-19 tests for $149 apiece will soon debut in cities like New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston and Dallas from health company Wellness 4 Humanity. The company behind the home test…
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Pregnant women should receive COVID-19 vaccine, Israel Ministry of Health says
Israel will begin vaccinating pregnant women against COVID-19 after several medical groups within the country’s health ministry stressed the risks the virus poses to pregnancy. The news comes amid reports of 10 pregnant women being listed in serious condition due to the illness. On Tuesday, the Israeli Association of Obstetrics and Gynecology along with physicians from the National Council…
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Chinese scientists develop gene therapy which could delay aging
Scientists in Beijing have developed a new gene therapy that can reverse some of the effects of aging in mice and extend their lifespans, findings which may one day contribute to similar treatment for humans. The method, detailed in a paper in the Science Translational Medicine journal earlier this month, involves inactivating a gene called…
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FDA warns UK coronavirus variant may result in false-negative tests
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday issued an alert about the impact viral mutations of the coronavirus may have, including the potential to result in false negative tests. The variant, B.1.1.7 was first discovered in the U.K. several weeks ago, and has been confirmed in over 50 cases in the U.S. so far. “The Food…
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European regulator endorses Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine, commission approval coming at ‘full speed’
Europe’s regulatory agency endorsed Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine for those 18 and up on Wednesday, paving the way for a second vaccine to roll out among member states. The approval still faces a final decision by the European Commission. “[European Medicines Agency] EMA’s human medicines committee (CHMP) has thoroughly assessed the data on the quality, safety and efficacy of the vaccine…
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South African coronavirus variant is more transmissible but not more sever
A mutated form of COVID-19 first identified in South Africa is indeed more transmissible but, at this time, does not appear to cause more severe disease, an infectious disease expert who is helping to advise the country’s health minister said. The South African virus variant, known as 501Y.V2, has sparked serious concern, and the strain has already…
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South African coronavirus variant ‘very significant problem,’ UK health secretary says
Britain’s health secretary on Monday warned that the coronavirus variant first detected in South Africa is a “very significant problem” and poses more of a risk than others. Matt Hancock told BBC radio that he’s “incredibly worried” about the new variant as others questioned whether currently approved vaccines would be effective against it. “I’m incredibly worried…
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