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COVID-19 Vaccine

Politics
Trump Selects Vaccine-Skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. As Secretary Of Health, Human Services Trump Selects Vaccine-Skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. As Secretary Of Health, Human Services
Trump Selects Vaccine-Skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. As Secretary Of Health, Human Services President-elect Donald Trump tapped a controversial New Yorker to oversee public health. Robert F Kennedy Jr. is his choice for secretary of health and human services, Trump announced Thursday, Nov. 14.  "For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to Public Health," Trump said on Truth Social. Earlier Report: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Suspends Presidential Bid, Backs Donald Trump "The Safety and Health of all Americans is the most important role of any A…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
FDA Approves Updated COVID-19 Vaccines: Here's When They Will Be Available FDA Approves Updated COVID-19 Vaccines: Here's When They Will Be Available
FDA Approves Updated Covid-19 Vaccines: Here's When They Will Be Available The US Food and Drug Administration has just approved new COVID-19 vaccines.It marks the third time the vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna have been updated to match circulating strains since the original shot. The shots should be available within days, the FDA said in making the announcement Thursday afternoon, Aug. 22. The new vaccines have been updated with a formula to more closely target currently circulating variants and provide better protection against serious consequences of COVID, including hospitalization and death. “Vaccination continues to be the cornerstone of COVID-19 preventi…

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by Joe Lombardi
Politics
President Kennedy? Former Westchester Resident RFK Jr. Announces 2024 Bid For White House President Kennedy? Former Westchester Resident RFK Jr. Announces 2024 Bid For White House
President Kennedy? Former Westchester Resident RFK Jr. Announces 2024 Bid For White House There's now a possibility of another Kennedy back in the White House if the political winds blow in the right direction. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. - son of the late US Attorney General and New York Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of President John F. Kennedy - filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to run for president in the 2024 election, he announced Friday, April 7. The 69-year-old will run as a Democrat, according to his FEC filing. He said that he will officially kick off his campaign in Boston on Wednesday, April 19. “I am grateful for the outpouring of support…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
COVID-19: Updated Vaccine Boosts Protection Against Omicron, Moderna Says COVID-19: Updated Vaccine Boosts Protection Against Omicron, Moderna Says
Covid-19: Updated Vaccine Boosts Protection Against Omicron, Moderna Says Biotechnology company Moderna announced its goal to release an updated booster vaccine this summer after data analysis showed the booster's superior protection against the Omicron variant compared to its original vaccine.  The company said in an announcement on Wednesday, June 8, that data analysis shows that its Omicron-containing bivalent COVID vaccine shows superior neutralizing antibody response against Omicron one month after administration compared to its original vaccine. Moderna said the side effects of the new booster dose are comparable to a booster dose of its original …

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by Nicole Valinote
News
COVID-19: New 'Deltacron' Variant Identified For First Time COVID-19: New 'Deltacron' Variant Identified For First Time
Covid-19: New 'Deltacron' Variant Identified For First Time A new hybrid COVID-19 strain combining the Delta and Omicron variants of the virus has been confirmed for the first time and is being tracked by the World Health Organization (WHO). Researchers reported that they now have solid evidence regarding the first confirmed case of “Deltacron,” though it is not believed to be considered a cause of concern as the number of vaccines and people with natural immunity continue to rise across the globe. The “Deltacron” variant had previously been suspected in several countries, but scientists in Paris submitted a full genomic sequence on Tuesday, March 8…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Here's When FDA May Roll Out Fourth Vaccine Dose COVID-19: Here's When FDA May Roll Out Fourth Vaccine Dose
Covid-19: Here's When FDA May Roll Out Fourth Vaccine Dose Federal health officials have started discussing when to potentially roll out another COVID-19 booster shot as the world continues combating the pandemic. US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officials said this week that they have been assessing the latest COVID-19 data, though it is too early to commit to a potential fourth dose of the vaccine for Americans. FDA spokesperson Alison Hunt told CNN that they are “indeed continually looking at the emerging data on the pandemic and variants in the United States and overseas in order to evaluate the potential utility and composition of booster…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Johnson & Johnson Pauses Vaccine Production, Reports Say COVID-19: Johnson & Johnson Pauses Vaccine Production, Reports Say
Covid-19: Johnson & Johnson Pauses Vaccine Production, Reports Say The only Johnson & Johnson facility currently making viable batches of the company's one-dose COVID-19 vaccine has temporarily halted its production, according to a new report. According to The New York Times, Johnson & Johnson has stopped production of its current vaccine, potentially to create a more profitable version aimed at other viruses. With production on hold at its Dutch facility in the city of Leiden, hundreds of millions of doses could be taken out of circulation, though it is unclear how vaccine supplies in the US have been affected. Ayoade Alakija, a co-head of the A…

