Kids fight off COVID-19 quickly but don't develop adaptive immunity - UPI.com Children's amped-up immune systems allow them to beat back COVID-19 easily, producing a strong initial response that quickly slaps away the virus. But there might be a price to be paid for that sharp reaction. UPI

Because the initial response provides such a swift takedown, kids' immune systems don't remember the virus and don't adapt to be prepared for future infections, according to scientists with the Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Sydney.

All countries 'dangerously unprepared' for future pandemics, says IFRC The world is "dangerously unprepared" for future pandemics, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) say in a report published on Monday, calling on countries to update their preparedness plans by year-end. Reuters Reuters

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WHO says Covid-19 remains a global health emergency, but pandemic is at a 'transition point' | CNN Covid-19 remains a global health emergency, the World Health Organization said on Monday, but it acknowledged the pandemic is at a "transition point." Katherine Dillinger CNN

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WHO’s International Health Regulations Emergency Committee discussed the pandemic on Friday at its 14th meeting on Covid-19, and Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus concurred that the public health emergency of international concern, or PHEIC, declaration should continue. ...

Omicron sub-variant XBB.1.5 accounts for 61.3% of U.S. COVID cases - CDC The Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 has likely become the dominant variant in the United States, accounting for 61.3% of COVID cases in the week ended Jan. 28, data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed on Friday. Reuters Reuters

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The subvariant accounted for 49.5% of cases in the week ended Jan. 21, estimates from CDC showed.

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California law aiming to curb COVID misinformation blocked by judge A U.S. judge has blocked a California law that sought to penalize doctors who spread "misinformation or disinformation" about COVID-19 while he considers a pair lawsuits challenging it on free speech grounds. Brendan Pierson Reuters

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White House focusing on vaccine access for vulnerable The White House is making it a priority to ensure vulnerable populations have access to needed vaccines, a top administration health official said. Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, administrator of the Cent… nweixel The Hill

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CDC urges people with weak immune systems to take extra precautions after Covid subvariants knock out Evusheld Evusheld was a key antibody treatment taken by people with weak immune systems as an added layer of protection. Spencer Kimball CNBC

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These precautions include wearing a high quality mask and social distancing when it’s not possible to avoid crowded indoor spaces, according to the CDC.

Florida doctors worried DeSantis gives ‘fringe’ dermatologist a platform DeSantis is using his opposition to Covid-19 restrictions and advocacy of medical “free speech” as a central pillar of his messaging strategy, and the issue is likely to play into a possible 2024 presidential run. POLITICO

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Record number of deaths in US from cardiovascular disease early in pandemic: Report shows New data from the American Heart Association highlights the major impact COVID-19 had on cardiovascular health and death rates during the first year of the pandemic. ABC News ABC News

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FDA panel recommends move toward streamlined COVID vaccine approach CIDRAP

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) vaccine advisory group today (Thursday) recommended streamlining COVID-19 vaccine campaigns by offering just the newer bivalent (two-strain) versions of the vaccine for both primary and booster series.