Statewide hospitalizations due to COVID-19 drop below 1,600
According to the state health department’s latest breakthrough statistics, nearly 500 people in Indiana have died of COVID-19 despite being fully vaccinated.
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FDA panel takes up tough questions on J&J COVID-19 boosters
U.S. health advisers on Friday tackled who should get boosters of Johnson & Johnson’s single-shot COVID-19 vaccine and when—and whether using a competing brand for the second dose might provide better protection.
FDA panel endorses lower-dose Moderna COVID shot for booster
The panel of outside advisers to the FDA voted unanimously to recommend a booster shot for seniors, as well as younger adults with other health problems, jobs or living situations that put them at increased risk from COVID-19.
IMF warns economic recovery threatened by virus, inflation
The International Monetary Fund called Thursday for greater efforts from wealthy nations to boost COVID vaccination rates in poorer countries, while also urging the Federal Reserve and other central banks to respond quickly if current inflation pressures prove not to be transitory.
Indiana’s COVID-19 death toll rises by 78
Statewide hospitalizations due to COVID-19 decreased from 1,708 on Tuesday to 1,634 on Wednesday, the lowest number since Aug. 17.
More questions about J&J vaccine boosters ahead of FDA review
FDA scientists didn’t reach a firm conclusion about whether there’s enough evidence for J&J boosters, citing shortcomings with the company’s data and little information on protection against the extra-contagious delta variant.
Indiana reports 2,773 new COVID-19 cases, 32 more deaths
Statewide hospitalizations due to COVID-19 decreased from 1,729 on Monday to 1,708 on Tuesday. More than 21% of Indiana’s intensive care unit beds are occupied by COVID patients.
FDA authorizes first e-cigarette, cites benefit for smokers
The Food and Drug Administration said the vaping device from R.J. Reynolds can help smokers cut back on conventional cigarettes.
FDA review finds Moderna booster strengthens COVID-fighting response
On Thursday, advisers are expected to consider data supporting a third shot of Moderna, which would be the equivalent of a half-dose of the original shot. The booster would be administered at least six months after initial vaccination.
Indiana’s COVID-19 vaccination pace falls to lowest level
The state health department’s tracking shows Indiana giving about 6,000 shots a day through last week—about half the rate from early September.
Another 44 COVID-19 deaths reported in Indiana
Statewide hospitalizations due to COVID-19 dipped from 1,746 on Sunday to 1,729 on Monday.
Next on FDA’s agenda: Booster shots of Moderna, J&J vaccines
On Thursday and Friday, the FDA convenes its independent advisers for the first stage in the process of deciding whether extra doses of the two vaccines should be dispensed and, if so, who should get them and when.
Already, 18 weather disasters costing at least $1B have hit U.S. this year
These 18 events put 2021 in second place for the most billion-dollar disasters behind 2020, when there were 22 such events.
Indiana reports first increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations in five days
The Indiana State Department of Healthreported 1,114 new cases of COVID-19, raising the pandemic total in the state to 987,164 cases.
Advocates, lawmakers push hospitals to help more with bills
The Affordable Care Act requires not-for-profit hospitals to tell patients about financial help, but it leaves the details for how that gets done or the extent of the assistance largely up to them. Patient counselors see little consistency.
Boosters, employer mandates drive increase in U.S. vaccines
The total number of doses being administered in the U.S. is climbing toward an average of 1 million per day, almost double the level from mid-July.
Indiana sees 3,595 more COVID cases, drop in hospitalizations
The state released the latest statistics for so-called breakthrough cases, hospitalizations and deaths on Thursday.
Hall Render’s longtime leader stepping down to become CEO of OrthoIndy
At OrthoIndy, John Ryan will share strategic and operational oversight with Dr. Edward Hellman under a so-called “dyad leadership” model with a physician president and a non-physician CEO.
ICU time doesn’t sway Indiana legislator on COVID-19 vaccine
An Indiana state senator who spent 10 days in a hospital’s intensive care unit with COVID-19 says he stands behind his decision to not get vaccinated against the illness.
Pfizer asks FDA to allow COVID shots for children ages 5 to 11
If regulators give the go-ahead, reduced-dose shots could begin within a matter of weeks for the roughly 28 million U.S. children in that age group.