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AstraZeneca's COVID Prevention Drug Application Gets EU Fast-Track Assessment

By Staff
Monday, July 8, 2024 8:02 AM AstraZeneca said on Monday that the European Union drug regulator has accepted a market authorization application for its investigational COVID-19 prevention drug, sipavibart, for an accelerated assessment.

Cold, Flu Virus Can Trigger Long COVID Relapses

By Staff
Friday, July 5, 2024 8:02 AM People who have recovered from long COVID can suffer relapses or flare-ups from new viral infections—not just from COVID but from cold, flu, and other viral pathogens, researchers have found.

A Key Indicator of COVID Just Spiked in the Western U.S.

By Staff
Friday, July 5, 2024 7:59 AM COVID-19 cases have been on the rise nationwide this summer, and now wastewater monitoring data suggests a further increase may be underway in the Western part of the U.S.

Medscape Physician Assistant Career Satisfaction Report 2024

By Staff
Tuesday, July 2, 2024 8:02 AM The majority of physicians assistants (PAs) expressed high career satisfaction. The physicians they work with treat them well, and they’re glad they became a PA. However, some reported ongoing challenges: lingering issues from the pandemic, lack of respect from physicians, challenging times ahead with the proposed title change, and a fight for greater practice autonomy.

No Increase in Birth Defects With First-Trimester COVID Shot

By Staff
Tuesday, July 2, 2024 6:09 AM Getting an mRNA COVID-19 shot during the first trimester of pregnancy didn't lead to an increased risk of major structural birth defects, a multi-site retrospective cohort study found.

CDC Advisors Back Updated COVID, Flu Vaccines for the Fall

By Staff
Monday, July 1, 2024 6:09 AM The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) endorsed new COVID-19 and influenza vaccines for the 2024-2025 respiratory virus season on Thursday.

U.S. CDC Recommends Updated COVID Vaccines for Those Aged Six Months and Older

By Staff
Friday, June 28, 2024 8:02 AM The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that individuals aged six months and older should be given an updated COVID-19 vaccine for the 2024-25 immunization campaign, irrespective of whether they have previously been vaccinated for the disease.

What to Know About the Current Summer COVID Wave

By Staff
Friday, June 28, 2024 7:59 AM Like clockwork, the summer resurgence of COVID-19 has become as expected as the changing of seasons.

COVID Is on the Rise Again

By Staff
Thursday, June 27, 2024 8:02 AM The annual summer surge of COVID-19 infections has begun, fueled by the spread of new variants. People congregating indoors to avoid extreme heat and an extremely busy July 4 travel period are expected to drive up infections.

How to Fix $1.6 Billion Long COVID Program: Experts Weigh In

By Staff
Wednesday, June 26, 2024 8:02 AM When the National Institutes of Health (NIH) launched a $1 billion dollar research effort in 2021 focused on long COVID, hopes were high that it would lead to some answers for the mysterious riddle of the complex condition. Now, more than 3 years later and with total funding of about $1.6 billion, critics contend the federal government has little to show for its efforts.

Cannabis Use Tied to Increased Risk of Severe COVID

By Staff
Tuesday, June 25, 2024 8:02 AM Cannabis use was significantly associated with a greater risk of severe outcomes following a COVID-19 infection, according to a retrospective study that spanned the first 2 years of the pandemic.

COVID Pandemic May Have Disrupted Cervical Cancer Screenings

By Staff
Monday, June 24, 2024 8:02 AM New research found women aged 21-65 years who were due for a Papanicolaou (Pap) test to screen for cervical cancer were about 30% less likely in 2022 to report having received one in the past year than women were in 2019. The likelihood of Pap testing in the past year did not differ between 2019 and 2020, during the early part of the pandemic.

U.S. Government to Fund Up to $500 Million for Studies on Oral, Nasal COVID Vaccines

By Staff
Friday, June 21, 2024 8:02 AM The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said on Thursday it will provide up to $500 million for mid-stage trials evaluating vaccines administered as a nasal spray or pill to protect against symptomatic COVID-19.

Prenatal Maternal Distress During Pandemic Tied to Newborn Brain Development

By Staff
Friday, June 21, 2024 6:09 AM Left amygdalar volumes were smaller in newborns whose mothers had high psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic, a small cross-sectional study suggested.

We Won't Solve Long COVID Until We Decide What It Is

By Staff
Thursday, June 20, 2024 8:02 AM Welcome to Impact Factor, your weekly dose of commentary on a new medical study. I'm Dr F. Perry Wilson of the Yale School of Medicine. I want to help people suffering from long COVID as much as anyone. But we have a real problem. In brief, we are being too inclusive. The first thing you learn, when you start studying the epidemiology of diseases, is that you need a good case definition. And our case definition for long COVID sucks.