— Cocaine, cannabis users at highest risk by Molly Walker, Deputy Managing Editor, MedPage Today October 6, 2021 Fully vaccinated individuals with substance use disorders were more likely to have breakthrough COVID-19 infections than those without such disorders, researchers found. Adjusted analyses found that breakthrough infections were higher in patients with all types of substance use disorder, except tobacco, and were the highest among cocaine users (HR 2.06, 95% CI 1.30-3.25) and cannabis users (HR 1.92, 95% CI 1.39-2.66), reported Lindsey Wang, PhD, of Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, and colleagues.… Read the rest

The increase in risk is seen within four weeks after the vaccination, mainly within the first two weeks…’ By editor October 6, 2021 Sweden’s State epidemiologist Anders Tegnell of the Public Health Agency of Sweden speaks during a news conference, in Stockholm. / PHOTO: Fredrik Sandberg / TT via AP (Associated Press) Swedish health authorities on Wednesday suspended the use of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine for those ages 30 and under, saying the move was done out of precaution.… Read the rest

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Alisa Odenheimer and Robert Langreth   (Bloomberg) — Immunity provided by the Covid-19 vaccine from partners Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE weakens significantly within months, with men having less protection than women, according to research that supports the use of booster doses. © Bloomberg A Senior Living Facility Administers A Third Covid-19 Dose To ResidentsProtective antibodies decreased continuously during the six months after the administration of the second dose of the vaccine, according to a study of about 5,000 Israeli health workers, published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine.… Read the rest

“Another example of Big Pharma reaping billions from public investment into research by charging extortionate, rip-off prices for lifesaving Covid drugs.” JAKE JOHNSON October 6, 2021 The New Jersey-based pharmaceutical giant Merck is facing accusations of price gouging after it charged the U.S. over $700 per patient for a taxpayer-funded coronavirus treatment that, according to research, costs just $17.74 to produce.… Read the rest

By Ivan Pentchoukov October 5, 2021 Vermont, the state with the highest vaccination rate in the United States, is experiencing a CCP virus surge at levels not seen since the pandemic’s peak last winter. The number of cases in Vermont is at a record level, hospitalizations are close to the records notched last winter, and the state recorded the deadliest day and the second deadliest month of the pandemic in September.… Read the rest