Season's flu shots put at 50% effective
NEW YORK -- Early signs are suggesting that the current version of the flu vaccine has been more than 50% effective in preventing flu illness severe enough to send a child to the doctor's office, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday. Health experts consider that pretty good.
The vaccines are made each year to protect against three or four different kinds of flu virus. The ingredients are based on predictions of what strains will make people sick the following winter, which aren't always precise.
This flu season has featured two waves, each dominated by a different virus.
Health officials grew worried when it became clear that the vaccine didn't match the Type B flu strain that ended up causing most early season illnesses. But the CDC estimates that the vaccine has been about 50% effective against that strain in children.
And the vaccine has been about 55% effective among kids against the Type A strain that has caused a second wave of flu illnesses.
Vaccines against many infectious diseases aren't considered successful unless they work at least 90% of the time. But flu is particularly challenging, partly because the virus can so quickly change. This season, the vaccine has been 45% effective against both types of flu across all ages.
U.S. health officials have counted 92 child flu deaths this year, up from the same time last year but fewer than were counted by this point in 2018. In all, the CDC estimates at least 14,000 Americans have died of the flu this season.
Court continues block on abortion law
JACKSON, Miss. -- A federal appeals court is keeping a block on a Mississippi law that would ban most abortions at about six weeks -- a stage when many women may not even know they are pregnant.
In a ruling Thursday, a panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with a district court judge who blocked it from taking effect in 2019, soon after it was signed by then-Gov. Phil Bryant, a Republican.
The only abortion clinic in Mississippi sued the state after Bryant signed what would have been one of the strictest abortion laws in the U.S., banning most abortions once fetal cardiac activity can be detected, which is about six weeks. The clinic said it provides abortions until 16 weeks.
With the addition of conservative justices to the U.S. Supreme Court in recent years, several states have been enacting laws aimed at spurring court challenges that could eventually seek to overturn the court's 1973 abortion rights ruling in Roe v. Wade.
Thursday's decision was the second time in recent months that the conservative 5th Circuit has blocked a Mississippi abortion law. In December, the court kept a block on a 2018 Mississippi law that would have banned most abortions at 15 weeks.
Bill to repeal concealed-carry law flops
OKLAHOMA CITY -- An Oklahoma House committee overwhelmingly rejected a bill Thursday to repeal a new law that allows most adults to carry firearms without background checks or training.
Despite the 11-1 vote against his bill by the House Public Safety Committee, state Rep. Jason Lowe, an Oklahoma City Democrat, vowed to continue fighting the law with a signature-gathering effort to put a question on the ballot to repeal it.
"I believe this law is absolutely dangerous," Lowe said. "It's a ticking time bomb, and it's been an absolute disaster."
Dubbed permit-less carry by its opponents, the new law allows must adults to carry firearms, concealed or openly, without a license. It was the first measure signed into law by Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt, and it took effect in November.
Oklahoma's Republican-led Legislature has embraced numerous bills that expand gun rights in Oklahoma. The committee Thursday approved a bill to expand the state's "Stand Your Ground" law that allows someone to use lethal force when defending themselves.
Last week, the Senate approved a bill that would allow more public school teachers to carry firearms in their classrooms.
Winds delay 3 New Orleans parades
NEW ORLEANS -- A high wind advisory for southeast Louisiana prompted a postponement of three parades scheduled to roll Thursday as New Orleans kicks into high gear ahead of Fat Tuesday.
The Krewe of Muses said its parade will be rescheduled to 4:45 p.m. today. The Krewe of Babylon will follow at 5:15 p.m. and the Krewe of Chaos will roll Sunday -- after the Krewe of Thoth.
The rescheduled parades will be floats only, with no additional elements like bands or marching groups.
"It became very clear, probably about noon, that the winds would be higher than we're comfortable with," New Orleans Chief of Homeland Security Colin Arnold said.
The wind advisory for Orleans Parish is in effect from 6 p.m. Thursday through 6 a.m. Friday. Sustained winds between 15 mph and 25 mph, with frequent gusts up to 35 mph are expected, officials said. The high winds are associated with a cold front moving through the area, the city said in a news release.
A Section on 02/21/2020