What We’re Reading: Booster Shot Updates; Climate Change Causing Distress; Pediatric COVID-19 Cases Increasing

Review Finds Booster Shots Not Currently Needed for General Public

According to an expert review of scientific evidence on COVID-19 vaccine efficacy published in The Lancet, booster doses were indicated to not be needed for the general public at this time. Reported by CNBC, findings from researchers, which included scientists of the FDA and World Health Organization, show that COVID-19 vaccines in the United States continue to provide highly effective protection against severe disease and hospitalization caused by the Delta variant. Acknowledging that booster shots may be needed at a later date, the researchers said there are risks associated with distributing booster doses too soon, such as potential incidence of myocarditis, which is more common after the second dose of mRNA vaccines.

Climate Crisis Causing Psychological Distress in Young People

As reported by ABC News, a study published today in Lancet Planetary Health found a significant incidence of anxiety in young people related to climate change and government handling of such crises. Surveying 10,000 people aged 16 to 25, 45% of respondents said their feelings of climate change negatively affect their daily life and functioning, with 75% also reporting fear of the future. Notably, 58% of young people said governments are betraying them and 61% said governments are not protecting them, the planet, or future generations.

Pediatric COVID-19 Cases Have Increased Nearly 240% Since July

A recent American Academy of Pediatrics study shows that COVID-19 infections in US children has markedly increased, by about 240%, since early July, when kids accounted for 71,726 cases. Reported by CNN, nearly 500,000 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported among children in the last 2 weeks, which comes as students under the age of 12, who are not eligible for vaccination, are beginning in-person classes nationwide. Currently, children account for 29% of all cases reported across the country.