Israel’s COVID-19 boosters are preventing infections, new studies suggest Protection increases in the weeks following a third dose, but it’s unclear how long the effect will last newsfromscience

Israel’s nationwide campaign to provide its population with COVID-19 vaccine boosters appears to benefit recipients. A third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine significantly lowers the risk of infection, according to two new studies.

American Medical Association calls for 'immediate end' to use of The American Medical Association (AMA) is calling for the "immediate end" to the use of ivermectin to treat COVID-19, and for doctors to stop prescribing it for that purpose, amid a spike in the use Peter Sullivan TheHill

The American Medical Association (AMA) is calling for the "immediate end" to the use of ivermectin to treat COVID-19, and for doctors to stop prescribing it for that purpose, amid a spike in the use of the drug. 

What can employers do if workers avoid COVID-19 vaccines?

They can require vaccination and fire employees who don’t comply, or take other actions such as withholding company perks or charging extra for health insurance.

Businesses for months have been encouraging workers to get vaccinated, in some cases offering incentives like time off or gift cards. But more are taking a harder stance and requiring vaccinations for any remaining holdouts, a push that has gained momentum since Pfizer’s vaccine recently received full approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Employers “feel like they’ve sort of hit that point where the unvaccinated are not going to do it unless there’s something significant making them do it,” said Wade Symons, a partner with Mercer, a benefits consultant.

It’s legal for businesses to require the shots, and they could fire employees who don’t comply. In other cases, workers might be required to wear masks or get regular tests for the virus. Some companies also are considering making the unvaccinated pay more for their health insurance. ....

Since the beginning of the pandemic, doctors have found that people who become very ill with Covid-19 often experience kidney problems, not just the lung impairments that are the hallmark of the illness.

Now, a large study suggests that kidney issues can last for months after patients recover from the initial infection, and may lead to a serious lifelong reduction of kidney function in some patients.

How Covid data gaps allowed Delta to proliferate Eighteen months into the pandemic, Louisiana and more than 20 other states are still trying to fill key gaps in data while fighting the most aggressive version yet of the virus. Erin Banco POLITICO

When new Covid-19 infections and hospitalizations began soaring in Louisiana in July, state health officials were struggling with data gaps that blinded them to the full threat of the Delta variant.

Study: Vaccination lowers long Covid risk, even when people are infected The research is among the earliest evidence that immunization reduces the risk of long Covid even when a breakthrough infection occurs. Andrew Joseph STAT

People who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 appear to have a much lower likelihood of developing long Covid than unvaccinated people even when they contract the coronavirus, a study published Wednesday indicated.