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by Zak Failla
Business
COVID-19: Pfizer Launches Clinical Trial For Vaccine Targeting Omicron Variant COVID-19: Pfizer Launches Clinical Trial For Vaccine Targeting Omicron Variant
Covid-19: Pfizer Launches Clinical Trial For Vaccine Targeting Omicron Variant New York-based Pfizer and its European partner BioNTech have launched a clinical study to evaluate a COVID-19 vaccine that specifically targets the Omicron variant. The study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of an Omicron-based vaccine among healthy adults ages 18 through 55, Pfizer announced on Tuesday, Jan. 25. According to a recent update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Omicron variant is estimated to have accounted for 99.5 percent of circulating variants of COVID-19 in the United States between Sunday, Jan. 9, and Saturday, Jan. 15. Pfizer said up t…

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by Nicole Valinote
News
COVID-19: Here's Percentage Of Americans Who Think Pandemic Is Getting Worse, New Poll Says COVID-19: Here's Percentage Of Americans Who Think Pandemic Is Getting Worse, New Poll Says
Covid-19: Here's Percentage Of Americans Who Think Pandemic Is Getting Worse, New Poll Says While some Americans have expressed optimism about the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic being over after the post-holiday surge of infections, the majority still believe that the pandemic is getting worse, according to a new poll. Gallup released new data that found that optimism about the trajectory of the pandemic in the US has fallen precipitously in recent weeks and months, to the highest level in a year. The latest Gallup poll depicting how worried Americans are about the pandemic.Gallup According to the latest poll, which was conducted between Monday, Jan. 3 and Friday, Jan. 14 foun…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Nassau County Woman Accused Of Giving Vaccine To Child Without Mother's Permission COVID-19: Nassau County Woman Accused Of Giving Vaccine To Child Without Mother's Permission
Covid-19: Nassau County Woman Accused Of Giving Vaccine To Child Without Mother's Permission A New York woman has been accused of injecting a child with what is believed to be a COVID-19 vaccine without the permission of the minor's mother. According to detectives on Long Island, the woman, Nassau County resident Laura Parker Russo, age 54, of Sea Cliff, was at her home residence where she administered the injection to the 17-year-old boy, police said.  The boy went home and informed his mother what had occurred, said Nassau County Police.  "The mother had not given permission or authority to have her son injected with a Covid Vaccine and called police," said Nassau Coun…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: US Navy Commander Fired For Refusing To Get Vaccine, Tested COVID-19: US Navy Commander Fired For Refusing To Get Vaccine, Tested
Covid-19: US Navy Commander Fired For Refusing To Get Vaccine, Tested A US Navy commander has been relieved of his duties for refusing to get a COVID-19 vaccine and refusing to be tested for the virus, Navy officials said, according to multiple reports. Cmdr. Lucian Kins was fired as second in command of the USS Winston Churchill, a destroyer, by Navy Capt. Ken Anderson, commander of the destroyer, on Friday, Dec. 10, according to Stars and Stripes, the daily American military newspaper. Getting the COVID vaccine is mandatory for all service members under orders from the Pentagon.  Kins was dismissed for “failing to abide by lawful order," and…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: US Sees Surge Of Cases Among Children; Here's Latest Data COVID-19: US Sees Surge Of Cases Among Children; Here's Latest Data
Covid-19: US Sees Surge Of Cases Among Children; Here's Latest Data With children back in the classroom and activities moving indoors as the calendar turns to the holiday season, the US has seen a spike in new COVID-19 cases among children that are causing concerns. According to a new report, in the past week, more than 122,000 COVID-19 cases were reported among minors, marking a 22 percent increase from approximately two weeks ago. The numbers represent the 14th straight week that child COVID-19 cases topped 100,000, despite the vaccine becoming more readily available for those between the ages of 5 and 12, though the number has dropped since peaking at 25…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Study Shows Chance Of Winter Surge That Could Be Worse Than Delta Variant COVID-19: Study Shows Chance Of Winter Surge That Could Be Worse Than Delta Variant
Covid-19: Study Shows Chance Of Winter Surge That Could Be Worse Than Delta Variant With the weather cooling down and crowded indoor holiday season gatherings fast approaching, a new study is showing that there could be a winter surge of COVID-19 cases that could rival the earlier emergence of the Delta variant. According to a newly released study, researchers are predicting that there is at least a 30 percent chance that states could experience a surge of new infections that could exceed the numbers seen during the spike in cases in mid-September during the variant. With activities moving indoors, there is expected to be a surge in cases, though with more Americans getti…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Walgreens Opens Vaccine Appointments For Children Ages 5 To 11 COVID-19: Walgreens Opens Vaccine Appointments For Children Ages 5 To 11
Covid-19: Walgreens Opens Vaccine Appointments For Children Ages 5 To 11 Walgreens has opened up appointments at thousands of locations across the United States for children ages 5 to 11 to receive the newly-authorized Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. The company announced on Wednesday, Nov. 3, that the lower dose vaccine would be available at certain locations beginning Saturday, Nov. 6.  Walgreens said parents or guardians can schedule appointments on the Walgreens website, on the app or by calling 1-800-Walgreens. More appointments will be made available as stores receive additional vaccine shipments, the company said. “Walgreens pharmacy team members have sig…

