Health

Health
As COVID cases rise among kids, teens targeted for vaccination
As the state warns of widespread and growing transmission of COVID-19 among kids, local officials and school districts are teaming up to vaccinate teens 16 and older.
COVID-19 hospitalizations tumble among U.S. senior citizens
COVID-19 hospitalizations among older Americans have plunged 80 percent since the start of the year, dramatic proof the vaccination campaign is working. Now the trick is to get more of the nation's younger people to roll up their sleeves.
Would dispatching social workers instead of cops save lives?
Since 2015, more than 1,400 people with mental illness have been killed by police — nearly a quarter of all fatal police shootings. That’s led some cities to dispatch mental health professionals to respond to some 911 calls instead of police. Does this new approach reduce the violence? 
Surprise: The charge for his spine surgery after a car crash topped $700,000
Generous personal injury coverage on your auto insurance policy may not be enough to cover your medical bills. Patients can get financially blindsided when car and health insurance policies differ.
How long does protection from COVID-19 vaccines last?
Experts are still studying vaccinated people to determine if and when boosters might be needed. So far, evidence indicates shots by Pfizer and Moderna last at least six months, and likely longer.
MN urges more COVID-19 youth testing, OKs playing sports maskless outdoors
“We really do believe that the end of the pandemic is in sight, but we’re not there yet,” Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm told reporters Thursday. While the current case wave seems to be cresting, proms, graduations and other spring school events are “not a given.”
FDA inspection found problems at factory making Johnson and Johnson vaccine
U.S. regulators say the Baltimore factory contracted to make Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine was dirty, didn’t follow proper manufacturing procedures and had poorly trained staff. The problems resulted in contamination of a batch of material that was going to be put in the shots.