Category: Health News

South Africa to Vaccinate Health Care Workers With J&J COVID-19 Vaccine as Part of ‘Implementation Study’

South Africa will move forward with its phase one vaccination program to inoculate its health care workers with the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine, though the vaccine has not been granted an emergency authorization usage. Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said on Feb. 10 that the country could no longer wait to immunize its health…


48 Senators Vow To Oppose Any Legislation That Funds Abortion

Nearly half of the U.S. Senate on Friday vowed to block any spending bills that fund abortion. Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), founder and chair of the Senate Pro-Life Caucus, sent a letter with 47 other senators to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), promising to oppose legislation that would fund abortion without the inclusion of…


Study Finds AstraZeneca Vaccine Mostly Effective Against UK CCP Virus Variant

The AstraZeneca CCP virus vaccine has been found to be mostly effective against the United Kingdom variant, according to preliminary data published on Feb. 4. The B.1.1.7 variant has been responsible for most CCP virus cases in the United Kingdom after it first emerged in the country last November. The variant has also been detected…


Study Finds AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine Protects Against UK Variant

The AstraZeneca vaccine has been found to be mostly effective against the United Kingdom variant of the CCP virus, according to preliminary data published on Feb. 4. The B.1.1.7 variant has been responsible for most CCP virus cases in the United Kingdom after it first emerged in the country last November. The variant has also…


AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine Protects Against UK Variant, Study Finds

The AstraZeneca vaccine has been found to be mostly effective against the United Kingdom variant of the CCP virus, according to preliminary data published on Feb. 4. The B.1.1.7 variant has been responsible for most CCP virus cases in the United Kingdom after it first emerged in the country last November. The variant has also…


People Who Recovered From COVID-19 Should Receive Only 1 Dose of Vaccine: Study

Amid reports of vaccine shortages occurring around the world, a new study [pdf] suggests that people who have already had COVID-19 should get only one shot of the mRNA vaccine to avoid possible unnecessary adverse reactions and free up supplies for those who need it more. The study, which hasn’t been peer-reviewed, evaluated vaccine reactions…


Moderna Develops New CCP Virus Vaccine for South African Variant

Moderna announced on Jan. 25 that it had developed a new CCP virus vaccine to combat a new South African variant of the virus, with plans to advance it into a phase one study. “Out of an abundance of caution and leveraging the flexibility of our mRNA platform, we are advancing an emerging variant booster candidate against…


WHO Changes Definition of Herd Immunity

In a shocking reversal that’s akin to redefining reality, the World Health Organization has changed its definition of herd immunity. Herd immunity occurs when enough people acquire immunity to an infectious disease such that it can no longer spread widely in the community. When the number susceptible is low enough to prevent epidemic growth, herd…


WHO Changes CCP Virus Test Criteria in Attempt to Reduce False Positives

The World Health Organization (WHO) has cautioned experts not to rely solely on the results of a PCR test to detect the CCP virus. In updated guidance published on Jan. 20, the WHO said that lab experts and health care practitioners should also consider the patient’s history and epidemiological risk factors alongside the PCR test…


Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine May Be Effective Against UK Viral Strain: Study

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine may be effective against the more transmissible CCP virus variant found in the United Kingdom that has spread worldwide, according to a preprint study that has not been independently reviewed. The discovery of different variants of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus since the pandemic began has led to concerns about…