Supreme Court seems likely to preserve access to the abortion medication mifepristone
The Supreme Court seems likely to preserve access to a medication that was used in nearly two-thirds of all abortions in the U.S. last year, in the courtโs first abortion case since conservative justices overturned Roe v. Wade two years ago.
FTC warns food industry trade groups and influencers about disclosures on paid social media posts
The Federal Trade Commission says it issued warnings to two food and beverage industry groups, as well as to a dozen online influencers and dieticians for failing to adequately disclose paid social media posts that promoted a sweetener and sugary products.
Alzheimerโs drug Leqembi has full FDA approval now and that means Medicare will pay for it
U.S. officials granted full approval to a closely watched Alzheimerโs drug on Thursday, clearing the way for Medicare and other insurance plans to begin covering the treatment for people with the brain-robbing disease.
2nd COVID-19 vaccine set for OK in US with panel endorsement
Modernaโs shot showed similarly strong protection, providing 94% protection against COVID-19 in the companyโs ongoing study of 30,000 people. Modernaโs vaccine uses the same groundbreaking technology as Pfizer-BioNTechโs shot. After the FDA acts, U.S. officials plan to move out an initial shipment of nearly 6 million Moderna doses. The governmentโs Operation Warp Speed program has orders for 200 million doses of Modernaโs vaccine. Like the first vaccine, Modernaโs vaccine will remain experimental as the company continues a two-year study needed to answer key questions, including how long protection lasts.
WATCH: Centra Health gives update on COVID-19 vaccine
Centra Health is set to give an update on coronavirus and the distribution of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at 11 a.m. on Tuesday. The FDA has cleared the Pfizer vaccine for use in the United States, and Virginiaโs first dose is set to be administered around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in Norfolk. Vaccines in our area will start being administered on Wednesday at the earliest. Ralph Northam laid out the stateโs three-phase plan for vaccine distribution. On Tuesday, Virginia reported 3,160 new coronavirus cases, bringing the statewide total to 288,309 since the pandemic began.
US begins COVID-19 vaccinations: โRelieved,โ says nurse
Relieved,โ said critical case nurse Sandra Lindsay after getting a shot in the arm at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New York. But we also recognize that this end is in sight,โ said Dr. Chris Dale of Swedish Health Services in Seattle. Plus, the shots can cause temporary fever, fatigue and aches as they rev up peopleโs immune systems, forcing hospitals to stagger employee vaccinations. A wary public will be watching closely to see whether health workers embrace vaccination. While effective against COVID-19 illness, itโs not yet clear if vaccination will stop the symptomless spread that accounts for half of all cases.
'Healing is coming': US health workers start getting vaccine
โI feel like healing is coming.โWith a countdown of โ3-2-1,โ workers at Ohio State University's Wexner Medical Center gave initial injections to applause. High-risk health care workers were first in line. It just represents a moral failing,โ said Jennifer Nuzzo, a public health researcher at Johns Hopkins. And later this week, the FDA will decide whether to greenlight the worldโs second rigorously studied COVID-19 vaccine, made by Moderna Inc. โWeโre also in the middle of a surge, and itโs the holidays, and our health care workers have been working at an extraordinary pace,โ said Sue Mashni, chief pharmacy officer at Mount Sinai Health System in New York City.
WATCH: US panel endorses widespread use of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine
The FDA panel functions like a science court. With unprecedented interest in the normally obscure panel, the FDA broadcast the meeting via Youtube, and thousands logged on. Pfizer representatives told the panel they are aware of the British reports but have seen no signs of allergic reactions in their trial of the vaccine. IMPACT OF EMERGENCY AUTHORIZATIONAnswering some of these questions will require keeping Pfizerโs study going for many more months. But Pfizer and BioNTech said Thursday they have an โethical responsibilityโ to switch the 22,000 placebo recipients to real shots after FDA gives the vaccine its OK.
Carilion Clinic officials prepare for COVID-19 vaccine rollout
ROANOKE, Va. โ Despite the ongoing surge, health experts stress hope is on the horizon with all but certain COVID-19 vaccine approval from the FDA this week. Officials at Carilion Clinic told 10 News they expect the vaccine to arrive locally sometime over the weekend. There are still lots of questions about what that rollout for the vaccine will look like, but experts say any return to normalcy will depend on it. Carilion Clinic is set to receive the Pfizer vaccine initially and possibly the Moderna vaccine later on. โThe benefit of protecting yourself against COVID-19 and stopping the spread of COVID-19 far outweigh any minor sorts of side effectsโ said Skolnik.
You can now get a rapid antibody COVID-19 test at Kroger
You can now walk into a Kroger and within 15 minutes, youโll know if youโve recently been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. The FDA-authorized rapid antibody test is done using a finger-prick blood sample and is now available at more than Kroger pharmacies in Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and Ohio, according to a release sent out by the company on Tuesday morning. Officials say each test is $25 and typically takes around 15 minutes. For more information, click here.