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by Nicole Valinote
News
COVID-19: Immunocompromised People May Need Fourth Dose, CDC Says COVID-19: Immunocompromised People May Need Fourth Dose, CDC Says
Covid-19: Immunocompromised People May Need Fourth Dose, CDC Says Some Americans may require a fourth shot of the COVID-19 vaccine if they are immunocompromised, according to new federal guidance. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said that adults 18 and older who received the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines and are moderately or severely immunocompromised may get a fourth dose at least six months after getting their third shot, the guidance states. Officials cautioned that Johnson & Johnson recipients “should not receive more than two COVID-19 vaccine doses,” though a second is recommended. The CDC authorized a thir…

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by Zak Failla
Business
COVID-19: Reporter Leaving Network Due To Company's Vaccine Mandate COVID-19: Reporter Leaving Network Due To Company's Vaccine Mandate
Covid-19: Reporter Leaving Network Due To Company's Vaccine Mandate A television reporter announced that she is leaving the network after refusing to comply with the company's COVID-19 vaccine mandate.  In a five-minute video posted to Instagram, Allison Williams announced that she will no longer work for ESPN effective next week after her request for an exemption in order to not receive the vaccine was denied by the all-sports network. She said her desire to have another child is a reason she chose not to get vaccinated, citing experiences women have shared with her about symptoms they attribute to the vaccine.  The Centers for Disease Control a…

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by Nicole Valinote
Business
COVID-19: Longtime TV News Anchor Loses Job For Refusing To Get Vaccine COVID-19: Longtime TV News Anchor Loses Job For Refusing To Get Vaccine
Covid-19: Longtime TV News Anchor Loses Job For Refusing To Get Vaccine A longtime and popular TV news anchor was let go after refusing to comply with a companywide COVID-19 vaccine requirement. Meggan Gray, who worked as a morning news anchor at dual ABC/CBS-affiliated WLOX in Biloxi, Mississippi, said she made the decision not to get vaccinated, despite Gray Television's requirement for employees. She said she decided not to get vaccinated because she already had COVID-19, along with other "more powerful" reasons. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said it recommends that people who have had COVID-19 get vaccinated because research hasn'…

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by Nicole Valinote
News
COVID-19: Here's When Vaccine Rollout May Start For Kids Ages 5 To 11 COVID-19: Here's When Vaccine Rollout May Start For Kids Ages 5 To 11
Covid-19: Here's When Vaccine Rollout May Start For Kids Ages 5 To 11 The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine could be available to children ages 5 and older late in the fall or early this winter, according to a company board member. Former Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb told CNBC that he believes the company's COVID vaccine will be approved for emergency use for children ages 5 to 11 sometime this fall or winter. Gottlieb told the news outlet that the application will likely be submitted to the FDA in October.  He said the FDA will likely take four-to-six weeks to review the application, so the emergency use authorization c…

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by Nicole Valinote
News
COVID-19: Brand-New CDC Study Reveals Vaccines' Effectiveness Against Delta Variant COVID-19: Brand-New CDC Study Reveals Vaccines' Effectiveness Against Delta Variant
Covid-19: Brand-New CDC Study Reveals Vaccines' Effectiveness Against Delta Variant A study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines at preventing infection may have decreased as the delta variant has become the predominant strain in the United States. Health care personnel, first responders and other frontline workers across six states were tested weekly for COVID-19 over the course of 35 weeks, the CDC reported. The agency reported that throughout the study, full vaccination against COVID-19 was 80 percent effective at preventing infection among the frontline workers "further affirming the …

