Health News Roundup: French company Carmat announces first implant of its artificial heart in a woman; EU says people vaccinated with AstraZeneca shots should be able to travel to U.S and more

Following is a summary of current health news briefs. What you need to know about the coronavirus right now Here's what you need to know about the coronavirus right now: J&J says second shot boosts protection for moderate-severe COVID-19 to 94% EU says people vaccinated with AstraZeneca shots should be able to travel to U.S The European Commission said on Tuesday it would make sense for the United States to allow travel by people vaccinated with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 shots, although existing U.S. guidance already authorises those travellers.

Following is a summary of current health news briefs.

French company Carmat announces first implant of its artificial heart in a woman

French artificial heartmaker Carmat announced on Tuesday that it had carried out the first implant of its Aeson artificial heart in a woman. The company said the procedure had been performed at the UofL Health - Jewish Hospital by University of Louisville physicians in the United States.

EU says people vaccinated with AstraZeneca shots should be able to travel to U.S

The European Commission said on Tuesday it would make sense for the United States to allow travel by people vaccinated with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 shots, although existing U.S. guidance already authorises those travellers. On Monday, the White House said it would lift restrictions from November that bar EU citizens, including those fully vaccinated, from traveling to the United States.

Poland recommends COVID-19 booster shot for people over 50

Poland will recommend a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for people over 50 as well as healthcare workers, a deputy health minister said on Tuesday. Waldemar Kraska said the booster would be administered at least 6 months after the second shot. A third dose was already recommended earlier for the immuno-compromised.

J&J says second shot boosts protection for moderate-severe COVID-19 to 94%

Johnson & Johnson said Tuesday the second shot of its COVID-19 vaccine given about two months after the first increased its effectiveness to 94% in the United States against moderate to severe forms of the disease. That compares to 70% protection with a single dose.

Argentina loosens COVID-19 restrictions, will ease open borders

Argentina on Tuesday unveiled plans to ease COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, including loosening strict border controls, allowing more commercial activities and getting rid of the mandatory wearing of face masks outdoors. Health Minister Carla Vizzotti said the easing of rules would allow more economic, industrial and commercial activities in closed places, while maintaining prevention measures.

How India flipped its vaccine fortunes

Only months ago, India ran so short of COVID-19 vaccines that computer experts wrote software code https://www.reuters.com/world/india/high-tech-hunt-scarce-covid-19-vaccines-india-raises-fear-fairness-2021-05-05 to help people snag scarce immunisation slots and the then health minister had to constantly battle opposition criticism on social media. The minister later quit and in came a little-known but hands-on politician, Mansukh Mandaviya, who, according to a person close to him, communicates with vaccine producers on a near daily basis and tries to resolve their problems promptly.

Romania could offer third Covid-19 vaccine dose from next week

Romania could start offering a third COVID-19 vaccine dose to medical staff and at-risk people as early as next week as the number of new daily cases was rising sharply, the head of the national vaccination committee said on Tuesday. Romania is trailing European Union vaccination lists, with just over a fifth of the population, or 5.2 million people, inoculated amid distrust in state institutions.

Indian foreign minister urges UK to resolve COVID quarantine dispute

India's foreign minister on Tuesday urged Britain to remove a rule requiring Indians visiting there to quarantine even if they are fully vaccinated. India's Covishield vaccine, developed by AstraZeneca and manufactured in India by Pune-based Serum Institute, is not recognised by Britain under new rules despite being identical to the doses given to millions of Britons.

Biden calls on U.S. Supreme Court to protect abortion rights

President Joe Biden's administration urged the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday not to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion nationwide in an upcoming case concerning a restrictive Mississippi law. The administration brief backs Jackson Women's Health Organization, the only abortion clinic in Mississippi, in its fight over the state's attempt to ban the procedure after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

 

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