India  

U.K. Approves Vaccine Booster That Targets Omicron

Video Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories - Duration: 01:31s - Published
U.K. Approves Vaccine Booster That Targets Omicron

U.K. Approves Vaccine Booster That Targets Omicron

U.K. Approves , Vaccine Booster , That Targets Omicron.

The United Kingdom has become the first country to approve vaccine boosters specifically designed to counter the omicron variant of COVID-19.

The United Kingdom has become the first country to approve vaccine boosters specifically designed to counter the omicron variant of COVID-19.

NPR reports that the decision paves the way for people in the U.K. to receive their shots early in the fall season.

The Moderna vaccine booster is "bivalent," meaning that it combines two different versions of the vaccine.

Half of the mix is aimed at the original strain of COVID, while the other half is formulated to fight the original omicron variant.

What this bivalent vaccine gives us is a sharpened tool in our armory to help protect us against this disease as the virus continues to evolve, Dr. June Raine, Head of the U.K.'s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, via NPR.

What this bivalent vaccine gives us is a sharpened tool in our armory to help protect us against this disease as the virus continues to evolve, Dr. June Raine, Head of the U.K.'s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, via NPR.

According to researchers in the U.K., the omicron booster "triggers a strong immune response" that defends against both the 2020 strain of COVID and omicron.

According to researchers in the U.K., the omicron booster "triggers a strong immune response" that defends against both the 2020 strain of COVID and omicron.

NPR points out that the combo booster differs from the omicron-specific booster which officials in the United States hope to roll out this fall.

The U.S. FDA has requested vaccine developers to target later omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5.

Those two strains currently make up a majority of cases in the U.S. According to NPR, officials hope to authorize omicron-specific boosters by mid-September


You Might Like


💡 newsR Knowledge: Other News Mentions

COVID-19 COVID-19 Contagious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2

Routine COVID tests for hospital patients discharged into care homes to end

The government will end routine COVID testing for hospital patients discharged into care homes from April 1.
Sky News

'Next pandemic is around the corner,' expert warns - but would lockdown ever happen again?

Exactly four years ago today, Boris Johnson announced the UK's first COVID lockdown, ordering people to "stay at home".
Sky News
German man vaccinated against Covid 217 times had no side-effects [Video]

German man vaccinated against Covid 217 times had no side-effects

Doctors report a man from Germany has been vaccinated 217 against the COVID-19 virus with no negative medical symptoms.

Credit: euronews (in English)    Duration: 00:35Published
Study Investigates Link Between COVID, Mental Health and Insomnia [Video]

Study Investigates Link Between COVID, Mental Health and Insomnia

Study Investigates Link Between, COVID, Mental Health and Insomnia. PsyPost reports that a new study by Phenikaa University in Vietnam has highlighted one of the more common and lingering symptoms of COVID-19: insomnia. PsyPost reports that a new study by Phenikaa University in Vietnam has highlighted one of the more common and lingering symptoms of COVID-19: insomnia. As a sleep researcher, I received many questions and complaints from relatives, friends, and colleagues about their sleep disturbances after recovering from Covid-19, Dr Huong T. X. Hoang, Lead author of the article published in 'Frontiers in Public Health,' via PsyPost. I found that the majority of papers focused on hospitalized patients. The environment of their treatment and quarantine would differ greatly from those with milder symptoms, Dr Huong T. X. Hoang, Lead author of the article published in 'Frontiers in Public Health,' via PsyPost. Patients were asked to compare the quality and length of their sleep, as well as how easy it was for them to fall asleep, before and after they contracted COVID. Patients were asked to compare the quality and length of their sleep, as well as how easy it was for them to fall asleep, before and after they contracted COVID. Of the 1,056 people surveyed, over 76.1% of participants said they experienced insomnia. 22.8% of those surveyed reported experiencing severe insomnia. The study found that two groups experienced a statistically significant increased rate of insomnia, including those with depressive or anxious symptoms. The authors of the study note that further investigation of the connection between COVID, mental health problems and insomnia is needed. Since this is a cross-sectional study, the relationship of anxiety and depression with insomnia cannot be fully investigated, Dr Huong T. X. Hoang, Lead author of the article published in 'Frontiers in Public Health,' via PsyPost. In addition, collecting data online and a convenience sampling method can cause recall bias and selection bias. , Dr Huong T. X. Hoang, Lead author of the article published in 'Frontiers in Public Health,' via PsyPost

Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories    Duration: 01:30Published
Bereaved families pay tribute at Covid Memorial Wall [Video]

Bereaved families pay tribute at Covid Memorial Wall

Families who have lost loved ones to Covid-19 have gathered at the National Covid Memorial Wall to commemorate their lives. Volunteers for the National Covid Memorial Wall were joined at noon on London’s South Bank on Sunday by members of the public. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Credit: ODN    Duration: 00:54Published

NPR NPR American nonprofit media organization

Homes Linked to Diddy Are Raided by Federal Officials [Video]

Homes Linked to Diddy Are Raided by Federal Officials

Homes Linked to Diddy , Are Raided by Federal Officials. HSI New York "executed law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing investigation with assistance from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami and our local law enforcement partners" on March 25, authorities said. Sean "Diddy" Combs does not own the home in Los Angeles, but the mansion has ties with his company, Bad Boys Film Production. The Miami residence, however, was bought by Combs in 2021, NPR reports. . Phones belonging to Combs were seized by Homeland Security officials in Miami prior to the 54-year-old attempting to board a flight to the Bahamas. The motive for the raids has not been made clear, . but they follow a lawsuit alleging that Diddy leads an enterprise that could be considered a "widespread and dangerous criminal sex trafficking organization.". I drive by a lot, and I see that — a lot of girls, maybe five or six girls outside, some leaving, some not, some going in. I never thought anything of it. But now, it’s crazy, Ryan Mendelsohn, 20, who used to live in and still frequents the area, via NBC News. The rapper and producer has also been accused of the "solicitation and distribution of illegal narcotics and firearms," NBC News reports. . That suit follows other claims of sexual misconduct, assault, sex trafficking and rape, most notably put forth by Combs' ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura. . Producer Rodney "Lil Rod" Jones has also sued Diddy for alleged sexual assault.

Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories    Duration: 01:30Published
Biden Forgives $6 Billion in Student Debt for Public Service Workers [Video]

Biden Forgives $6 Billion in Student Debt for Public Service Workers

Biden Forgives $6 Billion in Student Debt , for Public Service Workers. On March 21, the Biden administration canceled nearly $6 billion in student loans for approximately 80,000 public service workers, NPR reports. Such workers include teachers, nurses, firefighters and more. Such workers include teachers, nurses, firefighters and more. Such workers include teachers, nurses, firefighters and more. These public service workers have dedicated their careers to serving their communities, but because of past administrative failures, never got the relief they were entitled to under the law, President Joe Biden, via statement. Because of the fixes my administration has made, we have now canceled student debt for over 870,000 public service workers — compared to only about 7,000 public service borrowers ever receiving forgiveness prior to my administration, President Joe Biden, via statement. Those who are eligible for this round of student loan forgiveness will receive an email next week. Thousands more who are enrolled in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program will receive emails "if they are within two years of having their debt forgiven," NPR reports. . The announcement comes as the president travels the country to campaign for reelection. From day one of my administration, I promised to fix broken student loan programs and make sure higher education is a ticket to the middle class, not a barrier to opportunity, President Joe Biden, via statement. I won't back down from using every tool at my disposal to deliver student debt relief to more Americans, and build an economy from the middle out and bottom up, President Joe Biden, via statement

Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories    Duration: 01:31Published
California Voters Pass Proposition 1 to Address Homelessness Crisis [Video]

