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U.S. suggests a 'pause' in Johnson & Johnson vaccine over clot reports

U.S. suggests a 'pause' in Johnson & Johnson vaccine over clot reports

The U.S. is recommending a “pause” in administration of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine to investigate reports of potentially dangerous blood clots. In a joint statement Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration say they are investigating clots in six women in the days after vaccination, in combination with reduced platelet counts. "Right now, these adverse events appear to be extremely rare." the statement added. [Source: WUSF]

Telehealth expansion moves forward but some say it leaves a few important provisions out

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic there have been few silver linings. But health experts say one good thing the pandemic has caused is an expansion of telehealth. A proposal to keep many of the state’s pandemic-era telehealth practices in place is moving forward, but some say a few important provisions aren't including in the legislation. [Source: WUSF]

U.S. colleges divided over requiring student vaccinations

U.S. colleges hoping for a return to normalcy next fall are weighing how far they should go in urging students to get the COVID-19 vaccine, including whether they should — or legally can — require it. Universities including Rutgers, Brown, Cornell and Northeastern recently told students they must get vaccinated before returning to campus next fall. They hope to achieve herd immunity on campus, which they say would allow them to loosen spacing restrictions in classrooms and dorms. But some colleges are leaving the decision to students, and others believe they can’t legally require vaccinations. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

University of Florida Health, NVIDIA develop artificial intelligence model to hasten clinical trials, boost medical decision-making

Researchers with the University of Florida’s academic health center — UF Health — announced today that they have collaborated with NVIDIA researchers to create GatorTron™, an artificial intelligence transformer natural language processing model intended to accelerate research and medical decision-making by extracting insights from massive volumes of clinical data with unprecedented speed and clarity. [Source: UF Health]

DeSantis wants $4 million for medical marijuana quality control testing

Gov. Ron DeSantis has asked the Legislature to beef up the Florida Office of Medical Marijuana Use with more than $4 million in next year’s state budget, which includes funding to finally start lab testing medical marijuana for the first time in years. The bulk of DeSantis’ $4 million request would go toward new rules by the Florida Department of Health for quality control testing for all types of marijuana products. [Source: Politico]

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Under the program, FEMA is making up to $9,000 in federal aid is available for COVID-19 related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020

› Osceola health department cutting back on testing, despite rising COVID-19 cases in Florida
Even though COVID-19 cases are on the rise in Florida, the health department in Osceola County is cutting back on testing.

› Covid disease damage leading to 'completely new category' of organ transplants
In a year when Covid-19 shattered the pleas of so many who prayed for miracles, a Georgia man with two new lungs is among the fortunate.

› Florida hospital to bring back laid-off workers, warns of 'alarming' Medicaid cuts
Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Fla., has recovered enough volume to bring back some employees who were laid off last year, but warned challenges are not over.