Tuesday, October 10, 2023 – KFF Health News

The Hill:
Long COVID Rare Among Children: CDC

New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has shed light on the rate at which long COVID affects children, indicating the condition occurs among only a small minority of them. In a new survey conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), the CDC found that 1.3 percent of children had long COVID in 2022 and 0.5 percent now have it. (Choi, 10/9)

San Francisco Chronicle:
Not COVID, But Symptoms Won’t Pass? You May Have A ‘Long Cold’

People who test negative for the coronavirus but experience a lingering cough, fatigue or digestive issues may suffer from “long colds,” according to a new study. Contrary to the common belief that respiratory infections like colds and flu vanish within a week, the findings published Friday in the Lancet scientific journal suggest that they can lead to health complications persisting for more than four weeks after the initial illness, often escaping detection. (Vaziri, 10/6)

On vaccines and the spread of covid —

Reuters:
Updated Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine Shipped To Distributors, To Be Available This Week 

Vaccine maker Novavax Inc on Monday said it has shipped millions of doses its updated COVID-19 shots to distributors after receiving the go-ahead from U.S. regulators. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the updated vaccine last week for emergency use in individuals aged 12 years and older, but batches of the shots needed additional clearance from the FDA before they could be released. (Erman, 10/9)

Reuters:
New COVID Shots Still Hard To Find For Some Americans

Americans have started rolling up their sleeves for the latest version of the COVID-19 vaccine, but weeks into the rollout some say they are still having difficulty finding appointments for themselves and their children. Shot seekers also say they have been surprised by requests for upfront payments of $150 to $200 now that the U.S. government has handed off to private companies including vaccine makers, pharmacies, and insurance plans to handle distribution, administration and payment coverage. (Erman and Aboulenein, 10/8)

The New York Times:
Feeling Terrible After Your Covid Shot? Then It’s Probably Working 

A new study has an encouraging message for Americans who shy away from Covid shots because of worries about side effects: The chills, fatigue, headache and malaise that can follow vaccination may be signs of a vigorous immune response. People who had those side effects after the second dose of a Covid vaccine had more antibodies against the coronavirus at one month and six months after the shot, compared with those who did not have symptoms, according to the new study. Increases in skin temperature and heart rate also signaled higher antibody levels. (Mandavilli, 10/7)

Fox News:
COVID Hospitalizations Are Still A ‘Public Health Threat’ For America’s Older Adults, Says CDC

Older adults in the U.S. remain at higher risk of hospitalization due to COVID-19, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Adults age 65 and older accounted for nearly 63% of all COVID-related hospitalizations between January and August 2023, the CDC reported on Friday. In a majority of those cases, the patients had “multiple underlying conditions,” according to the agency’s report. (Rudy, 10/8)

On covid misinformation —

Becker’s Hospital Review:
Mayo Clinic Revises Site After Former Trump Official’s Tweet

Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic revised its hydroxychloroquine site after a former Trump administration official linked to it in a tweet. Mayo Clinic said it took down the webpage last month to “make it clear that hydroxychloroquine should not be used to treat COVID-19 patients.” (Bruce, 10/9)

St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Missouri Officials Defend Posts Aimed At Vaccine Skeptics

Missouri health officials recently defended social media posts instructing COVID-19 vaccine skeptics to “just keep scrolling” after the posts generated heavy criticism. The Sept. 13 posts on X and Facebook were promoting the updated COVID-19 vaccine, which authorities began rolling out last month. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending the vaccine for everyone 6 months and older. Missouri health officials said, “COVID vaccines will be available in Missouri soon, if you’re in to that sort of thing. If not, just keep scrolling!” (Suntrup, 10/6)

USA Today:
Florida Family Selling Bleach Mix As COVID Cure Sentenced To Prison

The family convicted for selling a bleach mixture as COVID cure was sentenced Friday to several years in prison, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Florida. Prosecutors said the men sold more than $1 million of the “Miracle Mineral Solution,” commonly referred to as MMS, claiming it could cure almost any ailment including coronavirus. Mark Grenon founded the Genesis II Church of Health and Healing, which he admitted to being a front to to protect their practice of selling MMS, according to court documents. (Crowley, 10/9)

In other pandemic news —

The New York Times:
Skeletons Of 1918 Flu Victims Reveal Clues About Who Was Likely To Die 

While a narrative emerged that the pandemic indiscriminately struck the young and healthy, new evidence suggests that frail young adults were most vulnerable. (Kolata, 10/9)

Bloomberg:
Gates Foundation Gives $40 Million To Limit Disease Spread With MRNA Shots

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is giving $40 million to fund mRNA research and manufacturing to help poorer countries expand their drug and vaccine supplies. The funding bolsters a plan for Africa to gain equitable access to the mRNA technology that soared to prominence during the race to develop a vaccine against Covid-19, building on a previous $55 million commitment. The foundation announced the pledge at a forum to promote donations for health issues in Dakar, Senegal on Monday. (Kew, 10/9)