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AsiaOne
3 days ago
- Health
- AsiaOne
US CDC continues to recommend Covid-19 vaccines for children, contradicts Kennedy, World News
The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said Covid-19 vaccines remain an option for healthy children when parents and doctors agree that it is needed, stopping short of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s announcement that the agency would remove the shots from its immunization schedule. In a schedule published late on Thursday (May 27), the CDC said any Covid-19 vaccination in healthy children aged 6 months to 17 years should follow "shared clinical decision-making" between a child's parents and their healthcare provider. It had previously recommended updated Covid-19 vaccines for everyone aged six months and older, following the guidance of its panel of outside experts. "Where the parent presents with a desire for their child to be vaccinated, children 6 months and older may receive Covid-19 vaccination, informed by the clinical judgment of a healthcare provider and personal preference and circumstances," the CDC notice said. It provides instructions for administering the shots to healthy children by age group, from infants to teenagers. Kennedy, a long-time vaccine skeptic who oversees the CDC, the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health, had said on Tuesday the recommendations would be dropped. "As of today, the Covid-19 vaccine for healthy children and healthy pregnant women has been removed from the CDC recommended immunization schedule," Kennedy said in a video posted on the X platform. A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services said there was no contradiction between Kennedy's statement and the CDC schedule, which no longer provides a broad recommendation for healthy children. Kennedy's announcement prompted criticism from medical experts who said the health secretary circumvented the government's decision-making process on vaccines and could prevent health insurance coverage for Covid-19 shots to vulnerable Americans. The Infectious Diseases Society of America said on Tuesday that removing the recommendation "does the opposite of what Americans have been asking for when it comes to their health - it takes away choices and will negatively impact them." It added infants and children may "develop severe disease and may suffer from prolonged symptoms due to long Covid-19, which can negatively impact their development." [[nid:718567]] Nearly 1,900 children up to 18 years of age died of Covid0-19 in the US, according to CDC estimates updated in 2023. The makers of Covid-19 vaccines available in the US - Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax - did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Traditionally, the CDC's Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices would meet and vote on changes to the immunization schedule or recommendations on who should get vaccines before the agency's director made a final call. The committee had not voted on the changes announced by Kennedy. Last week, the FDA said it plans to require new clinical trials for approval of annual Covid-19 boosters for healthy Americans under 65, effectively limiting them to older adults and those at risk of developing severe illness.
IOL News
23-05-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Myocarditis and the Covid vaccine: Global cover-up exposed in new US report
South Africans were kept in the dark over heart risks linked to mRNA vaccines, says a new US report. Image: File picture As the world scrambled to roll out Covid-19 vaccines in 2021, millions of South Africans received mRNA jabs with confidence — unaware that top US health officials were sitting on growing concerns about serious heart-related side effects. A damning new report by US Senator Ron Johnson reveals that American authorities were alerted to a potential link between the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and conditions like myocarditis and pericarditis as early as February 2021, yet delayed warning the public for months. Implications for South Africa Now, as South Africans report similar complications, questions are being raised about whether local authorities were also kept in the dark — and what that has meant for informed consent. As many South Africans continue to report post-vaccine complications, the findings have reignited concerns around the adequacy of information provided to the public during the country's rollout. For those who experienced symptoms like heart inflammation, the silence from health authorities now feels like a betrayal. According to the 54-page interim report, the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) were aware of 'large reports of myocarditis' among young vaccine recipients, but only moved to update the vaccine safety labels in late June 2021. This means millions of people across the globe — including in South Africa — received mRNA shots without being informed of these potential risks. 'Even though CDC and FDA officials were well aware of the risk of myocarditis following Covid-19 vaccination, the US administration opted to withhold issuing a formal warning to the public for months about the safety concerns,' the report states. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ What is Myocarditis? Myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle, and pericarditis, inflammation of the sac around the heart, can cause chest pain, irregular heart rhythms, and in rare cases, long-term cardiac damage. Myopericarditis, a combination of both, has also been reported. While these side effects are rare, they appear more frequently in young males and often emerge shortly after the second dose of the vaccine. South Africa relied heavily on Pfizer's mRNA vaccine during its national rollout. The US report raises concerns about whether international partners like South Africa received the necessary data to make timely and transparent decisions about public health messaging. If US authorities withheld warnings, were local health departments in a position to issue appropriate guidance — or were they operating under incomplete information? One pivotal moment came on 28 February 2021, when an Israeli health official contacted the CDC and FDA to flag 40 cases of post-vaccination myocarditis in young people. Despite the warning and Israel's significantly higher vaccination rate at the time, the US chose not to act publicly for several more months. During this silence, frontline doctors who attempted to raise red flags about the potential risks were reportedly censored or discredited. 