COVID-19 likely in US by Christmas 2019, new blood samples suggest

Thousands of new blood samples suggest COVID-19 popped up in the U.S. in December 2019 — weeks before cases were first recognized by health officials.

Study: Delta variant can reduce Pfizer, Astrazeneca COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness

Recently released studies out of the U.K. found Pfizer’s and Astrazeneca’s COVID-19 vaccines effectiveness was diminished somewhat by the Delta variant, but both vaccines remained protective against hospitalization.

Volusia County Schools vote to make face coverings optional effective immediately

The Volusia County School Board on Monday voted to make face-coverings optional and voluntary at schools and other Volusia County Schools facilities, effective immediately.

Kamala Harris visits South Carolina in US COVID-19 vaccine push

Vice President Kamala Harris landed in Greenville as part of the Biden administration’s effort to promote its ongoing coronavirus vaccination campaign.

As COVID-19 cases wane, vaccine-lagging areas still see risk

New COVID-19 cases are declining across most of the country, even in some states with vaccine-hesitant populations. But almost all states bucking that trend have lower-than-average vaccination rates, and experts warn that relief from the pandemic could be fleeting in regions where few people get inoculated.

Cuomo: NY's 7-day COVID positivity rate lowest in U.S.

New York's 7-day positivity rate has been on the decline for over two months straight, while its vaccination rate now stands at 69.5%.

TSA scans 2 million passengers for first time since March 2020

Air travel continued its path towards pre-pandemic norms Friday when the TSA scanned 2 million passengers for the first time since March 2020.

China weighs COVID-19 shots for kids to fulfill vaccination goals

Regulators took the first step last week by approving the use of the country’s Sinovac vaccine for children aged 3 to 17, and on Friday announced the same for the Sinopharm vaccine. No date has been set for the shots to start.

U.S. vaccine surplus grows by the day; expiration dates loom

The U.S. is confronted with an ever-growing surplus of COVID-19 vaccines, looming expiration dates and stubbornly lagging demand at a time when the developing world is clamoring for doses to stem a rise in infections.

FDA OKs just 10M J&J vaccine doses from troubled Baltimore plant

Two batches of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID vaccine manufactured at the troubled Baltimore plant have been authorized for use by the FDA. But many more must be thrown out.

CDC: Heart inflammation in young males higher than expected after COVID-19 vaccine

The CDC said reports of heart inflammation after the second dose of Pfizer or Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine in male teens and young adults are higher than expected.

FDA advisor says it’s ‘silly’ not to vaccinate children for COVID-19

Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and advisor to the FDA said it’s “silly” not to vaccinate children against COVID-19 during a vaccine advisory committee.

2020 teen summer employment was lowest since Great Recession

The number of teens who were able to get jobs during the summer of 2020 saw its lowest level since the Great Recession in 2008.

2 test positive for COVID-19 on 1st fully vaccinated Celebrity cruise

Two people on a fully vaccinated Celebrity Millennium cruise are isolating aboard the ship after testing positive for COVID-19.

Studies suggest serious COVID-19 infection can lead to diabetes

Two recent studies suggest the virus that causes COVID-19 can target and damage the body’s cells that produce insulin, a vital hormone that regulates blood sugar in the body.

Some guy in California named Tony is $50K richer because he got vaccinated

“It’s been a rough year, a year and a half, for me and everyone else out there,” Tony said of winning California's vaccine lottery. “So it’s nice to have this extra money come in.”

COVID-19 vaccines: Biden asks world leaders to join US in donating doses

President Joe Biden is calling on global leaders to follow his lead in sharing coronavirus vaccines with struggling nations around the world.

Moderna asks FDA to expand COVID-19 vaccine authorization to ages 12 to 17

Moderna said it has asked the FDA to expand the emergency use authorization of its COVID-19 vaccine to those aged 12 to 17, citing data from its ongoing trial.