In a large-scale study, Novavax said its vaccine was completely effective against the original coronavirus strain and also effective against some variants. It works differently than other vaccines.
President Biden pledged the U.S. will donate 500 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine globally. "Our values call on us to do everything that we can to vaccinate the world against COVID-19," he said.
In Washington, adults can now walk away from their COVID-19 vaccine appointment with a free, pre-rolled joint. Other states are also offering incentives to try to convince people to get the shot.
The new names won't replace the scientific names already assigned to new variants, but the WHO said it's making the change to help avoid fueling stigma toward nations where new variants arise.
Pathogens can blossom from an outbreak into a pandemic because they "exploit our interconnectedness and expose our inequities and divisions," the World Health Organization's leader says.
Vietnam's health ministry announced the discovery of the new variant on Saturday that has characteristics of two other strains. The country is currently dealing with a recent spike in infections.
Even though polls show the great majority of Japanese want to cancel the Tokyo Summer Olympics because of the risk of COVID-19 infections, Japan's prime minister insists the games will go on.
Companies and local governments — in what is perhaps a mix of commercial interest and civic-minded altruism — are offering prizes to encourage vaccination. United Airlines is the latest to do so.
The largest U.S. school district will reopen this fall with no option for virtual classes. Chancellor Meisha Porter says 70,000 employees have already been vaccinated, "and we need our children back."
Some of the largest dating apps are allowing users filter potential matches by their vaccination status, while offering vaccinated users access to premium features like "boosts" and "super likes."
The National Restaurant Association is recommending to its members that employees continue to wear masks until the government clarifies how the guidance applies to a requirement to keep workers safe.
"If I had grandchildren, I would certainly recommend they get vaccinated," President Biden's chief medical adviser said. COVID-19 vaccines for younger children are being tested in clinical trials now.
The FDA has authorized storing the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at refrigerator temperatures for up to a month. Previously the vaccine could only be kept in a regular fridge for up to 5 days.
The new policy is expected to allow EU members to admit travelers from the U.S. and other countries where people have received vaccines that are authorized in the EU.
Tokyo-area hospitals "have their hands full," the Tokyo Medical Practitioners Association says in an open letter to Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga. The group represents some 6,000 primary care doctors.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says vaccinated people still must follow existing state, local or tribal laws on masks and social distancing.
Children's immunizations dropped dramatically during the pandemic, and health officials are eager to get kids caught back up on their routine shots before they return to school.
