Congress convened listen to UFOs On Tuesday, for the first time in decades, we learned about 400 reports of strange aerial encounters so far.
In healthcare, booster shots are now approved for children ages 5-11, and House Democrats have taken new steps to address baby formula shortages.
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Children 5 years and older get booster access
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Tuesday authorized booster doses of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11, expanding the booster dose to the youngest age group to date.
Experts highlighted the importance of booster injections in the elderly population as a key way to increase protection against the weakening of immunity over time from the initial injection and the increased avoidance of currently prevalent omicron variants.
Now, children aged 5-11 will be eligible for boosters for the first time.
Data released by Pfizer last month found a 36-fold increase in neutralizing antibody levels against the omicron variant compared to two doses.
“These data reinforce the potential function of the third dose of the vaccine to maintain a high level of protection against the virus in this age group,” Pfizer then added: “The vaccine was well tolerated and no new safety signals were observed.”
accept the challenge: Still, the absorption of even the first two injections in children aged 5-11 has been lagging, suggesting that many parents also don’t give their children boosters.
Only 28% of children aged 5-11 received the first two injections, according to Data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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According to SAMHSA, nearly 20 percent of incarcerated people report regular opioid use. However, only a small percentage of people receive medication-assisted treatment in prisons and prisons. How can we improve access to addiction treatment in the criminal justice system? What efforts are needed to ensure safe and successful reintegration into society and the workforce?Hill hosts a discussion on improving addiction treatment and recovery across the criminal justice system Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.), Rep. Dave Joyce (R-Ohio), Fairfax County Sheriff Stacey Kincaid, among others. Reply immediately.
Dems submits legislation to address formula shortages
Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) Supplementary funding legislation was filed Tuesday to address a nationwide shortage of infant formula.
If passed, the legislation would authorize $28 million in emergency funding to help the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) address shortages and prevent future shortages, the Congresswoman’s office said.
“Stories of parents struggling to find formula and images of empty shelves are heartbreaking,” DeLauro said in a statement. “Parents and caregivers across the country can’t wait – they need our support now. The bill takes important steps to restore supply in a safe and secure manner.”
The bill comes as the House Oversight and Reform Committee has launched an investigation into the shortage. The shortage has drawn public attention in recent days, putting pressure on lawmakers to act.
As part of the effort, lawmakers send a letter Four top infant formula makers, including Abbott Nutrition, have asked the companies for more information on their plans to address shortages.Lawmakers said they are also seeking documents from Abbott about the condition of its Sturgis, Michigan plant that led to the recall found to have Create shortages, as well as supply chain problems.
Nestlé airlifts infant formula products to US: report
Nestlé will fly its baby food to the U.S. to help address the current shortage, according to a multinational food conglomerate. Reuters reports Tuesday.
Newswire reported that Nestlé will move its Gerber infant formula from the Netherlands to the US and its Alfamino infant formula from Switzerland to the US.
“We are prioritizing these products because they have important medical purposes, just as they are used for infants allergic to cow’s milk proteins,” Nestlé said in an email provided to Reuters.
The company added: “Both products have been imported, but we have turned up the cargo and rushed it by air to help meet immediate demand.”
In recent months, parents across the United States have had to contend with empty store shelves as they try to find baby formula. The shortage was caused by Abbott Nutrition’s voluntary recall of its infant formula products after concerns were raised about a possible bacterial infection.
On Monday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced New Import Guidelines Flexibility to import baby food into the U.S. to help ease shortages.
The FDA will temporarily “have no objection” to the importation of some infant formula products into the United States, as well as the distribution of products made in the United States but intended for overseas markets. Companies around the world interested in these interim guidelines have been asked to “expeditiously” submit information to the FDA for evaluation.
Abbott is also restarting domestic production at its Sturgis, Michigan, plant as the U.S. seeks to import infant formula from abroad. After announcing that the company had reached a consent decree with the FDA. However, Abbott said it could take up to two months for its facilities to reach full capacity.
New Yorkers advised to wear masks indoors again
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is now recommending that residents wear masks indoors, citing an increase in community infections and the city’s transition to a high COVID-19 alert level on Tuesday.
The advisory issued by the city recommends that all residents wear masks indoors and in public spaces, regardless of vaccination. These include offices and shops as well as common areas such as elevators and hallways.
Additional precautions are recommended for high-risk groups, including those over 65 and those who are still unvaccinated or cannot be vaccinated, such as children under the age of 5.
The department advises these at-risk groups to wear masks at all times in public indoor settings and crowded outdoor settings, and recommends avoiding unnecessary gatherings.
Ashwin Vasan, director of the city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, said: say on twitter On Tuesday, “New York City has transitioned to a high alert level for COVID, which means now is the time to redouble our efforts to protect ourselves and each other, and to make choices that will keep our friends, neighbors, relatives and colleagues from getting sick.”
CDC adds Caribbean, African destinations to warning list
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Monday added four countries to its list of high-risk travel destinations for COVID-19.
those countries It’s Antigua and Barbuda, Lesotho, South Africa and Taiwan.
Taiwanese Data released by the Central Epidemic Command Center The country announced on Tuesday 65,833 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, of which 65,794 had been transmitted domestically.
Two omicron sub-variants have boosted infections in South Africa, increasing the number of cases there from 300 a day early last month to 8,000 a day last week. However, the symptoms are mild and severe cases, the death toll has not increased, Associated Press reports Saturday.
Lesotho, located within the larger country of South Africa, has experienced a similar wave.
CDC maintains a list of countries divided into four COVID-19 severity levels: Low, Moderate, High, and Exceptional/Do Not Travel. It also includes the “COVID-19 unknown” designation, which is currently available in 52 countries.
The COVID-19 high category, which added four new countries this week, is the largest category, with a total of 110 countries.
what are we reading
- What happens when the government stops buying Covid-19 vaccines? (statistics)
- Study finds that eliminating fossil fuel air pollution would save around 50,000 lives (NPR)
- U.S. says use of Pfizer’s COVID-19 antiviral drug increased 315% (Reuters)
states
- Federal judge strikes down Tennessee’s transgender toilet lawTennessee Lookout)
- Michigan Court of Claims Judge Grants Injunction to Abortion Act of 1931 (Detroit Free Press)
- Advocates say the end of the federal pandemic emergency could shake Texas’ Medicaid safety netTexas Tribune)
OP-EDS on the Hill
For Women’s Health, Congress Must Pass Cures 2.0
That’s all for today, thanks for reading.Check out Hill’s Healthcare Page Get the latest news and coverage. See you tomorrow.
