Vaccines

COVID-19 variants are back in the news as a fresh variant of the virus is on the rise in the eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia and western Pacific regions of the world.

More than 80,000 people globally die every year from snake bites, according to the World Health Organization. But Tim Friede is trying to bring that number down — by using himself as a test case.

The Mexican border state of Chihuahua reported 1,041 confirmed measles cases. Around half are in a single municipality.

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs on Tuesday vetoed a pair of bills focused on vaccine exemptions for students.

A study published in Nature shows a connection between the shingles vaccine and delayed dementia symptoms. A local Alzheimer’s specialist says the study’s results are noteworthy.

As the measles outbreak continues in Texas and New Mexico, Arizona health expert weighs in on who should get the booster.

There’s been increasing anxiety over the last several weeks about an outbreak of measles in Texas and New Mexico. Public health officials in the Southwest are sounding the alarm — including Will Humble, executive director of the Arizona Public Health Association.

Arizona’s largest egg producer has lost more than a million chickens to bird flu as the deadly virus spreads fast. He says the government has to allow them to vaccinate their flocks before it spreads to humans.

Bird flu is forcing farmers in Arizona and beyond to euthanize millions of laying hens and driving up egg prices. Experts say producers may have to starting using a vaccine on birds, and some worry the virus could mutate to affect humans.

State lawmakers have full committee agendas this week as the legislative session continues getting going. Among the issues they’ll be debating: cryptocurrency, unemployment benefits and vaccines.