California Voters Pass Proposition 1 to Address Homelessness Crisis

California Voters Pass Proposition 1 , to Address Homelessness Crisis. In a state that accounts for close to a third of all homeless people in the United States. California counties will now be required to spend money "on housing and drug treatment programs" to fight homelessness, NPR reports. . Gov. Gavin Newsom raised over $13 million to promote the measure. Proposition 1 represents California's first mental health system update in 20 years, NPR reports. . This is the biggest change in decades in how California tackles homelessness, and a victory for doing things radically different, Gov. Gavin Newsom, via statement. Now, counties and local officials must match the ambition of California voters. , Gov. Gavin Newsom, via statement. This historic reform will only succeed if we all kick into action immediately – state government and local leaders, together, Gov. Gavin Newsom, via statement. Revenue from a tax on millionaires, enacted in 2004, brings in about $2 billion to $3 billion a year toward California's mental health budget, NPR reports. . Counties will now be required to spend two-thirds of that money to tackle homelessness. . The state will also be allowed to borrow $6.3 billion to create an additional 6,800 beds for mental health and addiction treatment. That money can also be used to construct 4,350 housing units. Half of those housing units will be for veterans

Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories    Duration: 01:31Published
RGB Award Ceremony Canceled Amid Recipient Controversy [Video]

RGB Award Ceremony Canceled Amid Recipient Controversy

RGB Award Ceremony Canceled , Amid Recipient Controversy. Since 2019, the Dwight D. Opperman Foundation has presented accomplished women with the Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Leadership Award, NPR reports. . Previous recipients include Barbra Streisand and Queen Elizabeth II. This year, however, the foundation selected four men to receive the award, in addition to Martha Stewart. . This year, however, the foundation selected four men to receive the award, in addition to Martha Stewart. . Those men are Elon Musk, Rupert Murdoch, Michael Milken and Sylvester Stallone. Those men are Elon Musk, Rupert Murdoch, Michael Milken and Sylvester Stallone. Those men are Elon Musk, Rupert Murdoch, Michael Milken and Sylvester Stallone. Those men are Elon Musk, Rupert Murdoch, Michael Milken and Sylvester Stallone. Justice Ginsburg fought not only for women but for everyone, Dwight D. Opperman Foundation Chair Julie Opperman, via statement. Going forward, to embrace the fullness of Justice Ginsburg's legacy, we honor both women and men who have changed the world by doing what they do best, Dwight D. Opperman Foundation Chair Julie Opperman, via statement. Ginsburg's family condemned the foundation's recipient selection, NPR reports. . This year, the Opperman Foundation has strayed far from the original mission of the award and from what Justice Ginsburg stood for. , Jane Ginsburg, daughter of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, via statement. On March 18, foundation Chair Julie Opperman said that the April ceremony is now canceled. . This year we selected leaders in different fields. We honored men for the first time, Dwight D. Opperman Foundation Chair Julie Opperman, via statement. We thought RBG's teachings regarding EQUALITY should be practiced. We did not consider politics, Dwight D. Opperman Foundation Chair Julie Opperman, via statement. Opperman went on to say that the foundation will decide whether to continue after reevaluating its mission, NPR reports.

Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories    Duration: 01:31Published
Aging Energy Infrastructure Plus Climate Change Are a Growing Risk [Video]

