Next Week in Public Health, October 9th.
The government is still shut down in the US. Congress is deadlocked over whether to extend enhanced health insurance subsidies, with Democrats pushing for immediate action before open enrollment begins on Nov. 1 and Republicans insisting that negotiations can wait until the government reopens. Insurance commissioners from both parties warn that delaying will cause chaos: consumers are already receiving notices of steep premium hikes, and millions could drop coverage.
Approximately 24 million Americans currently rely on these subsidies, and without them, premiums are projected to increase by more than 75%, particularly affecting small business owners, gig workers, and farmers. Even if Congress acts later, experts say the confusion and disruption will likely result in hundreds of thousands of people losing insurance unnecessarily.
So not great.
Here’s what’s been in the research.
And what’s in the news.
The CDC says people must consult a health professional before COVID shot
The CDC has adopted new COVID-19 vaccination guidelines that require individuals to consult with a healthcare provider before getting vaccinated, introducing an extra step but maintaining insurance coverage. This change may complicate access and reduce vaccine uptake, particularly as similar consultation is now required for certain childhood vaccines against measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox.
Vaccine court: Where Americans who suffer rare injury after vaccination can take their claims
The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, established in the 1980s, has paid nearly $5 billion to over 12,000 Americans, balancing the societal benefits of vaccines with rare individual injuries. This program, funded by a 75-cent tax on vaccines, compensates individuals like Jacob Thompson, who received $2.1 million after it was determined his seizures were likely aggravated by a vaccination.
How healthy am I? My immunome knows the score.
New tests have been developed that analyze up to a million components of the immune system to assess overall health and potentially identify diseases before symptoms appear. These tests offer a more detailed picture than traditional methods, allowing for earlier and more precise medical interventions.
Predictors of hepatitis B vaccination uptake among healthcare workers in Benadir region, Somalia: a multicenter study
A study in Benadir Region, Somalia, found that only 25.7% of healthcare workers are fully vaccinated against Hepatitis B, highlighting significant occupational risks. Lack of vaccine availability, absence of mandatory vaccination policies, and negative attitudes were identified as major barriers to vaccination.
