Flu, Covid vaccination rates decline, as U.S. health officials make new push for inoculations Vaccination rates against flu and Covid-19 have declined since earlier in the pandemic and a new survey suggests significant portions of the U.S. population intend to forgo these vaccines this fall. Helen Branswell STAT

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Biden administration draws commitment from health insurers to cover COVID-19 shots The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) met with representatives from the health insurance industry on Wednesday, receiving commitments that the updated COVID-19 vaccines will be covered … jchoi The Hill

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London's Gatwick Airport limits flights this week due to staff illness, including COVID-19 Gatwick Airport, London’s second-busiest, is limiting flights this week, partly because of an outbreak of COVID-19 within air traffic control. AP News

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Gatwick said around 30% of staff in the division within air traffic control are off sick for a variety of reasons, including COVID-19.

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Only about 1 in 4 American adults definitely wants the updated Covid-19 vaccine, new survey finds | CNN When it comes to getting the updated Covid-19 vaccines this year, only about 1 in 4 American adults say they definitely plan to get the shot, according to new survey findings from the nonprofit health policy group KFF. Roughly another quarter of adults say they will probably get the shot. Brenda Goodman CNN

ALSO SEE: Gallup’s quarterly poll finds some Americans are more worried about COVID — doctors weigh in

What Happens to Health Programs if the Federal Government Shuts Down? - KFF Health News Medicare and Medicaid shouldn’t be affected, but confusion can be expected. Lynne Shallcross KFF Health News

For the first time since 2019, congressional gridlock is poised to at least temporarily shut down big parts of the federal government — including many health programs.

EU in talks with Moderna over new deal for COVID vaccines - FT The European Union is in talks with Moderna over a new supply deal for the company's COVID-19 vaccines amid concerns over a rise in infections in the region, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday, citing two people familiar with the matter. Reuters Reuters

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COVID patients at higher risk of new cardiovascular, cerebrovascular conditions amid Delta wave LightFieldStudios / iStock CIDRAP

A large study from Singapore suggests that COVID-19 infection increased the risk of new-onset cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications during the Delta variant era and that vaccination lowered the risk.

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A blood test for long Covid is possible, new research suggests Scientists can now show key differences in the blood of those who recover from Covid — and those who don't. NBC News

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Scientists have found clear differences in the blood of people with long Covid — a key first step in the development of a test to diagnose the illness.

Almost 7% of adults and 1% of kids have struggled with long Covid, survey finds | CNN Estimates of the number of people in the US with lingering Covid-19 symptoms vary widely, but a new survey from the National Center for Health Statistics says the condition may have affected as many as 962,000 children and 17.9 million adults. Jen Christensen CNN

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Long Covid was most likely in women, Hispanic people, adults who lived in rural areas and adults ages 35 to 49. Asian adults were the least likely to have long Covid, as were people whose family income was 400% more than the federal poverty level.

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