New coronavirus variant could take over by spring, experts say
Proactive testing, faster vaccinations and strict adherence to health guidelines are needed to prevent new surges, say scientists.
A nurse holds a vial of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at a hospital in London. Company executives say they are confident the vaccine works against the UK variant of the virus, but further studies are needed to be completely sure.(Frank Augstein / AP)
A more contagious variant of COVID-19 first detected in England has hit North Texas just as hospitals are being stretched to the limit. Even as vaccines roll out in Dallas-Fort Worth, experts worry they aren’t reaching people fast enough to stay ahead of the variant, which they fear will trigger a new surge.
Weâre in a race : Minnesota scrambles as feds shift vaccine strategy article
FILE - (L) Dr. Michael Osterholm, Regents Professor, McKnight Presidential Endowed Chair in Public Health, and director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (R).
(Glen Stubbe/Star Tribune via Getty Images)
(FOX 9) - Federal officials shifted the nation’s vaccine strategy on Tuesday, eight days before President-Elect Joe Biden is to take office, saying states should begin vaccinating older adults over 65 and those with documented pre-existing conditions.
Centers for Disease Control guidelines have focused on vaccinating front line health officials and long-term care residents.
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Drug supply chain vulnerabilities have achieved greater visibility with the COVID-19 pandemic, but they have increasingly plagued countries in the past few years. A survey published in
Health Policy s December issue found that 20 of 24 countries used drug registries to combat them, 20 simplified regulatory procedures during shortages, 18 regularly talked with stakeholders, and 15 had financial sanctions in place for when manufacturers missed notification or supply requirements.
Even with these practices in place, multiple countries expressed an interest in increasing management strategies, and for good reason. Finland, the researchers report, experienced an 18-fold increase in shortages from 2010 to 2018, with instances doubling from 2016 to 2018 alone.