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam lays out stateโs three-phased coronavirus vaccine distribution plan
While eventually, there will be enough vaccine doses for all Virginians, the governor noted that it will take time. Phase IIn the first wave, once it receives approval, Virginia will receive 70,000 doses of Pfizerโs vaccine. VDH has been working with hospitals, long-term care facilities and community providers for months in preparation for a vaccine distribution plan. The state has also partnered with CVS and Walgreens, as well as other pharmacies, and medical offices for vaccine and distribution. Wear a mask and social distance now and get a vaccine when the time comes,โ said Northam.
The Latest: S Korea begins stronger limits in some areas
In September, the district reported about 13 new coronavirus cases weekly, mostly involving teachers and staff, when it first opened early childhood education classes. ___ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. โ Five Florida mayors are expressing concern about the rising number of coronavirus cases in the state, and are urging Gov. But the stateโs rolling seven-day average for new coronavirus cases was more than nine times higher Wednesday than it was than when her first order took effect. Officials began instituting local shutdowns in neighborhoods where coronavirus cases were rapidly rising. There were 5,102 cases reported in Minnesota on Wednesday, along with 67 deaths.
President Trump promises free Regeneron after receiving the drug during his coronavirus treatment
After being diagnosed and treated for the coronavirus, President Donald Trump posted a nearly 5-minute video to Twitter on Wednesday evening. The president spent four days at Walter Reed Medical Center, where he received the drug Regeneron, which he said made him โfeel good immediately.โA MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT! pic.twitter.com/uhLIcknAjT โ Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 7, 2020The president said heโs working to provide access to Regeneron to those diagnosed with the coronavirus for free. โFor me, I walked in, I didnโt feel good. I want everybody to be given the same treatment as your president because I feel great.
Limes, oranges, lemons and red potatoes recalled over potential listeria concerns
ROANOKE, Va. โ It might be a good idea to double-check your kitchen for both citrus and red potatoes. The FDA announced a voluntary recall on limes, oranges, lemons and red potatoes from Freshouse II, LLC due to potential listeria contamination. The affected fruits and vegetables were distributed in Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and South Carolina. After the companyโs routine internal testing, listeria monocytogenes were identified on a piece of equipment in one of its packing facilities, according to the FDA. No illnesses have been associated with the recall to date.
Blue Ridge Poison Center warns of potentially toxic chemical in hand sanitizer
ROANOKE, Va The Blue Ridge Poison Center at the University of Virginia Medical Center said its calls have nearly doubled because of potentially poisonous hand sanitizer. The center serves 3 million people in Central and Southwest Virginia. As the demand for hand sanitizer increases, the medical director of the poison center, Dr. Christopher Holstege, said potentially harmful chemicals, like Methanol, that if consumed, could cause permanent blindness, seizures, or permanent damage to the nervous system. The poison center said if you feel you may have potentially been exposed to Methanol to call the center for guidance. The FDA has a full list of potentially harmful hand sanitizers on its website.
FDA: More than 600 sickened by parasite in bagged salad mixes
The number of people sickened by a parasite infection linked to Fresh Express bagged salad mixes has risen to 641 cases in 11 states, the Food and Drug Administration said Friday. Symptoms can include diarrhea, loss of appetite and nausea, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At the end of June, Fresh Express recalled bagged salad mixes containing iceberg lettuce, red cabbage and carrots with a product code beginning with Z178 or a lower number. Some of the recalled products were sold under the Fresh Express brand; others were sold as store brands. The products were sold at supermarkets including ALDI, Giant Eagle, Hy-Vee, Jewel Osco, ShopRite and Walmart in 31 states and Washington, D.C.
How long will it take to have a vaccine for COVID-19?
How long do experts forecast for a COVID-19 vaccine to be created? Moderna, one of the U.S. companies working on a vaccine, said it could have a vaccine ready for a phase one clinical trial in people within three months. Phase I vaccine trials - This is the first attempt to try out the vaccine in a small group of adults -- usually 20 to 80 subjects. Phase II vaccine trials - The vaccine is tested on a larger group of individuals to assess the safety of the vaccine and method of delivery. Phase III vaccine trials - If the vaccine passed the first two phases, itโs then tested on tens of thousands of people to make sure there are few adverse side effects and the vaccine is effective.
Why cheese 'is a concern' for every woman
ROANOKE, Va. - A group of more than 12,000 doctors is warning that something most people keep in the fridge regularly may lead to breast cancer: cheese. One study shows women who consumed the most cheese had a 53 percent higher risk of getting the disease. That's why the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is urging the FDA to put cancer warning labels on cheese with the exact wording: "Dairy cheese contains reproductive hormones that may increase breast cancer mortality risk." I think there's enough evidence here to ask or suggest that women go ahead and pass on the cheese." Click here to see the campaign they've already launched that tells women what they can do to lower their risk of breast cancer.
