Health Highlights: Dec. 13, 2021

First real-world studies into vaccine effectiveness against Omicron. The ability of two-dose COVID-19 vaccines to protect against symptomatic infection by the Omicron variant falls significantly short, British research shows, but a booster shot provides considerable protection. Read more

Despite rule, many hospitals aren't disclosing prices online. More than half of U.S. hospitals have yet to comply with recent regulations, leaving many Americans still vulnerable to surprise medical bills, new research shows. Read more

Sex of surgeon, patient may play role in outcomes. In a new study, women who underwent common surgeries involving male surgeons had a 15% higher chance of dying, experiencing a major complication, and/or being readmitted to the hospital within 30 days. Read more

Mom's scent could be key to bond with infant. A new study involving new mothers' T-shirts showed that, even when she wasn't there, a mother's smell went a long way to keeping babies calm. Read more

A new treatment option for severe asthma in kids. A clinical trial finds that the injected monoclonal antibody drug dupilumab significantly reduces a child's odds of serious asthma attacks and improves lung function. Read more