CDC signs off on new COVID shot

Most Americans should get an updated COVID-19 vaccination, health officials.

Advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) endorsed new COVID-19 vaccinations for everyone 6 months and older. The CDC's director quickly signed off on the panel’s recommendation Sept. 12.

Doses should be available this week.

The severity of the COVID-19 pandemic has faded, but still there are thousands of hospitalizations and hundreds of deaths in America weekly.

Hospitalizations have been increasing since late summer, though the latest data indicate infections may be starting to level off, particularly in the South. 

Still, experts worry immunity from previous vaccinations and infections is fading people, and a new shot would save many lives. (The AP 09/12/23)

In separate medical-related news ... 

FDA panel advises PE no more effective than dummy pills

The leading decongestant used by millions of Americans looking for relief from a stuffy nose is no better than a dummy pill, according to government experts who reviewed the latest research on the long-questioned drug ingredient. 

All 16 advisers to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) voted Sept. 12 against the effectiveness of the key drug - phenylephrine - found in popular versions of Sudafed, Dayquil and other medications stocked on store shelves. 

The FDA assembled its outside advisers to take another look at phenylephrine, which became the main drug in over-the-counter decongestants when medicines with an older ingredient — pseudoephedrine — were moved behind pharmacy counters. 

A 2006 law had forced the move because pseudoephedrine can be illegally processed into methamphetamine. 

The original versions of those type medications remain available without a prescription, but are less popular and account for about 20% of the $2.2B market for oral decongestants. 

Phenylephrine versions - oft labeled "PE" - make up the rest.

If the FDA follows through on the recommendations, drugmakers may be required to pull oral medications containing phenylephrine from store shelves. It would likely force consumers to switch to the behind-the-counter pseudoephedrine products or to phenylephrine-based nasal sprays and drops. (The AP 09/23)