Health Highlights: Sept. 8, 2020

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Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:

States Should Prepare for COVID Vaccine by Nov. 1: U.S. Surgeon General

Even though it’s not likely to happen, states should be prepared to distribute a coronavirus vaccine by Nov. 1, the U.S. Surgeon General said Sunday.

“We’ve always said that we are hopeful for a vaccine by the end of this year or beginning of next year,” Dr. Jerome Adams told ABC News, CNN reported. “That said, it’s not just about having a vaccine that is safe and effective — it’s about being ready to distribute it.”

Echoing previous comments by public health officials, Adams said a coronavirus vaccine is possible, but not probable, by Nov. 1.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has told state public health officials to be ready to distribute a coronavirus vaccine by late October or early November, CNN reported.

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Biden Says He’d Get Approved Coronavirus Vaccine Immediately

Joe Biden says he’d get vaccinated against the new coronavirus immediately if a proven one was available.

“I would want to see what the scientists said,” Biden replied. “I want full transparency on the vaccine,” the Democratic presidential nominee told CBS News.

Many Americans say they’re anxious about getting a vaccine if one becomes available.

Only 21% of U.S. voters nationwide now say they would get a vaccine as soon as possible if one became available at no cost, down from 32%, in late July, according to a CBS News poll released Sunday.

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No Evidence That Food is Source of Coronavirus Transmission: Experts

It’s highly unlikely that food is a source of new coronavirus transmission, international experts say.

They found very little evidence that the coronavirus might be carried on food or food packaging, which echoes earlier findings by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, CNN reported.

“To date, there has not been any evidence that food, food packaging or food handling is a source or important transmission route for SARS-CoV-2 resulting in COVID-19,” the International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods said in a statement.

“There are no foods that should be considered a risk or warrant consideration as a vector for SARS-CoV-2,” the statement added.

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