Demographics

Updated boosters are cutting the risk of getting sick from Covid-19 by about half | CNN The updated Covid-19 boosters are cutting the risk that a person will get sick from the coronavirus by about half, even against infections caused by the rapidly spreading XBB.1.5 subvariant. Brenda Goodman CNN

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China records 1st population fall in decades as births drop BEIJING (AP) — China’s population shrank for the first time in decades last year as its birthrate plunged, official figures showed Tuesday, adding to pressure on leaders to keep the economy growing despite an aging workforce and at a time of rising tension with the U.S. AP NEWS

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Covid-19 antibody levels jump among elderly after autumn booster The 35-49 age group now has the lowest estimated level of antibodies. Ian Jones, PA AOL

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Some 96.3% of people aged 80 and over in England were likely to have antibodies at the start of December 2022, up from 89.2% in early September.

For 75 to 79-year-olds, the proportion stands at 95.8%, up from 87.4%.   ...

The figures are “likely a result of the vaccination booster campaign”, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which has published the data.

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Large new review underscores the risks of Covid-19 during pregnancy | CNN Pregnant women and their developing babies are at higher risk for severe outcomes if they get Covid-19, and now a large, international review is helping to underscore how devastating those risks can be. Brenda Goodman CNN

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