Updated COVID boosters; Infant peanut exposure; AI improves breast cancer detection rate by 20% - Morning Medical Update

Updated COVID boosters

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) could authorize Pfizer's updated COVID boosters as early as the end of this month. The latest booster is designed to target the XBB.1.5 subvariant which has been circulating since last winter. The booster rate is low in the United States with only 17% receiving a shot.

Infant peanut exposure

Research shows that letting infants take a small, supervised taste of peanuts could prevent 80 to 90 percent of peanut allergies. Experts advise to first speak with a pediatrician to determine if they are high risk or not. Some primary care doctors even offer to do it in office to ease parents’ worries.

AI improves breast cancer detection rate by 20%

A Swedish study of over 80,000 women found that artificial intelligence is 20% more effective at detecting breast cancer than traditional screening by radiologists. While the results are promising, lead author Kristina Lång from Lund University in Swedensaid said these results alone are not enough proof that AI should be permanently introduced into medicine. The study is currently ongoing.