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Showing posts from July, 2020

How Many Physicians Have Opted Out of the Medicare Program?

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peter doshi :: Article Creator New Research Reports On Financial Entanglements Between FDA Chiefs And The Drug Industry An investigation published by The BMJ today raises concerns about financial entanglements between US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) chiefs and the drug and medical device companies they are responsible for regulating. Regulations prohibit FDA employees from holding financial interests in any FDA "significantly regulated organization" and the FDA says it takes conflicts of interest seriously, but Peter Doshi, senior editor at The BMJ, finds that financial interests with the drug industry are common among its leaders. Doshi reports that nine of the FDA's past 10 commissioners went on to work for the drug industry or serve on the board of directors of a drug company. That includes Margaret Hamburg, who led FDA between 2009 and 2015, but whose story is less well known. Like her colleagues, Margaret Hamburg h

When a Vaccine Arrives, People Will Ignore the Anti-Vaxxers - The Atlantic

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S cientists are remarkably optimistic about their ability to develop a safe and effective vaccine for the coronavirus within the next six to 12 months. But even if those hopes come true, it is far from obvious that enough people will be willing to take the vaccine to halt the pandemic. Long before COVID-19 arrived, a worrying number of parents refused to immunize their children against measles. The new virus has inspired an even louder movement of science deniers: Americans who have embraced quack remedies, ridiculed social-distancing measures, and decried masks as tyrannical. Could they stage a successful revolt against a mass-vaccination campaign? It certainly seems possible. In a recent CBS News poll , half the respondents said they would wait before getting a vaccine; 20 percent said they would refuse it altogether. And so a growing number of articles warn about the possibility that, even once a safe and effective vaccine is available, America may fail to reach herd immunity

Fauci: US Preparing For Quick Distribution Of Vaccine Once It Is Approved : Coronavirus Live Updates - NPR

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Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, listens during a House subcommittee hearing on Friday. Kevin Dietsch/AP hide caption toggle caption Kevin Dietsch/AP Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, listens during a House subcommittee hearing on Friday. Kevin Dietsch/AP Updated at 4:15 p.m. ET A coronavirus vaccine could be ready for distribution by the end of the year, and distributed to Americans in 2021, the nation's top infectious disease specialist told lawmakers Friday. While it typically takes years to develop vaccines, new technologies, the lack of bureaucratic red tape and the human body's robust immune response to COVID-19 have hastened the process, Dr. Anthony Fauci said. "From everything we've seen now — in the animal data, as well as the human data — we feel cautiously optimistic that we will have a vaccine by the end of this year and as

Texas child vaccination rates down significantly during COVID pandemic, report says - Houston Chronicle

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The summer months are typically the busiest of the year in Dr. Kenya Parks’ office, a steady flow of parents trotting in their little ones to receive immunizations required for school attendance. But the numbers are way down this year, one more casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s quite noticeable,” said Parks, a pediatrician with UTHealth and UT Physicians, the practice of doctors at the University of Texas’ McGovern Medical School in Houston. “Parents who usually pack our offices around now instead are putting off or canceling or just not showing up for appointments. They’re scared.” Such fear is a primary reason for an average 44 percent drop in the number of doses administered in the Texas Vaccines for Children program during the early months of the pandemic, according to a new state report. The trend puts Texas at risk of vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks at a time it can least afford it. The drop is particularly high for immunizations for measles — 55 percent — the

Early coronavirus drug trials tested vaccines mostly on White people; next phase aims for diversity - CNBC

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Dado Ruvic | Reuters With chronic asthma, food allergies and a heart condition, Thomas Silvera does everything he can to safeguard his health, including getting vaccines. So if and when a Covid-19 vaccine becomes available, he said, he's leaning toward getting that, too. But before vaccines reach the market, they go through wide-scale testing for safety and efficacy. The first two trials in the U.S. officially started Monday, from drug companies  Moderna  and Pfizer . Silvera, 44, said he's less likely to try a vaccine as part of a clinical trial. "I would wait for a more robust data analysis," said Silvera, who is a certified surgical technologist. He noted he'd especially want to know the long-term effects for people with asthma first. Thomas Silvera, patient advocate and Pres. & CEO of the Elijah-Alavi Foundation Source: Thomas Silvera As someone with pre-existing health conditions and who is both African American and Hispanic, Silver

Does Data Improve Vaccine Adherence? - Contagionlive.com

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[embedded content] New data from an Israel-based team of investigators show the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) pre- and post-market evaluations of new vaccine candidates has resulted in a largely sound and efficient system of regulation. The findings, from Noam Tau, MD, of the Sheba Medical Center Department of Diagnostic Imaging, show that just 1 FDA-approved vaccine has been pulled from the market due to early detected safety concerns since 1996—while all other instances of post-approval safety outcomes were of little to no clinical impact on patients. This new research comes on the heels of rapid progression of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine candidates, as well as recent polls and surveys showing a polarized public interest in receiving a potential COVID-19 vaccine or not. Could data like that from Tau’s team persuade those who are still uncertain of vaccines? It depends, Tau told Contagion® . “The big question is whether large population cares about facts, or s

