In what was described as a “historic” setback, U.S. life expectancy fell from nearly 79 years in 2019 to 76 in 2021, the National Center for Health Statistics reported. The decrease was most steep among Native Americans and Alaska Natives. (The New York Times)
The Food and Drug Administration authorized COVID-19 boosters from Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech that specifically target Omicron strains of the virus. The shots could be available at pharmacies and doctors offices within a week. (The Washington Post)
Texas has reported what is believed to be the first fatal case of monkeypox in the U.S. The state’s department of health did not share extensive details about the victim, but said that it was an adult who was “severely immunocompromised.” (STAT)
An effort in California to allow teenagers age 15 and up to receive COVID-19 vaccines without parental consent has failed in the state assembly. The bill would have allowed teens to receive any vaccine approved by the Food and Drug Administration, regardless of parental approval. (AP)
Small amounts of radioactivity have been detected in air samples collected in southern Finland, but the country’s nuclear safety watchdog downplayed the risk to humans. “The observed radioactivity has no impact on the environment or human health, as the concentrations were very low,” the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority said in a statement. (Reuters)