Aging Energy Infrastructure Plus Climate Change Are a Growing Risk

Aging Energy Infrastructure, Plus Climate Change, Are a Growing Risk. NPR reports that Texas investigators say that a power pole , "that appeared to be decayed at the base", was the cause of the worst wildfire in the state's history. Xcel Energy, the state's electric utility, said in a statement that , "its facilities appear to have been involved in an ignition of the Smokehouse Creek fire.". Rob Gramlich, president of consulting firm Grid Strategies, warns that many of the U.S.'s power lines were built 60 to 70 years ago. . According to Gramlich, most electric utility providers in the U.S. lack the technology to let them know when power lines are overheating or sagging. Combined with increased temperatures and drier vegetation, this aging infrastructure could spark larger, more intense wildfires. There are some utilities that are really leaders and are getting ahead of the risk, Michael Wara, director of the Climate and Energy Policy Program at the Woods Institute for the Environment at Stanford University, via NPR. And then there are others that we look at and think are walking into a catastrophe, Michael Wara, director of the Climate and Energy Policy Program at the Woods Institute for the Environment at Stanford University, via NPR. According to experts, wildfire prevention can not only impact safety, but also the cost of energy bills across the nation. We cannot afford – literally, in terms of our pocketbooks – to have utilities be perceived by their investors as high risk, Michael Wara, director of the Climate and Energy Policy Program at the Woods Institute for the Environment at Stanford University, via NPR. There is a set of practices that utilities can take that do not cost an arm and a leg that can dramatically cut the risk of outcomes like we saw in Texas, Michael Wara, director of the Climate and Energy Policy Program at the Woods Institute for the Environment at Stanford University, via NPR

Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories    Duration: 01:31Published

Food and Drug Administration Food and Drug Administration United States federal agency

FDA to Outlaw Soda Ingredient Already Banned Around the World [Video]

FDA to Outlaw Soda Ingredient Already Banned Around the World

FDA to Outlaw Soda Ingredient , Already Banned Around the World. Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO) has been used as an emulsifier in various products since the 1930s, ScienceAlert reports. . Countries such as India, Japan and nations within the European Union have banned BVO for years. California also outlawed it in 2022. Studies have indicated that BVO builds up in fat tissue when consumed and prevents iodine from properly functioning within the thyroid. . BVO has also been linked with heart and behavioral problems, ScienceAlert reports. . Recent toxicology studies prompted the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to propose banning BVO in November. The proposed action is an example of how the agency monitors emerging evidence and, as needed, conducts scientific research to investigate safety related questions, , James Jones, FDA deputy commissioner for human foods, via ScienceAlert. ... and takes regulatory action when the science does not support the continued safe use of additives in foods, James Jones, FDA deputy commissioner for human foods, via ScienceAlert. Over the years many beverage makers reformulated their products to replace BVO with an alternative ingredient, and today, few beverages in the US contain BVO, James Jones, FDA deputy commissioner for human foods, via ScienceAlert. The FDA's BVO reclassification will still need to go through a review process before completion. James Jones, FDA deputy commissioner for human foods, said that regulations for authorizing other food additives are currently being reviewed by the agency... ... in order to automatically block the approval of ingredients known to cause cancer in animals or humans

Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories    Duration: 01:31Published
FDA Warns These Cinnamon Brands Could Contain Lead [Video]

FDA Warns These Cinnamon Brands Could Contain Lead

FDA Warns These , Cinnamon Brands , Could Contain Lead. NPR reports that the Food and Drug Administration has issued an advisory that several brands of cinnamon could potentially contain lead. The six brands impacted by the advisory are: , La Fiesta, Marcum, MK, Swad, Supreme Tradition and El Chilar. . These brands are commonly on sale at discount stores and were found to contain between 2.03 and 3.4 parts per million of lead. The FDA said that while no illnesses have been linked to the products, it has recommended a voluntary recall of the cinnamon brands. It is important to note that the lead levels found in the ground cinnamon products listed above are significantly lower than lead levels in cinnamon in the recalled apple sauce pouches removed from the market this past fall, FDA statement, via NPR. The FDA added that the impacted products , "could be unsafe for prolonged use.". NPR reports that long-term lead exposure in children can lead to slower development, brain and nervous system damage, as well as behavioral and learning problems. According to the CDC, while adults can experience similar impacts, higher amounts of exposure are necessary. The FDA said that "historically, lead chromate has been illegally added to certain spices" to increase their weight and enhance their color, "which increases the monetary value of the adulterated spices." . FDA's leading hypothesis remains that this was likely an act of economically motivated adulteration, FDA statement, via NPR

Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories    Duration: 01:31Published
FDA Approves Marketing That Cites Yogurt's Ability to Reduce Diabetes Risk [Video]

FDA Approves Marketing That Cites Yogurt's Ability to Reduce Diabetes Risk

FDA Approves Marketing , That Cites Yogurt's Ability , to Reduce Diabetes Risk. NBC reports that the Food and Drug Administration has decided that food makers can advertise that regularly consuming yogurt could reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes. NBC reports that the Food and Drug Administration has decided that food makers can advertise that regularly consuming yogurt could reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes. The decision comes following a 2018 petition from Danone North America, which owns major yogurt brands Dannon, Activia, Wallaby Organic and Silk. . The decision comes following a 2018 petition from Danone North America, which owns major yogurt brands Dannon, Activia, Wallaby Organic and Silk. . The petition sought to have the FDA allow the company to market yogurt's ability to reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes without objection. On March 1, the FDA confirmed that it would not oppose the marketing campaign, while including some caveats. . Those caveats include that the marketing must note that evidence is limited to eating two cups, equal to three servings, of yogurt per week. . NBC reports that Danone's petition is part of a standard process which the FDA calls "qualified health claims.". While these claims do not require the FDA's approval, companies often petition the agency to define the specific language necessary to avoid making false claims. The petition reportedly cited yogurt's nutrient profile of proteins, vitamins and low sodium. The petition also cited studies which have supported the link between regularly consuming yogurt and reduced risk of diabetes and related conditions. The petition also noted that the evidence supports the health effects of yogurt as a food rather than related to any single nutrient or compound and thus is independent of fat or sugar content. , FDA announcement, via NBC

Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories    Duration: 01:31Published
Expert Advice About Daily Caffeine Consumption [Video]

Expert Advice About Daily Caffeine Consumption

Expert Advice About Daily , Caffeine Consumption. NBC reports that while research has shown the positive long-term health effects of coffee, high caffeine consumption also comes with risks. . Studies have found that those include increased risk of dementia and stroke, in addition to a higher risk of death from cardiovascular disease. . According to experts, people with pre-existing health conditions may experience more of coffee's negative side effects. . The Food and Drug Administration suggests people limit daily caffeine intake to 400 milligrams, equal to about four or five 8-ounce cups. According to the FDA, people are unlikely to experience serious side effects unless they consume 1,200 milligrams, or approximately 12 cups daily. Tricia Psota, a dietitian with Nutrition on Demand, warns that even 400 milligrams of caffeine can be associated with side effects like jitteriness, anxiety and difficulty sleeping. According to Psota, some people have a lower tolerance for caffeine and are more likely to experience negative side effects. According to Jessica Sylvester, a dietition at the Florida Nutrition Group, with everyone's tolerance varying, there are warning signs that you've had too much caffeine. . Within those milligram or cup of coffee recommendations, if you start feeling overly tired and the caffeine is not helping, then you’ve got to stop, Jessica Sylvester, Dietition at the Florida Nutrition Group, via NBC. If your heart starts beating incredibly fast, you’ve got to stop. It’s different for each person, Jessica Sylvester, Dietition at the Florida Nutrition Group, via NBC

Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories    Duration: 01:31Published

Related videos from verified sources

New COVID Boosters To Be Released Before They’re Tested on Humans [Video]

New COVID Boosters To Be Released Before They’re Tested on Humans

New COVID Boosters To Be Released , Before They’re Tested on Humans. According to a 'Wall Street Journal' report, the FDA is set to approve the new booster shots that target Omicron and its..

Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories     Duration: 01:31Published
UK first to offer dual Covid vaccine booster [Video]

UK first to offer dual Covid vaccine booster

A new bivalent vaccine which targets both the original and Omicron Covid strains is to be rolled out this autumn as part of a booster programme. Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at..

Credit: ODN     Duration: 01:17Published