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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
COVID-19: Hochul Urges NYers To Receive New Vaccines Ahead Of Flu Season COVID-19: Hochul Urges NYers To Receive New Vaccines Ahead Of Flu Season
Covid-19: Hochul Urges NYers To Receive New Vaccines Ahead Of Flu Season Now that the new COVID-19 vaccine is available in New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul is urging residents to get their updated shots ahead of this year's respiratory virus illness season. Related story - COVID-19: New XEC Strain 'Just Getting Started' Sparks Concern Amid Summer Wave Of US Cases In an announcement this week, Hochul encouraged eligible New Yorkers to get the new Food and Drug Administration-approved vaccine for the 2024-2025 season, offered by Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax.  According to Hochul, receiving the new vaccine is more pressing as students return to school and …

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by Ben Crnic
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
News
COVID-19: Hochul Urges 'Appropriate Precautions' After New Variant With 30 Mutations Identified COVID-19: Hochul Urges 'Appropriate Precautions' After New Variant With 30 Mutations Identified
Covid-19: Hochul Urges 'Appropriate Precautions' After New Variant With 30 Mutations Identified State health officials say while a newly identified COVID-19 strain that may cause breakthrough infections has not yet been detected in New York, residents should take steps to protect themselves. The BA.2.86 strain, now known as Pirola, has been identified in three states: Michigan, Virginia, and Ohio, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). So far, the BA.2.86 variant has not been detected in New York, where officials have relied on a dual surveillance strategy using wastewater testing and laboratory clinical analysis, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office said. Officials…

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by Michael Mashburn
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: Hudson Valley Infection Rate Over 7 Percent As Cases Climb; New Breakdown By County COVID-19: Hudson Valley Infection Rate Over 7 Percent As Cases Climb; New Breakdown By County
Covid-19: Hudson Valley Infection Rate Over 7 Percent As Cases Climb; New Breakdown By County The positive COVID-19 infection rate in the Hudson Valley has reached a dubious milestone as it crossed the 7 percent threshold after the region saw improving data earlier this year. In the Hudson Valley, the seven-day average percent of positive tests rose from 6.63 percent as recently as Tuesday, May 3, up to 7.35 percent on Thursday, May 5, according to the state Department of Health. Statewide, the average infection rate is also on the rise, up to 6.85 percent on May 5 - down slightly from the previous day - but up dramatically after staying below 2 percent for several weeks earlier in …

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Hudson Valley Sees Uptick In Cases; Here's Latest Data By County COVID-19: Hudson Valley Sees Uptick In Cases; Here's Latest Data By County
Covid-19: Hudson Valley Sees Uptick In Cases; Here's Latest Data By County The positive COVID-19 infection rate in the Hudson Valley ticked down slightly, though the number of newly reported cases is on the rise. In the past week, the average seven-day average COVID-19 positive infection rate in the Hudson Valley rose from 2.27 percent on Monday, March 21 to 2.33 percent the following day before dropping slightly to 2.32 percent of those tested on Wednesday, March 23.  Statewide, the positivity rate is also surging, up from 1.78 percent to 2.02 percent during the same time frame. Just five new virus-related deaths were reported in New York, according to the …

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by Zak Failla
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: NY Nurse, Marine Corps Reservist, Indicted For Vaccination Card Fraud Scheme COVID-19: NY Nurse, Marine Corps Reservist, Indicted For Vaccination Card Fraud Scheme
Covid-19: NY Nurse, Marine Corps Reservist, Indicted For Vaccination Card Fraud Scheme A Long Island nurse and member of the US Marine Corps have been indicted for their roles in an alleged COVID-19 vaccination card fraud scheme, federal authorities announced. An indictment was unsealed on Thursday, Feb. 17 charging Queens resident Jia Liu, age 26, a member of the US Marine Corps Reserve, and Nassau County resident Steven Rodriguez, age 27, of Long Beach, a nurse at a clinic in Hempstead, for their roles in the scheme. US Attorney Breon Peace said that between March 2021 and February 2022, the two allegedly conspired to steal and forge COVID-19 vaccination cards to falsely re…

