Data Debunks ‘Milder’ Omicron; Toddler Vax Disappoints; NFL Punts COVID Testing

Note that some links may require registration or subscription.

Data from Imperial College London found no evidence that Omicron is less severe than Delta, based on the proportion of people seeking care at a hospital after infection.

Moderna claimed that lab data showed their booster provides significant protection against Omicron. (New York Times)

Interim data on Pfizer’s vaccine for kids ages 2-5 did not produce an immune response comparable to those in ages 16-25. The manufacturer said a third dose of 3 μg will now be studied in this group.

As of Monday at 8 a.m. EST, the unofficial U.S. COVID toll is 50,846,841 cases and 806,438 deaths, increases of 925,419 cases and 9,090 deaths versus a week ago.

President Biden will address the nation on Tuesday night about the Omicron variant. (CNBC)

Despite receiving boosters, Senators Elizabeth Warren (D.-Mass.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.) have all tested positive for COVID. (AP)

In sports, the NBA allowed new rules on replacement players, and the NHL has postponed “cross-border travel” games through December 23. (The Athletic, CBS Sports)

The NFL postponed three games due to COVID outbreaks. The league’s solution? Ending weekly testing of fully vaccinated players. (ABC 7, Wall Street Journal)

Omicron now accounts for 45% of local cases in the Houston area, Houston Methodist Hospital says. (ABC 13)

And Indiana confirmed its first case of the Omicron variant. (WLKY)

Fear of COVID is causing some Americans to rethink their holiday travel plans. (New York Times)

In related news, Southwest Airlines CEO, Gary Kelly, who testified to Congress that “masks don’t add much” COVID protection on airplanes has tested positive for the virus. (New York Times)

Pfizer’s COVID pill, Paxlovid, has yet to be authorized by the FDA, and demand is already outstripping supply. (The Hill)

The Daily Show host, Trevor Noah, has sued a New York City hospital and a doctor, claiming “professional negligence.” (Insider.com)

Omicron continued to rage through Europe, with The Netherlands going into lockdown, France, Cyprus and Austria tightening travel restrictions and Denmark closing many indoor spaces. (CNBC)

New Zealand said the death of a 26 year-old man was related to the Pfizer vaccine. (Reuters)

Moderna is ceasing its battle with the federal government over the patent to their mRNA COVID vaccine. (Washington Post)

Up to 15 million people could lose Medicaid eligibility when the Families First Coronavirus Response Act expires next month. (MSN.com)

FDA expanded the indication of Oxbryta (voxelotor) tablets to children ages 4-12 with sickle cell disease.

Alan Brown Scott, the physician credited with developing Botox for medical uses in ophthalmology and neurology, died at age 89. (NPR)

To combat a staff shortage, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) will triple the pay of its travel nurses. (WESA.com)

COVID (Taylor’s Version): A Taylor Swift album party in Australia was linked to almost 100 COVID cases. (NBC News)