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by Nicole Valinote
News
COVID-19: FDA Grants Full Approval For Pfizer Vaccines, With More Mandates Now Expected COVID-19: FDA Grants Full Approval For Pfizer Vaccines, With More Mandates Now Expected
Covid-19: FDA Grants Full Approval For Pfizer Vaccines, With More Mandates Now Expected The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted full approval to the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for anyone 16 and older. On Monday, Aug. 23, the FDA announced that the Pfizer vaccine has been granted full approval, which is expected to potentially open the door for more COVID-19 vaccine mandates. The Pentagon will mandate vaccines for its 1.4 million active-duty service members, following the FDA approval Monday. United Airlines recently said its employees will be required to show proof of vaccination within five weeks of regulatory approval.  Pfizer is the first COVID-1…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
COVID-19: Broadway To Require Vaccines, Masks At All Theaters COVID-19: Broadway To Require Vaccines, Masks At All Theaters
Covid-19: Broadway To Require Vaccines, Masks At All Theaters Broadway lovers anxious to see the bright lights flick back to life will need to have a COVID-19 vaccine and mask in order to attend any show. The Broadway League announced Friday, July 30, that the owners and operators of all 41 Broadway theatres in New York City will require vaccinations for audience members, as well as performers, backstage crew, and theatre staff, for all performances through October.  Masks will also be required for audiences inside the theatre, except while eating or drinking in designated locations. Under the policy, guests will need to be fully vaccinated with…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
COVID-19: Outbreak Of 31 Cases Hits Upstate NY Sleepaway Summer Camp COVID-19: Outbreak Of 31 Cases Hits Upstate NY Sleepaway Summer Camp
Covid-19: Outbreak Of 31 Cases Hits Upstate NY Sleepaway Summer Camp A COVID-19 outbreak at an upstate New York summer sleepaway camp has resulted in 31 confirmed positive cases with many campers returning home. Camp Pontiac is located in Copake, New York, in Columbia County, in the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains.  It's a seven-week camp for boys and girls aged 7 to 16 from all over the country. The 31 cases are all in campers between 7 and 11 years old, an age group now ineligible to get the COVID vaccine. There were no positive cases in kids at the camp age 12 and over, who are eligible to get vaccinated. The camp reported the first …

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by Joe Lombardi
Lifestyle
COVID-19: Health Officials Racing To Find Ways To Change Young People's Vaccine Hesitancy COVID-19: Health Officials Racing To Find Ways To Change Young People's Vaccine Hesitancy
Covid-19: Health Officials Racing To Find Ways To Change Young People's Vaccine Hesitancy The reluctance of many younger Americans to get vaccinated for COVID-19 is the largest reason the country is not expected to reach President Joe Biden’s stated goal of having 70 percent of the population vaccinated by Independence Day. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), only 47.3 percent of Americans between the ages of 18 and 24 have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and just 31.9 percent are fully vaccinated. Comparatively, 52.6 percent of 25 to 39 years old have received a first dose and 43.6 percent are fully vaccinated. The CDC noted that 62…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
COVID-19: CDC Reveals Percentage Of Americans Who Haven't Gotten Second Dose COVID-19: CDC Reveals Percentage Of Americans Who Haven't Gotten Second Dose
Covid-19: CDC Reveals Percentage Of Americans Who Haven't Gotten Second Dose A significant number of Americans who received their first COVID-19 shot have missed their second dose, causing concern as the number of new cases from the Delta variant grows, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC said this week that more than 10 percent of Americans have received just one dose and opted to skip the second vaccine, which could prove problematic as the more transmissible Delta COVID-19 variant continues to rapidly spread and become more dominant. According to the CDC, just 88 percent of those who received one dose of the Moderna or Pfize…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Reports Of Heart Inflammation In Some Adolescents Getting Vaccines Prompt CDC Probe COVID-19: Reports Of Heart Inflammation In Some Adolescents Getting Vaccines Prompt CDC Probe
Covid-19: Reports Of Heart Inflammation In Some Adolescents Getting Vaccines Prompt CDC Probe Red flags are flying for federal health officials following reports of heart inflammation in some adolescents who have been getting the COVID-19 vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is getting involved as concerns grow. In response to the recent reports, the CDC called for an emergency meeting later this week. According to reports, the CDC is investigating more than 225 cases of heart inflammation among adolescents who received the vaccine. Most of the victims reporting cases were teens or men in their early 20s. The CDC said that among those recovering from COV…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: These States Giving Away Guns, Trucks, Pot As Incentives To Get Vaccinated COVID-19: These States Giving Away Guns, Trucks, Pot As Incentives To Get Vaccinated
Covid-19: These States Giving Away Guns, Trucks, Pot As Incentives To Get Vaccinated Some states are getting creative as they look to incentivize Americans to go out and get the COVID-19 vaccine. Across the country, states are offering lottery tickets, free drinks, vacations, custom weapons, scholarships, and even marijuana as the race continues to meet President Joe Biden’s promise of getting 70 percent of adults at least partially vaccinated by Independence Day. In Connecticut, the state’s Restaurant Association is partnering with Gov. Ned Lamont to launch its #CTDrinksOnUs campaign, where participating restaurants provide complimentary drinks to vaccinated patrons. New …

