Latest news with #CaitlinRivers
CNN
01-08-2025
- Health
- CNN
Covid-19 vaccine policy changes raise questions and concerns for US adults as summer wave ramps up
Vaccines Respiratory viruses Children's healthFacebookTweetLink Follow As Covid-19 transmission ramps up in the United States, recent changes to federal vaccine guidance have left many Americans confused about the latest policies and concerned about access to shots this fall. The US has had a summer surge in Covid-19 cases each year since the pandemic began. This year, however, experts say that the seasonal wave is starting later than anticipated and is relatively subdued. Surveillance data from WastewaterSCAN shows that median Covid-19 concentrations ticked up from June to July, with high levels in some parts of the country, but overall, it's far below this time last year. 'My hypothesis was that the weak winter wave would set the stage for a bigger summer, because many people would not have recent immunity. So far, activity has been more sedate than I anticipated,' epidemiologist Caitlin Rivers wrote in her newsletter Sunday. 'I remain open-minded about what August will bring. My best guess is continued increases until early September, but I am uncertain.' Although it's too early to know how big the current uptick will be or how long it will last, Dr. Jennifer Nuzzo, an epidemiologist and director of the Pandemic Center at the Brown University School of Public Health, says her key concern is whether Covid-19 vaccines will be available 'in time to protect people, especially those at high risk, against severe illness.' 'My biggest worry at this point is the uncertainty about when updated Covid vaccines will become available and who will be able to get them,' Nuzzo said. New survey data from KFF published Friday shows that most adults in the US don't plan to get a Covid-19 vaccine this fall, but most who do plan to get the shot share concerns that the vaccine won't be available to them and that their insurance won't cover the cost. In the past few months, US Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has said that the Covid-19 shot will no longer be recommended for healthy children and pregnant women, replaced a federal vaccine advisory panel and announced plans to examine the well-established federal childhood vaccine schedule. For the latest survey, KFF polled a nationally representative sample of nearly 1,300 adults between July 8 and 14 – at least two weeks after each of these events. About a quarter of US adults say Kennedy has made 'major' changes to vaccine policy in the US, but another 40% 'don't know enough to say,' the KFF poll found. Of those who do plan to get a Covid-19 vaccine this fall – more likely to be older adults and Democrats – about two-thirds say they are concerned that it might not be available to them. And more than 60% of insured adults who plan to get the shot are worried that their insurance won't cover it. About half of parents are not sure whether federal health agencies are currently recommending that healthy children receive a Covid-19 vaccine this fall, according to the new KFF data. Kennedy announced that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will not formally recommend the Covid-19 vaccine for healthy children, leaving decisions to be made between parents and their health care provider. KFF found that personal doctors or health care providers remain the most trusted source for information about vaccines, with 8 in 10 adults saying they trust their own doctor at least 'a fair amount.' Trust in local health departments and the CDC has been eroding over the past two years, but most adults still say they trust these sources for vaccine information. But far fewer – only 37% of adults – say they trust Kennedy at least 'a fair amount' to provide information on vaccines, according to KFF. When asked about the impact of the changes to federal vaccine policy, more than a third of adults said they are making people less safe. Only 1 in 5 said the changes are making people safer. Rivers says she recommends that people who want their annual Covid-19 get it sooner rather than later. 'The big drawback is, it is not updated yet; the new formulation will be released closer to autumn,' she said, but getting a shot now will offer protection against the unpredictable summer wave and get ahead of access concerns that may arise in the future.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Measles cases hit 33-year high in U.S.: How did it spread? Symptoms and risks explained
In a troubling resurgence of a disease once thought to be on the brink of elimination, the United States has recorded 1,288 measles cases so far this year, marking the highest annual tally in over three decades, as per the latest figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The last time measles cases crossed this number was in 1992, eight years before the disease was declared eliminated in the country. Texas Emerges as Epicentre of the Outbreak Among the 38 states and the District of Columbia reporting infections, Texas accounts for the lion's share. With over 750 confirmed cases, the state has become the epicentre of the 2025 outbreak, significantly outpacing others. The Texas Department of Health confirmed that the majority of cases are concentrated in communities with low vaccination rates, particularly among certain religious groups. Health officials reveal that the outbreak peaked in January, with 15–20 new daily infections being reported. Though daily case numbers have slowed in recent weeks, experts remain cautious. 'The decline is welcome, but we are still witnessing more weekly cases than what used to be the norm,' said Caitlin Rivers, Director, Center for Outbreak Response Innovation at Johns Hopkins University. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Mundfalten "bügeln" mit TV-Tipp (Löwen) | bedrop Undo Fatalities & hospitalisations Three deaths confirmed: Health authorities reported two school-age children in Texas and an adult in New Mexico succumbed to the disease, all unvaccinated. Gap in Hospitalisations: At least 155–162 patients required hospital care, nearly one in eight, with young children especially affected. Why the sudden surge? Here are some factors, as per a report by NPR, which reflect the reason behind the sudden surge of measles cases: Vaccination shortfall: A major contributing factor to the rise in cases is declining vaccination coverage. The CDC reports that the current national MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccination rate among kindergartners has dropped to 92.7%, falling short of the 95% coverage needed to maintain herd immunity. Unvaccinated pockets: Pockets of low immunisation, such as West Texas religious communities with up to 14% opt-outs, have amplified the spread. Import-driven outbreaks: Two-thirds of outbreaks are tied to international travel and imported cases, including from summer camps & vacations. Legal and Policy Battles Over Vaccines: Adding to the tension, some of the country's top medical organizations have