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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
News
COVID-19: NY Pharmacies To Refund Patients For Vaccine Fees COVID-19: NY Pharmacies To Refund Patients For Vaccine Fees
Covid-19: NY Pharmacies To Refund Patients For Vaccine Fees Reimbursements have been secured for COVID-19 vaccine fees from pharmacies in New York, the Attorney General announced. On Monday, Feb. 7, New York Attorney General Letitia James confirmed that her office has secured refunds for New Yorkers who were wrongfully charged administration fees from Embassy Pharmacy and Fulton Drugs. James said that the two pharmacies charged between $20 and $25 to upwards of 500 customers who received COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic. According to James, the pharmacies have reimbursed all improperly charged customers and agreed to implement stronger trainin…

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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: Hudson Valley Sees Slight Decline In Infection Rate; Here's Latest Rundown By County COVID-19: Hudson Valley Sees Slight Decline In Infection Rate; Here's Latest Rundown By County
Covid-19: Hudson Valley Sees Slight Decline In Infection Rate; Here's Latest Rundown By County The Hudson Valley saw a slight downtick in its positive infection rate for the second time in as many days, though it continues to be among the state's regions most plagued by the rise of the Omicron COVID-19 variant. Since Tuesday, Jan. 4, the seven-day average percentage of positive test results in the Hudson Valley dipped from 23.31 percent to 23.10 percent the following day before hitting 23.08 percent of those tested on Thursday, Jan. 6, still among the highest of the state's 10 regions. Statewide, the positivity rate also dropped during that timeline, from 22.45 percent to 22.36 …

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: NY Teacher Reassigned For Allegedly Giving Child Vaccine Without Consent COVID-19: NY Teacher Reassigned For Allegedly Giving Child Vaccine Without Consent
Covid-19: NY Teacher Reassigned For Allegedly Giving Child Vaccine Without Consent A Long Island woman who is accused of giving a 17-year-old a COVID-19 vaccine without the consent of his parents has been identified as a public school teacher, according to a new report. Laura Parker Russo, age 54, of Sea Cliff, was arrested and charged with New York State Education Law Unauthorized Practice of a Profession, according to the Nassau County Police Department. Earlier report - COVID-19: Nassau County Woman Accused Of Giving Vaccine To Child Without Mother's Permission According to a report from the New York Post, Russo is a science teacher with Herricks Public Scho…

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by Nicole Valinote
News
COVID-19: Hudson Valley Infection Rate Nears 21.5 Percent; These Are Most-Affected Counties COVID-19: Hudson Valley Infection Rate Nears 21.5 Percent; These Are Most-Affected Counties
Covid-19: Hudson Valley Infection Rate Nears 21.5 Percent; These Are Most-Affected Counties The Hudson Valley continues to be among the hardest-hit regions in New York State by the Omicron COVID-19 variant as more than one in five people tested in have had confirmed positive cases of the virus.  The average seven-day positive COVID-19 infection rate in the Hudson Valley remains on the rise, climbing from 19.35 percent on Friday, Dec. 31 to 21.42 percent as of Sunday, Jan. 2, according to the latest update from the state Department of Health. Statewide, the infection rate also continues to rise, from 19.79 percent to 21.49 percent during the same time frame. No region in New …

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: NY Woman Accused Of Giving Vax To Child Without Mom's Permission COVID-19: NY Woman Accused Of Giving Vax To Child Without Mom's Permission
Covid-19: NY Woman Accused Of Giving Vax To Child Without Mom'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: Hudson Valley Sees New Climb In Cases As Infection Rate Nears 5.5 Percent COVID-19: Hudson Valley Sees New Climb In Cases As Infection Rate Nears 5.5 Percent
Covid-19: Hudson Valley Sees New Climb In Cases As Infection Rate Nears 5.5 Percent The positive COVID-19 infection rate in the Hudson Valley took another jump as the state continues to see a surge of new cases as new variants are spreading. In the past three days, the average positive infection rate in the Hudson Valley rose nearly a full percentage point, from 4.65 percent on Tuesday, Dec. 14 to 5.48 percent of those tested for the virus on Thursday, Dec. 16. Statewide, the positive infection rate is also on the rise, from 4.83 percent to 5.73 percent in the past three days, according to the latest update from the New York State Department of Health. Sixty new viru…

