NM House passes clean fuel standard

Americans want climate solutions, finds Yale research. Meanwhile, flu is on the rise, and not enough Americans are vaccinated. (546 words, 2 minutes, 43 seconds)

Flu’s on the rise, but vaccination rates lag

Just as COVID-19 seems to be slowing, influenza is on the rise—and not enough Americans have vaccine protection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The trends: 16.2% of U.S. lab tests for flu came back positive in the last week of January, compared to 14.4% for the week before. “There have been at least 20 million illnesses, 230,000 hospitalizations, and 14,000 deaths from flu so far this season,” says the CDC.

We have vaccines—but less than half the population has been vaccinated, CDC says. This is even true for higher-risk groups—children (47.8%), those over 65 (43.4%), and pregnant people (35.7%).

Flu vaccines work, protecting against severe outcomes. The CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get vaccinated. (And it’s not too late, the CDC adds.)

Meanwhile, COVID-19 spread may have slowed, but it just went through the second-highest surge after Omicron in 2021-22, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) also surged last month.

The bottom line: Vaccines offer the best protection against influenza, COVID-19, and RSV, so get your shots!

Americans want climate solutions, finds Yale research

While opinions about climate change vary by region, a majority of Americans want government support for research to address the issue, Yale's interactive map shows.

Drilling down: The map takes data from national-level surveys and uses modeling to determine the percentages of people who agree with a statement in a specific state, county, or congressional district. While the map proves opinions change by region, researchers also found opinions evolved over time.

Growing awareness: 10 years ago, Yale researchers found 63% of Americans nationwide believed global warming was happening. As of 2023, 72% say the same.

Government action expected: 79% of American adults support funding for renewable energy research, while 54% say the president should do more to address global warming, and 62% say Congress should do more.

It’s a trend: In a recent poll commissioned by BIO, 66% of respondents said federal policymakers should prioritize incentives for biotech companies to devote resources to solving the challenges brought by climate change.

BIO’s view: “Understanding public opinion is important as we move forward from COP28. Having a clearer picture shows us that people at all levels care about seeing meaningful innovation and change, such as the work BIO member companies are involved in, to protect our communities and meet this growing climate challenge,” said Tamra Spielvogel, BIO’s Director of Climate Policy.

President Biden’s Tuesday: Holding a reception at the White House for Black History Month.

What’s Happening on Capitol Hill: The House Oversight Committee will mark up several bills, including H.R. 6283, the Delinking Revenue from Unfair Gouging (DRUG) Act, which addresses abuses by pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). The House Budget Committee will also mark up legislation, including H.R. 766, the Preventive Health Savings Act. The House Energy & Commerce Oversight Subcommittee will hold a hearing, Protecting American Health Security: Oversight of Shortcomings in the FDA’s Foreign Drug Inspection Program. Looking ahead, on Wednesday, BIO Board Member Eddie Sullivan, co-founder and President of SAb Biotherapeutics, will testify before the House Ways and Means Committee about the World Trade Organization’s Ministerial meeting at the end of the month, where an IP waiver for COVID-19 diagnostics and therapeutics is likely to be discussed.