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Pfizer Begins Vaccine Study On Younger Children COVID-19: Pfizer Begins Vaccine Study On Younger Children
Covid-19: Pfizer Begins Vaccine Study On Younger Children Pfizer is moving forward with new clinical tests on thousands of children under the age of 12 as they look to expand the authorization of its COVID-19 vaccine. The company announced on Tuesday, June 8 that it will enroll up to 4,500 children between the ages of 6 months and 12 years old in the United States, Finland, Poland, and Spain with the intention of getting emergency use authorization before school begins in the fall. Currently, the Pfizer vaccine has only been authorized for use in children 12 and older. According to Pfizer, it has selected a dose of 10 micrograms in children betw…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Here's What States Are Now Offering Cash Prizes To Get Vaccines, How It's Working COVID-19: Here's What States Are Now Offering Cash Prizes To Get Vaccines, How It's Working
Covid-19: Here's What States Are Now Offering Cash Prizes To Get Vaccines, How It's Working Several states have introduced “lotteries” in an effort to encourage residents to go out and get the COVID-19 vaccine. This week, more states introduced various vaccine lotteries, with eligible adults in those states receiving lotto tickets, or entering drawings to receiving upwards of millions of dollars. Some states that were the earliest to introduce these lotteries have seen a surge in people coming out for the vaccine, with some representing more than a 50 percent week-to-week increase in vaccination appointments. States offering a prize include: Ohio is offering a $1 million jackp…

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by Zak Failla
Business
COVID-19: Wegmans Lifts Mask Mandate For Stores In One Of Five States In Its Footprint COVID-19: Wegmans Lifts Mask Mandate For Stores In One Of Five States In Its Footprint
Covid-19: Wegmans Lifts Mask Mandate For Stores In One Of Five States In Its Footprint With the number of Americans receiving the COVID-19 vaccine and virus-related numbers improving across the country, Wegmans has amended its guidance on mask-wearing in select areas. Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provided updated guidance on mask-wearing for fully vaccinated people that includes not having to wear facial coverings indoors and not having to socially distance themselves from others. Wegmans announced on Wednesday, May 19 that “in accordance with the latest CDC guidance, fully vaccinated customers are no longer required to wear a face-covering …

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: CDC Issues Brand-New Guidance On Mask-Wearing Indoors COVID-19: CDC Issues Brand-New Guidance On Mask-Wearing Indoors
Covid-19: CDC Issues Brand-New Guidance On Mask-Wearing Indoors The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is easing indoor mask-wearing guidance for Americans who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19. On Thursday afternoon, May 13, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky announced the new guidance at a White House briefing, saying that anyone who has received both shots of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or the one-dose Johnson & Johnson shot can safely stop wearing masks indoors, except under some circumstances. The new guidance calls for continued mask-wearing in more crowded indoor spaces such as on mass transportation, hospitals, prisons, or …

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: CDC Advisory Panel Endorses Use Of Pfizer Vaccine In Children 12 And Up COVID-19: CDC Advisory Panel Endorses Use Of Pfizer Vaccine In Children 12 And Up
Covid-19: CDC Advisory Panel Endorses Use Of Pfizer Vaccine In Children 12 And Up A panel of experts advising the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) voted to move forward with the approval process for the use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine among children between the ages of 12 and 15. By a 14-0 vote on Wednesday afternoon, May 12, the CDC panel recommended the use of the Pfizer vaccine in children 12 and up, with the decision now moving forward to CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky for final approval. Once approved by Walensky, which is expected to happen quickly, it will be at states’ discretion about whether or not to move forward vaccinating children. …

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by Zak Failla