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COVID-19

US has enough COVID-19 vaccines for boosters, kids’ shots

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — With more than 40 million doses of coronavirus vaccines available, U.S. health authorities said they’re confident there will be enough for both qualified older Americans seeking booster shots and the young children for whom initial vaccines are expected to be approved in the not-too-distant future. The spike in demand — expected following last week’s federal recommendation on booster shots — would be the first significant jump in months. More than 70 million Americans remain unvaccinated despite the enticement of lottery prizes, free food or gifts and ...

UK counts on vaccines, ‘common sense’ to keep virus at bay

LONDON (AP) — Britons are encouraged these days — though in most cases not required — to wear face coverings in crowded indoor spaces. But Prime Minister Boris Johnson regularly appears in the packed, poorly ventilated House of Commons cheek-by-jowl with other maskless Conservative lawmakers. For critics, that image encapsulates the flaw in the government’s strategy, which has abandoned most pandemic restrictions and is banking on voluntary restraint and a high vaccination rate to curb the spread of the coronavirus. As winter approaches, bringing the threat of a new COVID-19 ...

Booster doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine available at Geisinger

Following recent guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Geisinger is offering booster doses of the Pfizer (Comirnaty) COVID-19 vaccine for people who are eligible. Those eligible for a booster include people who have received their two doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, and: — Are age 65 and older. — Are a long-term care resident. — Are age 18 to 64 with an underlying medical condition that puts them at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19. — Are age 18 to 64 and have a job that puts ...

COVID-19 toll in WVa eclipses worst US coal mine disaster

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Gov. Jim Justice compared the skyrocketing number of coronavirus deaths in West Virginia to some of the state’s worst coal mining disasters, asking why the daily tolls don’t motivate more people to get their COVID-19 shots. This month’s virus deaths have surpassed the total from the worst coal mining disaster in U.S. history and is on pace to eclipse the previous four months of the pandemic combined. The 25 deaths reported Thursday pushed the September total to at least 408 with a week still left, according to state health data. From May through ...

NY hospitals, schools fear staff shortage from vaccine rules

NEW YORK (AP) — Some of the nation’s most aggressive COVID-19 vaccine mandates are scheduled to take effect Monday in New York amid continued resistance from some to the shots, leaving hospitals and nursing homes across the state and schools in New York City bracing for possible staff shortages. Many health care workers, including support staff such as cleaners, have still not yet received a required first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine days before a Sept. 27 deadline. That’s the same deadline for teachers and school workers in New York City to prove they’ve received at least one ...

BASD keeps COVID numbers manageable

BELLEFONTE — With masking mandatory in school districts throughout the state, the goal for most schools is to keep their doors open for the 2021-22 school year and continue with face-to-face instruction. During Tuesday night’s Bellefonte school board meeting, superintendent Tammie Burnaford indicated that the mask mandate appears to be working. Burnaford said that compared to other districts in Centre County, BASD has “far less quarantine” than other districts. Bellefonte, she said, has been able to keep its COVID-19 case count in the single digits. “Many of our cases are ...