What We're Reading: DOJ to Protect Abortion Access; Pfizer Booster Distribution Announced; Eviction, COVID-19 Risk Linked

Department of Justice Vows to Protect Abortion Access

With the Supreme Court allowing Texas to enact its law on banning abortions after approximately 6 weeks of pregnancy, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced today it would protect people’s access to the procedure. As reported by USA Today, the law has no exemptions in cases of rape or incest and would also allow citizens to sue providers and anyone involved in “aiding and abetting” abortions. Notably, abortion providers said the law would restrict 85% of procedures in Texas.

Pfizer Booster Shot Distribution Aims for Week of September 20

Reported by CNBC, White House Chief Medical Advisor Anthony Fauci, MD, said yesterday that wide distribution of Pfizer’s booster shot against COVID-19 is expected to begin the week of September 20. Pending approval from public health officials, the Pfizer booster dose may get FDA and CDC approval in time for the expected date, whereas Moderna’s third dose may be delayed further. Fauci recommended for people who were given 2 doses of the Moderna vaccine to wait for its third dose instead of taking a Pfizer booster. US data on mixing vaccines from different manufacturers is expected to be published in the next few weeks, added Fauci.

Lifting Eviction Moratoriums May Increase Risk of COVID-19

According to research published in JAMA Network Open, adult residents from US states that lifted eviction moratoriums implemented during the pandemic were found to be at increased risk for COVID-19 in the 5 to 12 weeks that followed compared with states where the bans remained. Reported by CIDRAP, this research comes as the Supreme Court recently said the CDC exceeded its authority in implementing a national eviction moratorium on September 4, 2020, when approximately 47% of residents from rental properties were likely to have faced eviction. Highest risks of infection were observed in residents with underlying medical conditions, those living in lower socioeconomic areas, and people paying high rents.