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by Zak Failla
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: Hudson Valley See New Increase In Number Of Cases; Latest Breakdown COVID-19: Hudson Valley See New Increase In Number Of Cases; Latest Breakdown
Covid-19: Hudson Valley See New Increase In Number Of Cases; Latest Breakdown More than 1,000 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the Hudson Valley, though the region's positive infection rate held steady. In the latest update from the state Department of Health, the Hudson Valley's seven-day average percentage of positive test results were unchanged for the past two days, at 4.63 percent, the second-lowest rate in the state, with only New York City (2.35 percent) boasting better numbers. Statewide, the positive infection rate dipped slightly, from 4.87 percent to 4.75, according to the Department of Health's latest update. Forty new virus-related deaths were report…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Hudson Valley Sees New Increases In Number Of Cases, Infection Rate; Latest Breakdown COVID-19: Hudson Valley Sees New Increases In Number Of Cases, Infection Rate; Latest Breakdown
Covid-19: Hudson Valley Sees New Increases In Number Of Cases, Infection Rate; Latest Breakdown The positive COVID-19 infection rate of those tested for the virus in the Hudson Valley has hit another new dubious milestone. According to the latest update from the state Department of Health, the average seven-day COVID-19 positive infection rate has spiked above 3.50 percent, from 3.30 percent to 3.51 percent over the last three days, following weeks of waves of new infections. Statewide, the average positivity rate also has been surging, from 3.95 percent to 4.12 percent during the same timeframe, with the numbers expected to continue trending in the wrong direction following the first…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Hudson Valley Sees New Infection-Rate Increase; Latest Case Breakdown By County COVID-19: Hudson Valley Sees New Infection-Rate Increase; Latest Case Breakdown By County
Covid-19: Hudson Valley Sees New Infection-Rate Increase; Latest Case Breakdown By County The holiday season is here, and health officials in the Hudson Valley are cautioning about another possible winter spike as the infection rate continues to creep upward as Thanksgiving approaches. In the Hudson Valley, the seven-day average positive COVID-19 infection rate continues to climb toward 3 percent according to the latest data from the Department of Health, up to 2.95 of those most recently tested. Statewide, the positivity rate is also up, rising to 3.81 percent, causing concern for some. Twenty-seven new virus-related deaths were reported in New York in the latest update from t…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: First-Dose Vaccination Clinic For Children Scheduled In Westchester COVID-19: First-Dose Vaccination Clinic For Children Scheduled In Westchester
Covid-19: First-Dose Vaccination Clinic For Children Scheduled In Westchester Westchester County officials have announced an upcoming first-dose COVID-19 vaccine clinic for children ages 5 to 11. The clinic will take place on Saturday, Nov. 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the county Department of Health clinic in White Plains, the county announced on Tuesday, Nov. 23. The clinic is located at 134 Court St. Appointments for the new clinic can be made here.

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by Nicole Valinote
News
COVID-19: Westchester County To Host Vaccine Clinic For Kids Ages 5-11 This Week COVID-19: Westchester County To Host Vaccine Clinic For Kids Ages 5-11 This Week
Covid-19: Westchester County To Host Vaccine Clinic For Kids Ages 5-11 This Week Westchester County health officials have announced an upcoming COVID-19 vaccine clinic for children ages 5 to 11 this week. The vaccine clinic will take place in White Plains from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 20, the Westchester County Department of Health announced. The clinic will be located at the Westchester County Department of Health White Plains Clinic at 134 Court St. A parent or legal guardian must be present. Appointments can be scheduled online here.

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by Nicole Valinote
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
Schools
COVID-19: Hochul Introduces New Incentive Program To Get Kids Vaccinated COVID-19: Hochul Introduces New Incentive Program To Get Kids Vaccinated
Covid-19: Hochul Introduces New Incentive Program To Get Kids Vaccinated New York is coming up with fresh ways to encourage younger residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the state’s “Vaccinate, Educate, Graduate” incentive scholarship that will provide an extra reason for New Yorkers between the ages of 5 and 11 to get vaccinated. The five-week public outreach campaign will run through Sunday, Dec. 19, consisting of a series of statewide drawings to increase awareness of the availability and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines. Each week, parents of children who get their first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will be eligible…

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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