French health body indicates at-risk groups to be vaccinated against monkeypox
France’s HAS health authority on Friday recommended widening the vaccination campaign against monkeypox, saying that those most exposed to the risk of contracting the virus through sexual relations should receive an inoculation. “Men who have sexual relationships with other men and trans people who have multiple sexual partners” should be vaccinated, the HAS said, as […]
What to Know About the New BA.2.75 Omicron Subvariant
Even as BA.4 and BA.5 continue to climb the charts, crowding out earlier Omicron subvariants, scientists are warning about an even newer strain: BA.2.75. Tom Peacock, PhD, a virologist at Imperial College London, tweeted on June 30, “worth keeping a close eye on BA.2.75 — lots of spike mutations, probable second generation variant, apparent rapid growth and […]
What the over-the-counter access to the COVID-19 drug means for patients
After the FDA approved the over-the-counter COVID-19 drug, Paxlovid, pharmacists are preparing to start screening patients for the drug. https://www.5newsonline.com/article/n…
U.S. to ship 144,000 more monkeypox shots and expand testing as cases top 700
The U.S. is stepping up its efforts to address the snowballing monkeypox outbreak — the country’s largest to date by far, with 700 confirmed cases. The Department of Health and Human Services announced Thursday that it will distribute 144,000 doses of the two-shot Jynneos vaccine, which is approved for monkeypox and smallpox, to cities and […]
Half of Canadians were infected with Omicron in only five months: report
‘Omicron has been a tsunami,’ with an average of 100,000 infections per day from December to May, says the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force Half of the Canadian population — more than 17 million people — were infected with Omicron in only five months starting in December 2021, a report by the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force […]
CDC: Tampa Bay area and most of Florida under ‘high risk’ for COVID-19
Experts say cases are plateauing about 10,000 per day but may be higher due to unreported at-home positive tests. TAMPA, Fla. — The majority of Florida is still at high risk for COVID-19 transmission, according to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and all of Tampa Bay is under that same […]
FDA allows pharmacists to prescribe Pfizer’s COVID-19 pill
Pharmacists can prescribe the leading COVID-19 pill directly to patients under a new U.S. policy announced Wednesday that’s intended to expand use of Pfizer’s drug Paxlovid. The Food and Drug Administration said pharmacists can begin screening patients to see if they are eligible for Paxlovid and then prescribe the medication, which has been shown to […]
Queensland remains unmasked with third COVID peak coming
Queensland is now firmly in the grip of a third COVID-19 wave that could rival the first one early this year, with authorities urging people to wear masks and stay up to date with their vaccinations. But they have stopped short of imposing mandates, instead leaving it up to Queenslanders to take measures to protect […]
Philippines detects more cases of Omicron subvariants
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has detected 70 additional cases of fast-spreading Omicron BA.5, BA.2.12.1, and BA.4 subvariants, the Department of Health said. Of the total, 43 were BA.5 cases, 20 were BA.2.12.1 cases, and four were BA.4 cases. Sixty-five of those Omicron subvariant cases are local, the health department said. In total, there […]
Ireland prepares for fourth round of vaccinations as COVID rates climb
A fourth-round of COVID-19 vaccinations will likely be rolled out in Ireland in the autumn, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said, as cases in the country continue to rise. The rollout would be dependent on advice from the National Immunisation Advisory Council. Still, a new round of vaccines was likely necessary as a result of an […]
