Iowa news
Public health experts, parents anticipate COVID-19 vaccines for kids five and up
As Pfizer seeks FDA authorization for its vaccines to be available to children 5-11, some Iowa City parents are looking forward to their children being eligible. The number of new cases of COVID-19 among children rose dramatically starting in July, but the numbers have fallen through September and early October, reflecting a drop in cases across all age groups. As of Oct. 8, there are two pediatric inpatients at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, making the total number this year 90. (Daily Iowan)
Dr. Sumit Mukherjee at Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital says he’s had several rural providers in Iowa ask for recommendations on advanced respiratory treatment. He says those smaller hospitals are feeling a strain because of the bedding situation since hospitals in bigger areas can’t accept transfers. (KMTV)
A group out of St. Charles, Illinois, has started a partnership with the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, in hopes of raising money for childhood cancer research. The nonprofit has been around for 14 years. They wanted to raise $250,000 for cancer research. The nonprofit met with staff, handed out bags to the children and gave away a wish grant before continuing the ride back to the northwest suburbs. (KCRG)
National news
Where Amazon could go next in health care
Based on Amazon’s recent partnerships and moves in the digital health space, information technology market intelligence platform CB Insights gave several predictions on where the tech giant could go next in a new report. (Becker’s Hospital Review)
Hospitals brace for an onslaught this winter, from flu as well as COVID-19
With a second pandemic winter approaching, there are promising signs that the worst of the delta surge has run its course, but in America’s hospitals — already short-staffed and backlogged from the summer torrent of COVID-19 — the relief may be only short-lived. Many are staring down a tough stretch of colder months with the threat of a potentially bad influenza season, an influx of patients trying to catch up on delayed care and a depleted workforce that has had little time, if any, to regroup from this latest wave of coronavirus infections. (NPR)
AstraZeneca says its antibody cocktail reduces risk of severe COVID-19, death by 50%
AstraZeneca said Oct. 11 that its antibody cocktail significantly reduced the chance of severe COVID-19 and death during a 903-participant trial. If authorized, AZD7442 would be the first antibody drug cleared for COVID-19 prevention. (Becker’s Hospital Review)