US sinks another $2.1 billion into a potential vaccine - ABC News

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Pharma giants GlaxoSmithKline and Sanofi Pasteur say they will supply 100 million doses of an experimental COVID-19 vaccine to the United States as governments buy up supplies in hopes of securing a candidate that works By DANICA KRKA Associated Press July 31, 2020, 4:47 PM 3 min read Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Email this article LONDON -- Pharma giants GlaxoSmithKline and Sanofi Pasteur have announced they will supply 100 million doses of an experimental COVID-19 vaccine to the United States as governments buy up supplies in hopes of securing a candidate that works. The United States will pay up to $2.1 billion “for development including clinical trials, manufacturing, scale-up and delivery" of the vaccine, the two companies based in Europe said in a statement. Sanofi will get the bulk of the funds. The U.S. government has a further option for the supply of an additional 500 million doses longer term as part of its Operation Warp Speed progra

21 researchers test experimental COVID-19 vaccine on selves, post how-to guide for public - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

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Department of Health Encourages Residents to Make Vaccinations a Priority - Cape May County Herald

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TRENTON - In honor of National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM), the Department of Health is reminding New Jerseyans that they have the power to protect themselves against serious, potentially deadly vaccine-preventable diseases by receiving routine immunizations.  According to a release, the department encourages individuals to talk to their doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional to ensure that their and families are up to date on recommended vaccines. “It’s critical to ensure that routine vaccination is maintained during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to protect individuals and communities from vaccine-preventable diseases and outbreaks,” stated Health Commissioner Judith M. Persichilli. “Routine vaccination prevents illnesses that lead to additional medical visits, hospitalizations, and place further strain on the healthcare system.” While many serious diseases are no longer common in the United States due to the success of vaccines, these diseases still

Global Hepatitis A Vaccine Market 2020 - Key Regions, Company Profile, Opportunity and Challenge 2025 - Research Newspaper

Brand Essence Market Research has recently developed a report on the ‘Hepatitis A Vaccine market’ which presents substantial inputs about the market size, market share, regional trends, and profit projection of this business sphere. The report also enlightens users regarding the foremost challenges and existing growth tactics implemented by the leading organizations that constitute the dynamic competitive gamut of this industry. Hepatitis A Vaccine Market Size Covers Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, CAGR, Trends, Forecast And Business Opportunity. Download Premium Sample of the Report: https://ift.tt/2tvJXTg In this report, our team offers a thorough investigation of Hepatitis A Vaccine Market, SWOT examination of the most prominent players right now. Alongside an industrial chain, market measurements regarding revenue, sales, value, capacity, regional market examination, section insightful information, and market forecast are offered in the full investigation, and so forth.

Most parents of unvaccinated teens have no intention of getting HPV vaccine for their kids, study finds - The Spokesman-Review

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The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has been proven to prevent certain types of oral and genital cancers and other health problems. However, in a study published this week in Lancet Public Health, researchers found that more than half of the parents of adolescents who have not received the HPV vaccine had no intention to initiate the vaccine series for their children. Using data from a nationally representative survey of U.S. adolescents, the study authors estimated national-level and state-level parental intent to initiate and complete the HPV vaccine series for their kids. In states including Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and Utah, more than 65% of parents of unvaccinated adolescents had no intention to initiate the HPV vaccine series. According to the most recent data by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Wyoming and Mississippi have the lowest HPV vaccine rates at roughly 50%. The new study found that of parents of unvaccinated adolescents in t

Health leaders remind parents of vaccination requirements via ‘Don’t Wait, Vaccinate!’ campaign - WWBT NBC12 News

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“Vaccines help to maintain herd immunity and protect children against rare and preventable outbreaks of disease that can occur when children don’t receive vaccinations,” said Dr. Danny Avula, Director of the Richmond & Henrico Health Districts. “By following the recommended immunization schedule, parents and guardians are protecting their children against serious illnesses not only now, but for the rest of their lives.”

