Dr. Anthony S. Fauci said the administration was optimistic that “we’re not going to see a repeat of what we saw last year,” when the Omicron variant swept through the country. By Sharon LaFraniere and Benjamin Mueller Federal health officials expressed optimism on...
Moderna Says New Covid Booster Strengthens Immune Response Against Subvariants
A study suggested that the updated booster shot produced higher levels of neutralizing antibodies against the Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 than the first booster, the company said. By Sharon LaFraniere A new study by Moderna suggests that its updated coronavirus...
New Booster Shot Targets Covid Variants More Effectively, Pfizer Says
Federal officials are hoping that encouraging new findings will spur more Americans to get an updated booster before a feared surge in coronavirus cases this winter. By Sharon LaFraniere A new study by Pfizer and BioNTech suggests that their updated coronavirus...
Walensky, Citing Botched Pandemic Response, Calls for C.D.C. Reorganization
Among other flaws, public guidance during the coronavirus pandemic was “confusing and overwhelming,” the agency said. By Sharon LaFraniere and Noah Weiland Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, on Wednesday delivered...
Biden’s health officials warn of a substantial increase in coronavirus cases.
By Sharon LaFraniere, Michael D. Shear and Sheryl Gay Stolberg Federal health officials warned on Wednesday that a third of Americans live in areas where the threat of Covid-19 is now so high that they should consider wearing a mask in indoor public...
For C.D.C.’s Walensky, a Steep Learning Curve on Messaging
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has stumbled in explaining her policy decisions. By Sharon LaFraniere, Sheryl Gay Stolberg and Noah Weiland Two days before Christmas, with the Omicron variant driving a...
Pfizer Says Its Booster Offers Strong Protection Against Omicron
The company’s finding is based on only a small study of blood samples in a laboratory, but others are sure to follow. By Sharon LaFraniere Pfizer and BioNTech said Wednesday that laboratory tests suggest a booster shot of their coronavirus vaccine offers...
U.S. Booster Policy Is in Flux as Studies Add to Dissent
A week before President Biden’s plan is to roll out, scientists are at odds about whether extra coronavirus shots are needed and for whom. By Sharon LaFraniere and Noah Weiland Almost a month ago, President Biden announced a plan to make coronavirus booster...
Health Officials Advise White House to Scale Back Booster Plan for Now
Federal regulators warned on Thursday they may not have enough data to recommend boosters for anyone except certain recipients of the Pfizer vaccine by late September. By Sharon LaFraniere and Noah Weiland Top federal health officials have told the White House to...
U.S. to Advise Boosters for Most Americans 8 Months After Vaccination
Nursing home residents and health care workers will most likely be the first to get booster shots, as soon as September, followed by other older people who were vaccinated last winter. By Sharon LaFraniere The Biden administration has decided that most Americans...
In Undervaccinated Arkansas, Covid Upends Life All Over Again
by Sharon LaFraniere While much of the nation tiptoes toward normalcy, the coronavirus is again swamping hospitals in places like Mountain Home, in a rural county where fewer than one-third of residents are vaccinated When the boat factory in this leafy Ozark...