Business as usual won’t be enough to combat the next public health crisis, experts say. The U.S. must tackle long-standing health problems, too.
Author: Karen Weintraub and Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY
South Africa finds omicron ‘highly transmissible’ and more resistant to COVID-19 vaccines
The omicron variant is substantially more contagious and reduces the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, according to a new South Africa study.
CDC panel recommends Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for kids 5-11, shots expected to roll out this week
CDC experts find the benefits of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for kids 5 -11 outweigh risks. Once the director gives his final OK, shots are likely to begin this week.
FDA committee moves Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine closer to use for children ages 5-11
In children ages 5-11, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was more than 90% protective against contracting symptomatic COVID-19, according to company data.
FDA OKs mixing COVID vaccine boosters, backs Moderna, J&J boosters
The CDC still needs to sign off on the measure before booster shots of the Moderna and Johnson and Johnson vaccines become available.
FDA panel supports Moderna COVID-19 booster shots for older Americans and other adults at higher risk of infection
The Moderna COVID-19 booster shot will be a half-dose of the vaccine already given. Data showed it was safe and as effective at the lower dose.
CDC endorses COVID-19 vaccine boosters for people 65 and older, high-risk patients
The CDC endorsed booster shots for millions of older and high-risk Americans, opening a major new phase in the U.S vaccination drive against COVID-19.
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine becomes first to win FDA’s full approval, paving way for boosters, mandates
The FDA’s decision to fully license the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is likely to trigger more mandates and allow marketing of the shot.
New strains of COVID swiftly moving through the US need careful watch, scientists say
Each COVID-19 infection increases the risk of a mutation that could make it more infectious, deadlier, or different enough to make vaccines not work.
COVID-19 vaccine rollout hasn’t worked, but change is coming, vaccine panel predicts
USA TODAY’s expert vaccine panel is optimistic the nation’s chaotic early vaccination effort should improve under the incoming Biden administration.