filed lawsuits against the U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. accusing him of undermining public trust in vaccines. In response, the Department of Health and Human Services reiterated its support for MMR vaccination, calling it 'the most effective means of prevention.' Live Events Signs & Risks of Measles Measles, or rubeola, is one of the most contagious viral illnesses known. It typically begins with a high fever, runny nose, dry cough, and red, watery eyes. Within a few days, patients develop Koplik spots, tiny white lesions inside the mouth, followed by a rash that spreads across the body, as mentioned in a report by The Health Site. Highly infectious: Measles spreads through the air or droplets and remains viable in environments for up to two hours . Typical symptoms include: Prodrome: high fever (up to 104 °F), cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis (7–14 days after exposure) Koplik spots: white flecks inside mouth appear 2–3 days post-symptom onset. Rash: flat red spots emerging 3–5 days later, spreading head-to-toe. Serious complications may include pneumonia and encephalitis; approximately 1–2 in 1,000 infected may die. Public health concerns Elimination at risk: Experts warn that sustained outbreaks could reverse the US's measles elimination status, erased in 2000, which requires no transmission for 12 consecutive months Immediate action urged: CDC and Johns Hopkins emphasise checking vaccine records and advising booster or early MMR shots ahead of summer gatherings. Efforts to contain the outbreak State and local response: Texas, Kansas, New Mexico, Michigan, and Pennsylvania implemented quarantine orders, vaccination drives and public education . Federal support: The CDC released a 'Be Ready for Measles' toolkit for health professionals and continues to recommend two-dose MMR as the best preventive measure . Key advice for the public Ensure MMR vaccine is up-to-date, especially for young children. Watch for symptoms following exposure and seek medical care promptly. Practice isolation and testing if measles is suspected, to slow the spread. The US is confronting its most severe measles crisis in decades, driven by substandard vaccination, misinformation, and global travel, with children bearing the greatest burden. Health officials are urging immediate action to close immunity gaps and curb further outbreaks. FAQs How many measles cases have been reported in the U.S. so far in 2025? As of now, the U.S. has recorded 1,288 confirmed measles cases, the highest annual count since 1992. Which state is the epicentre of the outbreak? Texas has emerged as the epicentre, reporting over 750 cases, especially in areas with low vaccination rates, including some religious communities in West Texas.
Otago Daily Times
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Plays sure to raise a laugh
Caitlin Rivers, left, and Jane Robertson preparing to appear in next week's Pint-Sized Plays. PHOTO: PHILIP CHANDLER A short attention span is all you need for some of the best theatrical entertainment you'll see. Playwriting comp Pint-Sized Plays — plays lasting 10 to 15 minutes max — returns to Queenstown next week with shows on Thursday and Friday at Frankton's The Matrix Lounge, from 7pm, followed by two shows in Bannockburn the following day. Organised by Queenstown's Remarkable Theatre, it attracts plays from around the world. Each also has to have no more than three actors, and minimal props. Local actors will perform five of the plays, with the other three featuring Cromwell talent. Once again, comedy's very prevalent — seven of the plays are comedies, with two of them dark comedies. "Everyone likes a good laugh," production manager Sophie Kennedy says. Two are intriguingly entitled 200 Below Zero and Happy Husband Hunting. Each show's winning play is decidedby audience vote with votesaggregated to find the overall winner. Tickets $30 plus booking fees from Humanitix.
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Schools in at least 10 states have closed over rampant cases of the flu this week
It's peak season for fevers and runny noses, and when it comes to the flu, the illness has been rampant this year. In some areas, the flu has been so widespread, schools have even closed to help communities get well. Hope you like vodka. Trump's tariffs could change how America drinks Is it a buyer's or seller's housing market? Zillow's analysis for over 200 metro areas How to consolidate your company's CRM tools—and make more time for actual sales This week, local news outlets have reported school closures in at least 10 states due to higher than normal flu numbers. Alabama, Kentucky, Indiana, Oklahoma, Iowa, Missouri, Texas, Ohio, Virginia, Georgia, and Tennessee, have all kept kids home in order to disinfect, and allow teachers and students time to get well. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's most recent data, 27 states and Washington, D.C., are experiencing 'very high' flu activity levels, while 14 states are seeing 'high' flu activity levels. Hospitalizations have been soaring, too. Just last week, there were an estimated 38,255 hospitalizations from the flu. Over the entire flu season, there have been 20 million cases reported, as well as 11,000 flu-related deaths. Dr. Caitlin Rivers, an epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health said, per NPR, the flu is peaking for the second time this season. 'Influenza activity first peaked around the turn of the new year—late December, early January. Activity then declined for several weeks in a row, which is usually a sign that the season is on its way out,' Rivers says. 'But then it really took an unusual turn and started to rise again. So activity is now at a second peak—just as high as it was at the turn of the new year. It's unusual.' Still, even in rough flu seasons, school closures due to the flu are rare. However this year, it has felt unavoidable in certain locations, like Northeast Ohio, where a number of schools closed over a staggering number of flu cases. St. Hilary School in Fairlawn, Ohio, addressed its high flu numbers in a post on Facebook, announcing its closure this week, writing, 'St. Hilary School will be closed Tuesday, February 4, with over 20% of students and 15% of staff out due to illness,' administrators wrote. 'Unfortunately, we are experiencing many of the same illnesses currently prevalent in the general community. We will be disinfecting the building and expect to reopen Wednesday, February 5, but please watch for updates.' While the flu is raging, other illnesses have felt more mild this year. COVID transmissions have been at their lowest yet this season. According to the CDC, only about 4 per 100,000 have been hospitalized during its seasonal peak. Last year, it was twice that at 8 per 100,000. Compared to the winter of 2021-2022, when there were 35 per 100,000, it feels like COVID is taking a backseat to the flu, at least for now. This post originally appeared at to get the Fast Company newsletter: Sign in to access your portfolio
