Medical Treatments

CDC Director On Global Vaccine Deliveries, Variants, Masks And Mass Eviction Threats

4:45pm August 03, 2021

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with CDC Director Rochelle Walensky about the Biden administration's effort to increase vaccination internationally.

Amid A Vast Need For Vaccinates Worldwide, Millions Of Doses In The U.S. Are Expiring

8:20pm August 02, 2021

by Will Stone

Even with much of the world in desperate need of COVID-19 vaccines, health officials in the U.S. say millions of doses could soon expire and sending those shots overseas isn't so simple.

Breakthrough COVID-19 Infections Are Rare, But Delta Poses Risks To Vaccinated People

4:53pm August 02, 2021

by Joe Palca

Breakthrough COVID-19 infections are still quite rare, but scientists are now learning more about the risks posed by the delta variant to people who are vaccinated.

As part of a clinical study, a patient with Alzheimer's disease receives an infusion of aducanumab at a Providence, R.I., hospital in 2019. Aducanumab is being marketed as Aduhelm.

Health & Safety

A New Alzheimer's Drug Comes With Lots Of Questions About How To Use It

5:36pm July 29, 2021

by Jon Hamilton

Weeks after the Food and Drug Administration approved the Alzheimer's drug Aduhelm, doctors are struggling to figure out who should get the drug and how to use it safely.

Truvada, one of the medications authorized for PrEP, recently went generic. PrEP is now required to be covered by insurance providers.

The Federal Government Is Making HIV Prevention Treatment Free — But There's A Catch

1:12pm July 29, 2021

The brand-name version of the once-daily pill that is 99% effective at preventing HIV used to cost upwards of $1,800 a month. Federal guidance now makes getting the drug with insurance cheaper.

Pfizer Says A 3rd Dose Of Its COVID-19 Vaccine Boosts Immunity

4:53pm July 28, 2021

by Joe Palca

Pfizer presented data to investors showing that a third dose of its COVID-19 vaccine boosts immunity. The company believes everyone will need a boost eight to 12 months after receiving a second shot.

Medical Experts Are Still Figuring Out How To Use Controversial Alzheimer's Drug

4:53pm July 28, 2021

by Jon Hamilton

At a scientific meeting in Denver, Colo., doctors who treat Alzheimer's patients are figuring out how they will use the newly approved drug Aduhelm, which has had conflicting evidence of its efficacy.

People walk along a main street in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn on Thursday in New York City.

Are You A COVID Long Hauler? Send Us Your Questions About Living With Chronic Illness

5:00am July 27, 2021

by Mallory Yu

COVID-19 symptoms can linger for months after recovery, commonly known as 'post-COVID syndrome.' NPR's Consider This podcast would like to hear your questions about living with long COVID.

New York City Mandates Municipal Workers Be Vaccinated By Mid-September

5:02pm July 26, 2021

by Jasmine Garsd

New York City announced that government workers, including teachers and police, must be vaccinated by mid-September. Those who refuse will have to wear masks indoors and submit to weekly testing.

With new infections rising around the country due to the delta variant, reports of breakthrough cases among the fully vaccinated can be worrisome.

Worried About Breakthrough COVID Cases? Here's What To Know

5:02pm July 21, 2021

Fully vaccinated Olympic athletes and members of Congress have tested positive for the virus. Should you be worried? How common are breakthrough infections, and are they rising?