On Aging

As we get closer to a COVID-19 vaccine, it's exciting to imagine a day when the virus is gone. But a vaccine will not be a magic bullet. In fact, it may be only about 50% effective.

A COVID-19 Vaccine May Be Only 50% Effective. Is That Good Enough?

12:30pm September 12, 2020

by Allison Aubrey

Scientists are racing to develop a vaccine that proves "safe and effective." It may not prevent infection in everyone who gets it, but it still could eventually stop the pandemic. Here's how.

There are divides when it comes to who is doing well financially and who is struggling during this pandemic, a new poll finds.

Pandemic Financially Imperils Nearly Half Of American Households, Poll Finds

1:03pm September 10, 2020

by Yuki Noguchi

There are dividing lines when it comes to how families are weathering the pandemic: Those living in big cities, those making less than $100,000 a year, and Latino and Black families are faring worst.

How To Care For Older People In The Pandemic (And A Printable Guide!)

12:27pm September 04, 2020

by Malaka Gharib

Three experts share advice on how to help the older people in our lives — parents, grandparents, neighbors, relatives, friends — feel comfortable and safe in the pandemic.

Several influenza vaccines have been made in the form of a nasal spray, instead of an injection. The sprays confer two kinds of immunity to the recipient but can be difficult technologically to make.

What A Nasal Spray Vaccine Against COVID-19 Might Do Even Better Than A Shot

12:15pm August 28, 2020

by Joe Palca

A vaccine against the coronavirus needs to keep people from getting very sick and dying. But preventing the spread of the disease is also important, and vaccines delivered by nasal spray may do that.

Queue Listen Now

Dr. Pierre Chanoine administers a COVID-19 swab test on a person outside the Pinn Memorial Baptist Church in Philadelphia in April. The group Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium offers testing at various locations to help address heath disparities in Africa

'Racial Inequality May Be As Deadly As COVID-19,' Analysis Finds

5:48pm August 27, 2020

by Maria Godoy

A century of U.S. statistics finds mortality rates and life expectancy were much worse for Black Americans during pre-pandemic years than they have been for white people during the COVID-19 crisis.

FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn (left), Vice President Mike Pence, and Dr. Ella Grach, CEO of Wake Research, at the NC Biotechnology Center in July, where Phase 3 trials for a coronavirus vaccine candidate are underway.

COVID-19 Vaccine May Pit Science Against Politics

3:58pm August 27, 2020

by Joe Palca

New vaccines usually take years to get the approval of the Food and Drug Administration. But the Trump administration suggests the FDA may greenlight a coronavirus vaccine by the end of the year.

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When the pandemic hit this spring, U.S. rural hospitals lost an estimated 70% of their income as patients avoided the emergency room, doctor's appointments and elective surgeries. "It was devastating," says Maggie Elehwany of the National Rural Health Ass

Health & Safety

Rural Hospitals Are Sinking Under COVID-19 Financial Pressures

7:00am August 22, 2020

by Sarah Jane Tribble

America's rural hospitals were struggling even before the pandemic. Now, the loss of revenue from months of deferred treatments and surgeries have pulled more to the brink, as federal relief fades.

A drop-off at a day care last month in the Queens borough of New York City.

Day Care, Grandparent, Pod Or Nanny? How To Manage The Risks Of Pandemic Child Care

5:47pm August 21, 2020

by Katherine Harmon Courage

At least two-thirds of U.S. families are struggling to find safe and affordable child care as the pandemic rages on. NPR asked infectious disease experts to help sort the health risks of each option.

Dr. Deborah Birx speaks to reporters this week outside the Arkansas Governor's Mansion in Little Rock. Birx indicated that data on U.S. COVID-19 hospitalizations will move back to the CDC under a "revolutionary new data system" the agency is developing.

Health & Safety

Birx Stokes Hopes That Key Hospital Data Tracking Will Soon Return To CDC

8:53pm August 20, 2020

by Pien Huang

Dr. Deborah Birx says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is creating a new way to track COVID-19 hospitalizations a month after such data collection was moved outside the agency.

Vaccine-makers are readying 190 million doses of the flu vaccine for deployment across the U.S. this fall — 20 million more doses than in a typical year. A nasal spray version will be available, as well as shots.

2020 Flu Shot Strategy: Get Yours Early In The Season

10:00am August 04, 2020

by Fran Kritz

With the flu season looming, public health officials urge nearly all Americans over 6 months old to get immunized starting next month. Strategize now to avoid getting the flu while COVID-19 is raging.