Sanofi issues voluntary recall of Zantac OTC medication
Drew Angerer/Getty Images(CNN) - Sanofi says it's voluntarily recalling its over-the-counter heartburn drug Zantac in the U.S. and Canada because of concerns of potential cancer risks. The FDA has said that some ranitidine medications -- including those known by the brand name Zantac -- contain low levels of an impurity that could cause cancer. Numerous recalls have been launched as the FDA found "unacceptable levels" of nitrosamines in several of those common drugs containing valsartan. Yet that study also noted that research into long-term cancer risk is needed. "Sanofi encourages anyone using Zantac OTC to speak with their health care providers or pharmacists if they have any additional questions," the company's statement said.
NY to require menstrual product packages to list all ingredients
Andrew Cuomo signed a bill requiring menstrual product packages sold in the state to include a list of ingredients in the products. ALBANY, N.Y. - New York just became the first state to require an ingredient list on menstrual product packages, in a move the governor says will "empower women." New York is the first state to legislate this requirement, which people have been advocating for years. "Practically every product on the market today is required to list its ingredients, yet these items have inexplicably evaded this basic consumer protection," Cuomo said in a statement. "Even if they list some ingredients, they may not be listing all of them," he said.
FDA takes major step toward approving first peanut allergy treatment
Copyright 2019 CNNWASHINGTON, D.C. - The US Food and Drug Administration's Allergenic Products Advisory Committee on Friday voted in favor of approving a treatment for peanut allergies in children. While the advisory committee has voted in favor of the treatment, the FDA will make its final approval by January. The agency frequently follows the lead of the advisory committee. If approved, this will become the first FDA approved treatment for peanut allergy. The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology says that more than 2.5% of American children are allergic to peanuts.
FDA warns companies to stop illegally marketing vape products
Matt Cardy/Getty ImagesWASHINGTON, D.C. - The FDA began to crack down on illegally marketed tobacco products Thursday, issuing warning letters to four companies for allegedly selling e-liquids and hookah tobacco without legal authorization. The products, according to the FDA, lack the necessary marketing authorization to be sold in the United States. Together, they sold 44 flavored e-liquid and hookah products that lacked necessary authorization, the FDA said. A federal judge ruled in May that the FDA acted illegally by allowing e-cigarettes to remain on the market until 2022 before companies applied for FDA authorization. "The FDA stands ready to accelerate the review of e-cigarettes and other new tobacco products," Sharpless said at the time.
Elizabeth Holmes Confidently Strides Out of Court After Legal Win
Elizabeth Holmes appeared in court Wednesday, where she won a request to quickly be granted access to millions of FDA documents in order to pull together her defense ahead of next year's trial. But the FDA was concerned that expediting the process of turning over the documents could potentially out a confidential informant. Holmes was photographed confidently striding out of federal court following the legal victory. RELATED STORIESElizabeth Holmes' New Hairdo Raises Eyebrows as Trial Is Set for Next SummerDid Elizabeth Holmes Get Married in Secret in an Effort to Get Pregnant Before Trial? Elizabeth Holmes Moves Out of San Francisco Apartment Where Inside Edition Tracked Her Down
Salmonella outbreak could be caused by pig ear dog treats, CDC says
The CDC reported Wednesday it and the FDA are investigating an outbreak of salmonella across 13 states -- and it's linked to contact with pig ear dog treats. (CNN) - Could the treats you're feeding your dog be making you or your family sick? The CDC reported Wednesday it and the FDA are investigating an outbreak of salmonella across 13 states -- and it's linked to contact with pig ear dog treats. In CDC interviews with 38 of those infected, 34 said they had been in contact with a dog before getting sick. Separately, 17 people of 24 interviewed reported contact with pig ear dog treats or dogs fed those treats.
San Francisco bans e-cigarette sales
But will the strict new policy make San Francisco healthier? Because no manufacturers have done that yet, the law will halt all vape sales in about seven months. Undergoing FDA review, which the new San Francisco law demands, would require companies like Juul to provide data to back up their marketing claims, said Lempert. San Francisco's city attorney, Dennis Herrera, echoed those concerns after San Francisco's law passed. "This is a decisive step to help prevent another generation of San Francisco children from becoming addicted to nicotine," he said.
FDA warns dog owners of 'bone treats' following illness, deaths
WASHINGTON โ The FDA is warning pet owners about bone treats that have caused numerous illnesses and killed dozens of dogs. 15 deaths and 68 illnesses are now related to the store-bought bone treats described as Ham Bones, Pork Femur Bones, Rib Bones and Smokey Knuckle Bones. USA Today reports the treats are not actual butcher bones and are dried through baking or smoking and contain preservatives and smoke flavor. Illnesses reported by dog owners after their pets have eaten the bone treats include:Gastrointestinal obstruction (blockage in the digestive tract)ChokingCuts and wounds in the mouth or on the tonsilsVomitingDiarrheaBleeding from the rectum, and/orDeath. The FDA recommends speaking with your vet about appropriate treats for your dog.