Following is a summary of current health news briefs.

New US COVID guidelines add confusion, complications for Americans seeking shots

Americans headed to pharmacies for COVID-19 vaccines are running into roadblocks and confusion due to new U.S. guidance that abandoned broad support for the shots, contributing to the lowest vaccination rates since they were introduced. For the four-week period ended October 3, COVID immunizations were down about 25% nationally, according to IQVIA data in analysts' research notes.

BioCryst deepens rare diseases focus with $700 million deal for Astria

BioCryst Pharmaceuticals said on Tuesday it would buy Astria Therapeutics in a cash-and-stock deal valued at about $700 million, strengthening its rare diseases portfolio. The offer implies a per-share valu

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