What We’re Reading: Bird Flu Vaccines; Walmart Health Shut Down; Arizona Repeals Abortion Ban

US Readies Vaccines for Potential Spread of Bird Flu Among Humans

Amid concerns over a strain of bird flu circulating in dairy cows potentially spreading to humans, US federal health officials have announced readiness to deploy vaccines should the need arise, according to NBC News. Although there's currently no evidence of person-to-person transmission, preparations are underway given the virus' prevalence in dairy herds across several states. Vaccine candidates are already available, with plans to ship hundreds of thousands of doses within weeks if the situation escalates.

Walmart to Close Health Centers Amid Retail Health Challenges

Walmart's decision to close its Walmart Health centers in 5 states, along with its virtual care services, reflects the significant challenges retail players face in disrupting primary care, according to Fierce Healthcare. The closure of all 51 health centers underscores issues related to sustainability, profitability, and operational costs. This move has marked a dramatic shift from the retailer's earlier plans to expand its health care footprint, aligning with similar struggles faced by other retailers like Walgreens as they scale back their primary care clinic chains.

Arizona Lawmakers Repeal Civil War–Era Abortion Ban Amid Political Fallout

Arizona lawmakers voted to repeal the state's long-standing Civil War–era abortion ban, according to Politico. The repeal preserves access to abortion for millions of women and marks a significant shift from previous efforts to uphold the 1864 ban. Democrats had been leveraging the ban to rally support ahead of the November election, but Republicans, fearful of electoral consequences, ultimately joined Democrats in passing the repeal.