The lab-made treatment has expanded beyond people with mild cases of COVID. It’s now also used to shield high-risk groups from contracting the virus.
Robin Erb
Robin Erb covers a range of health issues in Michigan, including the industry of aging and the issues facing older residents in Michigan, a state that is aging faster than most others. She joined Bridge in 2019 and has led investigations that tracked millions of dollars in opioid settlement money and explored severe worker shortages in health care that threaten lives and the state's economy. She chronicled the shock and grief of Michigan families in COVID’s wake, as well as state policy decisions and the triumphs of medical breakthroughs. Robin previously spent six years covering health at the Detroit Free Press, documenting the battle over, and the eventual passage of, the Affordable Care Act and Michigan's Medicaid expansion. She studied communications and political science at Miami University and has a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Lourdes University (Toledo, Ohio). She and her husband raised two wonderful children — but have failed miserably at training their Beagle-Bassets — in southeast Michigan. Reach her at rerb@bridgemi.com.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
COVID vaccine for kids 5 to 11 clears another federal hurdle
The FDA authorized the Pfizer pediatric vaccine Friday, following recommendations from its advisory committee. Next up: CDC consideration Tuesday, which means the vaccine could be authorized for young children by the end of next week.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
COVID vaccine for 825,000 Michigan children nearer to federal approval
The Pfizer pediatric vaccine, shown as 91 percent effective for children 5 to 11, cleared an FDA advisory panel Tuesday. Gov. Whitmer is seeking to expedite shipment of the vaccine, which could be approved by next week.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan private insurers no longer waiving costs for COVID treatment
Hospitalized patients, who are largely unvaccinated, may now face thousands of dollars in deductibles, copays and other out-of-pocket fees. With vaccines broadly available, nearly all large insurers have ended cost waivers.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Federal authorities to weigh COVID vaccine for children 5 to 11 Tuesday
More than 800,000 Michigan children are in this age group. Pfizer says its vaccine is 91 percent effective in keeping young children free of COVID-19. If approved, young children may be eligible for vaccines by early November.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Where to get COVID vaccine boosters in Michigan
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has now authorized boosters for all three, U.S.-approved COVID vaccines. Getting one should be a snap for any eligible person seeking added protection against the deadly virus.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
FDA okays all COVID vaccine boosters and mix-and-match strategy
If the CDC follows suit Thursday, as expected, vaccinated Michiganders should be able to get a booster by the end of the week, even one that is different from the vaccine they received initially.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
COVID vaccine boosters: When, where and how to get them in Michigan
The impending federal approval of Moderna and J and J boosters leaves plenty of questions about who is eligible for which vaccine, how to find them and whether you can also schedule a flu vaccine.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
400 workers out, 1,900 exempt after Henry Ford COVID vaccine mandate
The Detroit-based hospital system made the numbers public after a deadline passed for staff to get vaccinated. A dozen Michigan health systems were surveyed on staff vaccine rates, offering varying levels of transparency.
Posted inTalent & Education
COVID outbreaks in Michigan schools already 8 times higher than last year
Experts attribute the rise to more students in classrooms, fewer masks and a more contagious delta variant, sending infections up in Michigan classrooms.