Broader Booster Use? Big Bird Under Attack; Pediatrician Runs for House Seat

Note that some links may require registration or subscription.

Pfizer/BioNTech will likely ask the FDA to expand the use of their COVID-19 booster shot to include all adults ages 18 and up. (Washington Post)

Over 40 countries have pledged to cut emissions from their healthcare sectors, according to World Health Organization (WHO) officials; worldwide, the industry makes up roughly 5% of all greenhouse gas emissions. (New York Times)

Immunocompromised people with poor responses to COVID-19 vaccines are hoping long-acting monoclonal antibody injections could bolster their protection against the virus. (NBC News)

As of Tuesday at 8 a.m. EDT, the unofficial U.S. COVID toll reached 46,614,298 cases and 755,724 deaths, increases of 125,881 cases and 1,293 deaths versus this time Monday.

Millions of Americans with poorly understood conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome are “cautiously hopeful” that research into “long COVID” may offer clues for them as well. (Washington Post)

Big Bird’s public COVID inoculation sparked calls of “government propaganda” from Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and others. (The Hill)

More than 360,000 American kids ages 5-11 have already received at least one shot of a COVID-19 vaccine. (Washington Post)

The COVID death toll discrepancy between “red and blue America” has grown faster over the past month than at any time during the pandemic. (New York Times)

France’s public health authority recommended people under 30 get the Pfizer vaccine instead of the Moderna shot, citing comparatively larger risks — albeit rare — of myocarditis with the latter. (Reuters)

A top WHO official has “grave concern” that the pandemic is hammering Europe again, warning the U.S. to be wary. (CBS News)

Some young patients were left with a pricey hormone-blocking drug implant when a drug company stopped producing its cheaper competitor. (NPR)

Biogen is looking into the death of a 75-year-old patient possibly linked to aducanumab (Aduhelm), its controversial new Alzheimer’s drug. (Endpoints News)

After nearly dying of COVID during a month-long stay at Harborview Medical Center, patient Richard Soliz returned to the Seattle hospital to apologize to staff for having not been vaccinated. (Washington Post)

South Carolina pediatrician Annie Andrews, MD, plans to run against Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) for the state’s First Congressional District seat. (WCBD)

After Aaron Rodgers’ controversial statements on COVID-19 vaccines, State Farm is keeping the NFL quarterback as a pitchman while Wisconsin-based Prevea Health is terminating its relationship with him. (Washington Post, ESPN)