Latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention News

EPA to strengthen lead protections in drinking water after multiple crises, including Flint

Oct. 28, 2023 22:51 PM EDT

About four decades ago, when the Environmental Protection Agency was first trying to figure out what to do about lead in drinking water, Ronnie Levin quantified its damage: Roughly 40 million people drank water with dangerous levels of lead, degrading the intelligence of thousands of kids. ...

China's chief epidemiologist who helped drive the anti-COVID fight dies at age 60

Oct. 27, 2023 07:56 AM EDT

BANGKOK (AP) — Wu Zunyou, an epidemiologist who helped drive the country's strict zero-COVID measures in China that suspended access to cities and confined millions to their homes, died on Friday. He was 60. An announcement from China’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention...

2% of kids and 7% of adults have gotten the new COVID shots, US data show

Oct. 26, 2023 20:41 PM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — A month after federal officials recommended new versions of COVID-19 vaccines, 7% of U.S. adults and 2% of children have gotten a shot. One expert called the rates “abysmal.” The numbers, presented Thursday at a meeting held by the Centers for...

Editorial Roundup: Pennsylvania

Oct. 18, 2023 07:16 AM EDT

LNP/LancasterOnline. October 11, 2023. Editorial: Help to stave off another ‘tripledemic’ by getting vaccinated against COVID-19, the flu and, if you’re 60 or older, RSV If only vaccines had marketers like those hawking pumpkin spice products. Getting vaccinated...

CDC director Cohen, former Reps. Butterfield and Price to receive North Carolina Award next month

Oct. 16, 2023 16:31 PM EDT

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Two former members of Congress, the state’s top health official during the COVID-19 pandemic, a sculptor, a poet and a sports franchise executive are this year’s recipients of North Carolina’s highest civilian honor, officials announced Monday. The North...

Editorial Roundup: Florida

Oct. 11, 2023 07:14 AM EDT

South Florida Sun Sentinel. October 8, 2023. Editorial: Fighting censorship in Florida: The true fight for freedom In Florida’s book-banning boom, too much attention has been paid to marathon porno-thons by Moms for Liberty chapters at school board meetings. ...

US adds another option for fall COVID vaccination with updated Novavax shots

Oct. 03, 2023 16:07 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. regulators on Tuesday authorized another option for fall COVID-19 vaccination, updated shots made by Novavax. Updated vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna began rolling out last month, intended for adults and children as young as age 6 months. Now the Food and...

Arkansas officials say person dies after brain-eating amoeba infection, likely exposed at splash pad

Sep. 14, 2023 17:27 PM EDT

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — An Arkansas resident has died after being infected with an extremely rare brain-eating amoeba and health officials have concluded they were likely exposed to it at a country's club's splash pad, authorities announced Thursday. The Arkansas Department of...

Editorial Roundup: Georgia

Sep. 14, 2023 15:23 PM EDT

Dalton Daily News. September 13, 2023. Editorial: Get your flu shot It’s that time of year again for flu shots. Health care experts say it is not too early to get your flu shot. Here are the recommendations from the Centers for Disease...

Contradicting federal health officials, Florida Gov. DeSantis recommends against new COVID booster

Sep. 13, 2023 18:22 PM EDT

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state’s top health department official are directly contradicting federal health recommendations and warning residents against getting a new COVID-19 booster, saying there’s not enough evidence it provides benefits that outweigh...