New FDA seasonal COVID-19 shot guidance seeks ‘evidence based’ approach

New FDA seasonal COVID-19 shot guidance seeks ‘evidence based’ approach

The FDA says the new approach will aim to balance a timely approval process for vaccines, while also weighing “the need for evidence" of their effectiveness for the masses.

The FDA says the new approach will aim to balance a timely approval process for vaccines, while also weighing “the need for evidence" of their effectiveness for the masses.

COVID-19 variants will keep coming until we can slow transmission of virus

COVID-19 variants will keep coming until we can slow transmission of virus

You may want to brush up on your Greek letters. This cycle, of going from one COVID-19 variant to the next, is likely not going anywhere anytime soon, says Dr. Michael Teng, a public health expert from USF.  

You may want to brush up on your Greek letters. This cycle, of going from one COVID-19 variant to the next, is likely not going anywhere anytime soon, says Dr. Michael Teng, a public health expert from USF.  

AY4.2 variant: CDC says new delta sublineage of COVID-19 seen in US

AY4.2 variant: CDC says new delta sublineage of COVID-19 seen in US

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the CDC, said Wednesday the AY4.2 sublineage recently identified in the United Kingdom has also been observed in the United States.

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the CDC, said Wednesday the AY4.2 sublineage recently identified in the United Kingdom has also been observed in the United States.

Does delta variant make COVID-19 worse for children?

Does delta variant make COVID-19 worse for children?

The delta variant has been identified in at least 180 countries, according to the World Health Organization.

The delta variant has been identified in at least 180 countries, according to the World Health Organization.

Delta variant creates new challenges for achieving herd immunity, experts say

Delta variant creates new challenges for achieving herd immunity, experts say

Earlier in the pandemic, before the delta variant came around, medical experts said the United States could achieve herd immunity if 60% to 75% of the population was vaccinated or had antibodies.

Earlier in the pandemic, before the delta variant came around, medical experts said the United States could achieve herd immunity if 60% to 75% of the population was vaccinated or had antibodies.

Take a rare look inside Tampa General Hospital's Global Emerging Diseases Institute

Take a rare look inside Tampa General Hospital's Global Emerging Diseases Institute

The Global Emerging Diseases Institute at Tampa General Hospital is a specialized unit for treating COVID-19 patients. Media is rarely allowed inside, but on Friday, September 10, FOX 13 was granted access to the packed facility. 

The Global Emerging Diseases Institute at Tampa General Hospital is a specialized unit for treating COVID-19 patients. Media is rarely allowed inside, but on Friday, September 10, FOX 13 was granted access to the packed facility. 

As Florida mask fight rages, more children hospitalized

As Florida mask fight rages, more children hospitalized

About 60 children are being admitted per day to Florida hospitals for COVID-19, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, up from about five per day throughout much of the pandemic — even previous surges.

About 60 children are being admitted per day to Florida hospitals for COVID-19, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, up from about five per day throughout much of the pandemic — even previous surges.

COVID in context: Doctors say slight increase in vaccinated patients not cause for concern

COVID in context: Doctors say slight increase in vaccinated patients not cause for concern

Sarasota Memorial Hospital reported a recent uptick in vaccinated people needing to be hospitalized for severe illness due to COVID-19, but public health experts are adding context to the increase.

Sarasota Memorial Hospital reported a recent uptick in vaccinated people needing to be hospitalized for severe illness due to COVID-19, but public health experts are adding context to the increase.

CDC panel still has questions about need for booster shots

CDC panel still has questions about need for booster shots

The path to third doses for vaccinated people may not be clear as the nation approaches President Biden’s September 20 rollout goal.

The path to third doses for vaccinated people may not be clear as the nation approaches President Biden’s September 20 rollout goal.

Pfizer-BioNTech seeks FDA approval for third dose of its COVID-19 vaccine

Pfizer-BioNTech seeks FDA approval for third dose of its COVID-19 vaccine

In a statement released by the company on Wednesday, Pfizer-BioNTech said patients who received a booster shot up to eight months after their two-dose regimen were given three times the protection from the novel coronavirus.

In a statement released by the company on Wednesday, Pfizer-BioNTech said patients who received a booster shot up to eight months after their two-dose regimen were given three times the protection from the novel coronavirus.

Florida hospital ICU beds fill as delta variant spreads

Florida hospital ICU beds fill as delta variant spreads

Staffing shortages continue to remain a concern for Florida hospitals, as nearly 94 percent of the state’s adult intensive-care unit beds are occupied, data posted Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services show. 

Staffing shortages continue to remain a concern for Florida hospitals, as nearly 94 percent of the state’s adult intensive-care unit beds are occupied, data posted Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services show. 

BTS cancels world tour due to COVID-19 surge

BTS cancels world tour due to COVID-19 surge

The BTS tour was originally announced in January 2020 and slated to begin in April, stopping at 17 venues worldwide with 38 concerts across Asia, Europe and North America to promote BTS’s new album “Map of the Soul: 7.”

The BTS tour was originally announced in January 2020 and slated to begin in April, stopping at 17 venues worldwide with 38 concerts across Asia, Europe and North America to promote BTS’s new album “Map of the Soul: 7.”

Monoclonal antibody treatment sites open in Tampa, Hudson; Tropicana Field next

Monoclonal antibody treatment sites open in Tampa, Hudson; Tropicana Field next

Monoclonal antibodies battle the virus by mimicking a person’s immune system and work best when administered early. It's given through an IV and takes about an hour to receive.

Monoclonal antibodies battle the virus by mimicking a person’s immune system and work best when administered early. It's given through an IV and takes about an hour to receive.

New variants concern health officials as factors impacting booster shots evolve

New variants concern health officials as factors impacting booster shots evolve

Doctors are working out how to get FDA-authorized third doses into immuno-compromised people to protect them against COVID-19, as the federal government considers booster shots for the rest of the general public in an evolving pandemic.  

Doctors are working out how to get FDA-authorized third doses into immuno-compromised people to protect them against COVID-19, as the federal government considers booster shots for the rest of the general public in an evolving pandemic.  

Bay Area hospital update: Unvaccinated COVID-19 patients filling beds

Bay Area hospital update: Unvaccinated COVID-19 patients filling beds

BayCare, Tampa General Hospital, Sarasota Memorial Hospital, and AdventHealth all report the same thing: The COVID-19 delta variant is sending largely unvaccinated people to the hospital.

BayCare, Tampa General Hospital, Sarasota Memorial Hospital, and AdventHealth all report the same thing: The COVID-19 delta variant is sending largely unvaccinated people to the hospital.