'Around the time of internal CDC deliberations over myocarditis,' Senator Johnson writes, 'his office received a growing number of letters from doctors and other healthcare professionals who experienced suppression and censoring of this information they were experiencing.' Eventually, on June 25, 2021, the FDA added warnings to the Pfizer and Moderna labels about the risk of myocarditis and pericarditis. But by then, millions of people — including many South Africans — had already been vaccinated without that knowledge. The report's release comes just a day after the FDA announced tighter requirements for booster shot administration, adding further fuel to the debate about transparency, trust, and accountability in the global vaccine effort. This report is not just about what the US did or didn't do — it's a global wake-up call about the need for honesty and accountability when it comes to public health, especially when the stakes are life and death. IOL Lifestyle Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
NDTV
21-05-2025
- Health
- NDTV
Covid-19 Cases In India: No Need To Panic, Says Expert; Do Not Ignore These Symptoms Of JN.1
A fresh wave of Covid-19 is sweeping across Asia, with Singapore, Hong Kong, and Thailand witnessing a rise in infections. India has also reported 257 active covid cases. Kerala, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu have recorded an uptick in active cases over the past few weeks. The driver behind the surge of Covid-19 cases in Asia is reportedly the JN.1 variant and its descendants, particularly LF.7 and NB.1.8, which are a subvariant of the Omicron lineage. "Currently, we are seeing an increase in cases attributed to JN.1, which is a subvariant of Omicron. While the symptoms tend to be mild, including fever, cold, cough, and loss of smell or taste, it remains highly contagious," said Dr. Sharad Joshi, Director & HOD, Pulmonology and Paediatric Pulmonology, Max Healthcare JN.1 variant: What we know so far According to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it was first detected in the US in September 2023. It is a descendant of the BA.2.86 variant (an Omicron sub-variant). The World Health Organisation has classified the JN.1 strain as a "variant of interest" and not a "variant of concern" yet. What are the symptoms of JN.1 strain? Fever, sore throat, runny nose, headaches, and muscle weakness are some common symptoms of this variant. However, unlike other variants, JN.1 can also cause gastrointestinal problems. Diarrhea, loss of appetite, persistent nausea, and extreme fatigue are a few unique symptoms of JN.1. Should you be worried? "There's no need to panic, but exercising caution is essential. It may be wise to avoid non-essential travel, large gatherings, and outings for the time being. A couple of deaths have been reported, so can't take it lightly. It is important to practice caution," Dr Joshi added. Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.
Irish Examiner
29-04-2025
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Colman Noctor: Not everyone who struggles to focus has ADHD
Once a niche childhood condition, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), has become one of the most common mental health problems. The increase in diagnosis is not just in children, but also in adults. The numbers are staggering. In the US, ADHD diagnoses in children increased by 42% between 2003 and 2011, and, according to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adult diagnoses have risen even faster in the past decade. According to ADHD Ireland, as of October 2024, ADHD affects approximately 5% of children and 3% of adults, amounting to 230,000 people. The spike in ADHD diagnoses has prompted a vigorous debate about the legitimacy of these presentations. Are we finally recognising a condition that has long gone undiagnosed, or are we pathologising normal variations in behaviour and attention? Is this surge a reflection of increased awareness, or is it a symptom of something deeper? Much of the polarisation stems from an inability to consider both perspectives. My 25 years of working in the mental health field have taught me that there is rarely one explanation for any condition or presentation, and being open to multiple causes can offer far more insight. Technology, education, and work have undergone seismic changes in the past two decades, which may be reshaping not just how we live but also how we function and, in turn, how we diagnose dysfunction. Mental illness is not a static, universal phenomenon. It is dynamic, context-bound, and shaped by society's values, expectations, and structures. So, while mental illnesses are ever-present, their presentation may change as society changes. One of the most significant societal shifts contributing to the rise in ADHD diagnoses is the advent of the 'attention economy'. In the past two decades, our lives have become saturated with digital technologies designed to capture and monetise our attention. Social media platforms, video streaming services, gaming apps, and news feed notifications ping throughout the day, demanding our attention. The result is that we are constantly switching tasks, scanning headlines, and skimming content. This always-on environment does not just cater to a short attention span, it cultivates it. It's not hard to see how typical traits associated with ADHD, such as difficulty sustaining attention, impulsivity, and restlessness, could be exacerbated or even produced by the demands and distractions of the modern world. Our brains are neuroplastic; they adapt to the environments they inhabit. And, increasingly, those environments are designed to create hyper-distraction. Children growing up in this environment face particular challenges. Screen usage has soared, and opportunities for unstructured play and outdoor activity, which were once crucial outlets for youthful energy, have declined or become non-existent. Classrooms, meanwhile, are increasingly focused on standardised testing and prepping young people for state examinations, leaving little room for creativity, varied learning styles, or divergent thinking. Explosion in adult diagnosis The story of ADHD in the 2020s isn't just about children. The explosion in adult diagnoses is one of the most remarkable aspects of the recent surge. For many adults, an ADHD diagnosis can feel like a revelation that explains years of difficulty with organisation, time management, emotional regulation, or meeting deadlines. Online