Pfizer/BioNTech apply for full FDA approval of updated COVID vaccine Pfizer Inc and its German partner BioNTech SE said on Friday they filed an application to the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a full approval of their Omicron-adapted COVID-19 vaccine. Reuters Reuters

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COVID deaths top 100,000 in California: ‘Nobody … anticipated this toll’ COVID's devastation remains hard to comprehend, and even with more than 20 Californians dying of it every day, many people find it increasingly easy to ignore. The Seattle Times

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Global COVID cases, deaths continue to drop CIDRAP

Monthly averages for new COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to decline steadily, the World Health Organization (WHO) said today in its latest pandemic update, though it cautioned that the trends are underestimated due to reduced testing and delayed reporting.

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American Cancer Society warns about potential impact of missed screenings during Covid Without make-up visits, some patients may miss out on routine screenings detecting early-stage cancer or precancerous lesions. Angus Chen STAT

...While it’s good that people are resuming their regular visits, the data suggest people haven’t been making up for the missed screens earlier in the pandemic, said Ahmedin Jemal, senior vice president of surveillance and health equity science at the American Cancer Society and the senior author on the study.

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Analysis: Why public health officials are not panicked about bird flu A new strain of bird flu that transmits easily among wild birds has triggered an explosive spread into new corners of the globe, infecting and killing a variety of mammals species and raising fears of a pandemic more lethal than COVID-19. Julie Steenhuysen Reuters

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CDC panel recommends Bavarian Nordic's mpox vaccine for all adults at risk Advisers to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Wednesday voted in favor of use of Bavarian Nordic's Jynneos vaccine for all adults at risk of mpox during an outbreak. Reuters Reuters

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China's COVID-19 epidemic has 'basically' ended, but not completely over Health authorities in China said on Thursday the country's COVID-19 epidemic has "basically" ended, but it is not completely over as it found seven imported cases of the highly-transmissible XBB.1.5 variant since Jan. 8. Reuters Reuters

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COVID-19 vaccination may lower risks of heart attack, stroke if infected - UPI.com Researchers linked COVID-19 vaccination with fewer heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular issues among people who later got COVID-19. UPI

COVID-19 shot may protect a person from more than the virus alone, new research suggests.

COMMENTARY: Wear a respirator, not a cloth or surgical mask, to protect against respiratory viruses CIDRAP

Two recent publications conclude there are no differences between surgical masks and respirators for preventing person-to-person transmission of infectious respiratory viruses like SARS-CoV-2 and influenza. But these studies are deeply flawed.

COVID-19 Rebound Can Happen Even Without Paxlovid New research provides more data for people weighing the risks and benefits of taking the antiviral drug Paxlovid for COVID-19. YahooNews

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Various studies and anecdotal data have found vastly different rates of rebound among both Paxlovid users and untreated people.arious studies and anecdotal data have found vastly different rates of rebound among both Paxlovid users and untreated people. ...

Flu vaccine worked well in season that faded fast, CDC says Early estimates suggest the flu vaccine performed well in a U.S. winter flu season that has already dissipated. The vaccines were more than 40% effective in preventing adults from getting sick enough from the flu that they had to go to a doctor's office, clinic or hospital, health officials said during a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention vaccines meeting Wednesday. Officials generally are pleased if a flu vaccine is 40% to 60% effective. YahooNews

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