Health

Health
 Brand new booster paired with some hopeful COVID trends
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved a new COVID-19 booster shot yesterday that targets the recently circulating BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants. The new Pfizer-BioNTech booster is available for anyone age 12 or older, while Moderna’s new version is for anyone age 18 or older.  
Autism centers say they are in a staffing crisis
In a trend that is more acute in the last two years, centers for autistic people in Minnesota have been struggling to find enough staff members — and the money to pay them.
CDC recommends new booster shots to fight omicron
CDC Director Rochelle Walensky has signed off on updated versions of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines that target the original virus and the omicron subvariants.
Twin Cities, Duluth nurses set 3-day strike starting Sept. 12
The decision by the union representing some 15,000 nurses in Duluth and across the Twin Cities comes weeks after union members voted to authorize a strike. Negotiations are ongoing.
Osterholm: 'Stay current' on upcoming COVID booster shots
Upgraded COVID-19 vaccines are on the way. On Wednesday, the Food and Drug Administration approved new, reformulated versions of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. Michael Osterholm joins MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to share what that means for our immunity against new and future strains of the virus.
With Monkeypox, there's an emotional toll along with the physical symptoms
Monkeypox cases are still climbing in Minnesota, with 123 confirmed cases in the state so far. MPR News health reporter Michelle Wiley talks with Cathy Wurzer about her conversations with those who have had monkeypox and the health care professionals focused on the virus.
Avian flu resurfaces in a Meeker County turkey flock
The west-central Minnesota flock was quarantined and destroyed to stop the spread of the disease. Health officials say this strain of avian flu poses a low risk to the public. Poultry and eggs are safe to eat when handled and cooked properly.
U.S. clears updated COVID boosters targeting newest variants
U.S. regulators have authorized updated COVID-19 boosters, the first to directly target today's most common omicron strain. The move on Wednesday by the Food and Drug Administration tweaks the recipe of shots made by Pfizer and rival Moderna that already have saved millions of lives.