forums and social media communities are awash with stories of people, particularly women, overlooked as children, but who now recognise symptoms in themselves, due to greater public awareness. I worked in CAMHS (Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services) for years, and ADHD was primarily associated with hyperactive boys. In hindsight, girls, who are more likely to present with inattentive symptoms (daydreaming, disorganisation) rather than hyperactive and disruptive ones, and especially those who were academically functioning, tended to slip through the cracks. An expanded understanding of ADHD was long overdue. Many parents who bring their child for an ADHD assessment see themselves in the questions being asked, prompting them to seek an evaluation. It's a legitimate reason, as ADHD can run in families. However, the speed and scale of the diagnostic surge also raise reasonable questions about whether we are medicalising behaviours, which, in a different era, might have been seen as personality quirks, lifestyle mismatches, or responses to stress. So, instead of asking if the diagnosis spike reflects an actual neurological difference, or whether people are seeking a diagnosis to explain their struggles with lifestyle management, why not ask if it is a reflection of an increasingly fragmented and demanding world? Modern work culture may also significantly shape perceptions of attention and productivity. The rise of remote work and the 24/7 hustle culture have created environments where individuals are expected to be constantly available, responsive, and self-motivated. This flexibility is liberating for some, but overwhelming for others, particularly those who struggle with executive function: The ability to plan, prioritise, and stay on task. What constitutes 'normal' productivity is being unrealistically redefined by cultural, social, economic, and technological standards. Any deviation can feel like failure when the baseline expectation is constant output. For individuals who struggle to focus or stay organised, this pressure can lead to burnout, anxiety, and a search for answers, which could culminate in them suspecting that they might have ADHD. I see this in the many young people who feel overwhelmed by the demands of life and ask me whether I think they have ADHD. Some young people ask this not because they genuinely believe they have ADHD, but because they desire to belong to an ADHD community as a means of providing identity. Digital platforms, such as TikTok and Instagram, contribute to this identity-seeking phenomenon as they are hubs for mental health content, including ADHD awareness. While these platforms have democratised information and helped to de-stigmatise mental health struggles, the algorithms tend to reward dramatic, relatable content, which can sometimes lead to oversimplification, self-diagnosis, and misinformation. Messaging like, 'Do you forget where you left your car keys? Then you probably have ADHD' is deeply problematic. Consider the recent surge in the diagnosis of gluten intolerance. The awareness of gluten intolerance has led to many people with coeliac disease being identified sooner and receiving treatment. At the same time, we have seen a raft of self-diagnoses of gluten intolerance. That doesn't mean that coeliac disease is not real; it means that some people have taken it upon themselves to align with this group without the testing or clinical assessment. Cultural causes Ultimately, we need to consider how the surge in ADHD diagnoses reflects more than just medical or psychological trends. It is a cultural mirror, revealing how our society defines 'normal' behaviour, and how that definition is being strained by modern life. We live in a time of relentless overstimulation and declining downtime. We expect children to sit still for hours, adults to juggle multiple roles, and to be constantly connected and perpetually productive. In such a world, is it any wonder that more and more people feel like their brains are not functioning 'correctly'? This is not to say that ADHD doesn't exist. Of course it does. For many, diagnosis and treatment can be transformative, and going through life without a diagnosis or understanding can be detrimental. But as with all aspects of over-correction, it is also true that we might be diagnosing more people more quickly and broadly than ever before. And instead of only asking what is wrong with individuals, perhaps we should also ask what is wrong with the world they live in. We need a more nuanced approach to ADHD that balances awareness and compassion with critical thinking and understanding. We need to better distinguish between genuine neurological conditions and socially induced struggles. We must also rethink how schools, workplaces, and digital environments are structured to allow for a broader range of human attention styles and learning modes. Not everyone who struggles to focus has a disorder. Sometimes, the problem is not the person, it's the system. As the conversation around ADHD evolves, let's make room for complexity. Let's respect the stories of those who have found clarity and healing through a diagnosis, while remaining vigilant about the forces, such as economics, technology, and culture, that may be shaping our understanding of what it means to be 'normal'. The surge in ADHD diagnoses may tell us as much about society as it does about individuals. I hope we find the insight needed to regain control over our attention and build a world that demonstrates an understanding of our brain's limitations, leading to fewer people struggling to keep up with an unattainable pace.
Time of India
26-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
US records over 800 confirmed cases of measles in 2025
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The US has recorded 884 confirmed cases of measles so far this year, representing a significant surge compared to last year's to the latest data released by the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Friday, 11 measles outbreaks have been recorded nationwide so far in CDC defines an outbreak as three or more related cases. Confirmed cases have been reported across 30 US jurisdictions, with 94 hospitalisations and three deaths attributed to the year's measles case count represents a significant rise from 2024, when the country reported a total of 285 measles CDC emphasises that the to prevent measles is through vaccination. Two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine are highly effective in preventing the disease.