Old Vaccines May Stop the Coronavirus, Study Hints. Scientists Are Skeptical. - The New York Times

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Billions of dollars are being invested in the development of vaccines against the coronavirus. Until one arrives, many scientists have turned to tried-and-true vaccines to see whether they may confer broad protection, and may reduce the risk of coronavirus infection, as well. Old standbys like the Bacille Calmette-Guerin tuberculosis vaccine and the polio vaccine appear to help train the immune system to respond to a broad variety of infections , including from bacteria, viruses and parasites, experts say. Now a study suggests that people who have received certain routine vaccines in the recent past — including childhood vaccinations like measles-mumps-rubella and polio, as well as adult flu vaccines — have lower coronavirus infection rates than those not recently vaccinated. But many experts greeted the conclusions with skepticism. The paper, an analysis of electronic health records from the Mayo Clinic, was posted online; it has not been through the peer review process and has

A Vaccine is Coming: Can Employers Require Employees to Take it? - JD Supra

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As clinical trials continue across the world for a COVID-19 vaccine, many employers are asking whether they will be able to require employees to take the vaccine when it becomes available in the United States. Like with so many questions surrounding COVID-19, the answer is not entirely clear.  In general, employers can require vaccination as a term and condition of employment, but such practice is not without limitations or always recommended.  The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) has taken the position that employers can require employees to take influenza vaccines, for example, but emphasizes that employees “need to be properly informed of the benefits of vaccinations.”  OSHA also explains that “an employee who refuses vaccination because of a reasonable belief that he or she has a medical condition that creates a real danger of serious illness or death (such as a serious reaction to the vaccine) may be protected under Section 11(c) of the Occupational

Fire, health departments to hold vaccination drive Saturday in South Bend - South Bend Tribune

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SOUTH BEND — The St. Joseph County Department of Health and the South Bend Fire Department are teaming up to hold a vaccination drive as local schools prepare to resume for the upcoming school year. The drive-thru 'Vaccination Blitz' will take place Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at the Central Fire Station on Michigan Street in South Bend and is open to kindergartners, sixth graders and 12th graders.  The health and fire departments ask that participants bring their picture student identification, vaccination records and any applicable insurance information. Participants will also be required to wear a mask and observe social distancing guidelines. Those without insurance, or whose insurance does not fully cover vaccinations, will be charged a $12 administration fee. In November, The Tribune reported that 1,000 students in kindergarten, sixth grade and 12th grade in South Bend schools — 28% of the total in those grades — weren't up to date on immunizat

FCPS Still Requiring Mandatory Vaccinations Before School Starts - Reston Now

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Fairfax County confirmed it is still mandatory for all students enrolling in Fairfax County Public Schools to receive their required immunizations, despite the school year starting virtually. The county’s health department is providing nine additional community childhood vaccination clinics and encouraging families to take advantage of free vaccination opportunities before the start of the school year, according to the Fairfax County Emergency Information website . Required vaccinations protect against life-threatening illnesses such as polio, measles, whooping cough and chickenpox, according to the website. Additionally, incoming seventh-graders need a booster dose of the Tdap vaccine, and preteens need vaccines to protect against diseases such as HPV. Only a select number of appointments will be available at community vaccination clinics to ensure safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. To schedule an appointment, call 703-246-6010, TTY 711. Clinics encourage families to send a p

A vaccine targeting the RBD of the S protein of SARS-CoV-2 induces protective immunity - Nature.com

These authors contributed equally: Jingyun Yang, Wei Wang, Zimin Chen, Shuaiyao Lu, Fanli Yang, Zhenfei Bi, Linlin Bao Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, 610041, People’s Republic of China Jingyun Yang, Wei Wang, Zimin Chen, Fanli Yang, Zhenfei Bi, Fei Mo, Xue Li, Yong Huang, Weiqi Hong, Fei Ye, Sheng Lin, Hua Chen, Hong Lei, Ziqi Zhang, Min Luo, Yue Zheng, Yanqiu Gong, Xiaohua Jiang, Dan Li, Manni Wang, Li Yang, Hongxin Deng, Aiping Tong, Jiong Li, Zhenling Wang, Jinliang Yang, Guobo Shen, Zhiwei Zhao, Jingwen Luo, Panpan Lin, Wei Cheng, Xiangrong Song, Chong Chen, Zhihong Xue, Shaohua Yao, Lu Chen, Xuelei Ma, Siyuan Chen, Maling Gou, Lunzhi Dai, Min Wu, Yong Peng, Zhiyong Qian, Canhua Huang, Yuquan Wei, Xiaobo Cen, Guangwen Lu & Xiawei Wei Emergency Department, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy,

Public Health Experts Fear a Hasty FDA Signoff on Vaccine - Kaiser Health News

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This story also ran on HuffPost . This story can be republished for free ( details ). The vaccine trial that Vice President Mike Pence kicked off in Miami on Monday gives the United States the tiniest chance of being ready to vaccinate millions of Americans just before Election Day. It’s a possibility that fills many public health experts with dread. Among their concerns: Early evidence that any vaccine works would lead to political pressure from the administration for emergency approval by the Food and Drug Administration. That conflict between science and politics might cause some people to not trust the vaccine and refuse to take it, which would undermine the global campaign to stop the pandemic. Or it could lead to a product that is not fully protective. Confidence in routine childhood vaccinations, already shaken, could decline further. “The fear is that you wind up doing to a vaccine what [Trump has] already done with [opening] school,” said Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, a forme