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Leading US viral researchers assessed flu vaccine effectiveness (VE) against two viral strains during the 2019-20 flu season, finding 39% overall effectiveness. The study in Clinical Infectious Diseases late last week suggests that the seasonal flu vaccine was 45% effective against a mutated Victoria lineage B strain, but only 30% effective against 2009 H1N1 variants due to a late-season vaccine mismatch.
A study of hospital air contamination in JAMA Network Open last week found that 17.4% of air samples from environments near COVID-19 patients were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA, the virus that causes COVID-19, but only 8.6% contained viable virus.
More than 40% of US hospitals with ICUs are at 85% or higher capacity, as Pfizer agrees to supply 100,000 more vaccine doses.
No COVID vertical transmission was found, but maternal antibody transfer was less than expected.
The findings provide hope that vaccines may generate long-term protection.
France eases its ban on travel from England, a move prompted by the discovery of a rapidly spreading variant virus.
One reason for concern: The variant has developed 23 mutations in just months.
A multistate analysis of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in the American Journal of Epidemiology yesterday found that 12.6% of patients died, with blacks especially hard hit.
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine likely protects against the UK variant, an official says.
Iran has more than 5 million diabetic residents, with over 600,000 needing daily insulin injections.
The findings challenge WHO guidance, which calls for antibiotics before the incision, rather than after cord clamping.
A study in JAMA Internal Medicine today demonstrates a sharp decline in US hospital COVID-19 mortality rates during the first 6 months of the pandemic, with wide variation across hospitals and poorer outcomes linked to higher county-level case rates.
Today and tomorrow 5.9 million doses of Moderna's vaccine will arrive at 3,400 locations.
The case raises concerns about the state's feeding program, which attracts thousands of elk.
More than 1,100 cases involving the fast-spreading strain are confirmed, most in people younger than 60.
A study of pandemic deaths in California in JAMA Internal Medicine today found the highest excess mortality in older adults, black and Hispanic residents, and those without college degrees. Excess death rates for Hispanic residents and those without a high school degree more than tripled after reopening, likely due to increased COVID-19 risk faced by low-wage, essential workers.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ended two separate Escherichia coli O157:H7 investigations on Dec 18. Neither of the outbreaks had a definitive source, although one triggered a food recall on a single brand of romaine lettuce.
Essential workers include first responders, teachers, public transit employees, and grocery store staff.
The company says it began a trial among adolescents; results are expected in 2021.
The US becomes the first nation to have 2 authorized COVID-19 vaccines with clear, compelling efficacy data.
