The Booster Bulletin: Your Weekly Dose of Immunization News
We’re committed to sharing news and information from local and national media about COVID-19, available vaccines, and immunization-related topics. Each week we’ll continue to review clips from across the U.S., from various news outlets and platforms, and bring you ten timely and relevant links.
“Israel’s COVID-19 boosters are preventing infections, new study suggests” Science (September 1, 2021) – “Israel’s nationwide campaign to provide its population with COVID-19 vaccine boosters appears to benefit recipients. A third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine significantly lowers the risk of infection, according to two new studies.”
“What can employers do if workers avoid COVID-19 vaccines?” AP News (September 1, 2021)- "They can require vaccination and fire employees who don’t comply, or take other actions such as withholding company perks or charging extra for health insurance. Businesses for months have been encouraging workers to get vaccinated, in some cases offering incentives like time off or gift cards. But more are taking a harder stance and requiring vaccinations for any remaining holdouts, a push that has gained momentum since Pfizer’s vaccine recently received full approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration."
“Taiwan gets first Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines after long delay” AP News (September 1, 2021)- "Taiwan received its first batch of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines Thursday after a prolonged purchasing process that gave rise to a political blame game with China. Taiwan had been unable to buy the vaccine itself directly from BioNTech, the German company that had partnered with U.S.-based Pfizer to develop the mRNA vaccine."
“As Mandates Roll Out, Some May Ask for Medical Exemptions. What’s Really Valid?” NBC (September 2, 2021) – “Now that the Food and Drug Administration has fully approved a Covid-19 vaccine, the Pfizer-BioNTech shot dubbed Comirnaty, more employers and universities are mandating immunization. Some people may seek medical exemptions to not receive the shots, but what medical conditions would warrant exemptions?”
“When Vaccines Aren’t an Option: Life for Families with Children under 12” New York Times (September 2, 2021) – “Because a vaccine is not yet authorized for young children, and may not be for some time, their families are left in a particularly difficult position heading into this school year. ‘Waiting for a vaccine for the under-12 set has started to feel like waiting for Godot,’ said Dana Gilbert, 49, of Minneapolis. Her 11-year-old son was born prematurely and has special needs, and a family doctor advised that he not return to school in person until a vaccine is available.”
“Vaccine Mandates Are Necessary to Save Our Public Universities” The Hill (September 2, 2021) – “Intervention from the federal government is imperative if our institutions of higher learning are to survive the pandemic. As many universities are barreling toward the precipice, their presidents, boards of trustees and even state politicians are dismissing both the scientific data and commonsense approaches to dealing with COVID-19. Without vaccine mandates, these institutions are not only endangering their faculty, students, staff and local communities; they are tarnishing their centuries-old reputations.”
“U.S. Reaches 75% Of Adults with at Least One Vaccine Dose” Bloomberg (September 7, 2021) – “The U.S. hit 70% of adults with at least one dose in early August, four weeks after Biden’s July 4th target for the achievement. Despite wide availabiltiy of free shots, hesitancy among many Americans––especially political conservatives––has left the U.S. well behind many other countries in inoculating its population.”
“Flu Season Is Coming Fast and Could Be Miserable, Studies Warn” NBC (September 7, 2021) – “Health officials are urging people to get their flu shots now, in an attempt to prevent further strain on hospitals already overwhelmed by Covid-19 and other viruses. The push to get flu shots as soon as possible comes as two studies warn that this flu season could be a miserable one.”
“The Vaccines Are Still the Pandemic’s Endgame” Axios (September 7, 2021) – “The goal of the COVID-19 vaccines was always to reduce death and severe illness. Even with the Delta variant, the vaccines are still doing that. But that message is getting lost, infectious disease and vaccine experts tell Axios. Two-thirds of the world isn't fully vaccinated. To return to some semblance of 'normal,' health authorities need to emphasize how the vaccines aren't failing and drastically increase global vaccine production."
“Covax Vaccine Shortfall Puts Pressure on Rich Nations to Act” Bloomberg (September 8, 2021)- " A year ago, scores of countries committed to Covax, the program set up to deliver Covid-19 vaccines equitably to every corner of the planet. Now the initiative is falling short of its goals. "
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