Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) announced Monday that he has received his COVID-19 vaccine booster shot, calling it an "easy decision."
What he's saying: "Mountains of evidence tell us these shots are safe and effective. I continue to encourage all Americans to speak with their doctors and get vaccinated," McConnell tweeted.
A federal appeals panel ruled Monday that New York City's vaccine mandate for adults working in public schools can proceed, reversing a temporary injunction that was issued Friday.
Why it matters: The ruling could clear an avenue for a broader mandate for all city employees, the New York Times notes.
Cuba has started commercial exports of its coronavirus vaccine, Abdala, with shipments arriving in Vietnam and Venezuela Sunday, AP reports.
Why it matters: The move comes weeks after Cuba said it sought approval from the World Health Organization for its three home-grown vaccines, according to Reuters. Cuba is the only country in the Caribbean to have developed a vaccine.
Massachusetts has seen "dozens" of state troopers submit resignations following a vaccine mandate for state employees, State Police Association President Michael Cherven wrote in a statement Monday.
The big picture: Of those who resigned, some plan to return to work in other departments that offer "reasonable alternatives" such as mask-wearing requirements and regular testing, Cherven wrote. The union represents some 1,800 officers.
President Biden received a Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine booster shot on live television on Monday, while also urging Americans to get vaccinated.
Driving the news: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week recommended Pfizer booster shots for millions of people, including those 65 years and older and individuals at high-risk of severe COVID-19.
Health care workers in New York state will be required to have at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine starting Monday.
Driving the news: Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) on Saturday released a "comprehensive plan" to address any potential health staff shortages, which includes the possibility of declaring a state of emergency to increase workforce supply and allow health professionals in other states, as well as recent graduates and retired health professionals, to practice in New York.
A rush of patients — and their questions — followed last week's news that the CDC and FDA would greenlight Pfizer-BioNTech COVID boosters, the Washington Post reported.
Driving the news: The recommendation that those older than 65, the immunocompromised and those in high-risk jobs includes a lot of people — but it left out most who received the Moderna shot and all who received Johnson & Johnson.
Democrats are at a pivotal moment in their quest to expand health care coverage, slash the cost of prescription drugs and create a social structure that prioritizes people's health.
Driving the news: Democrats have a clear list of health care priorities they'll be fighting for this week. Among them is a measure to expand Medicare to cover dental, vision and hearing benefits.
Pfizer plans to submit data about its COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11 to the Food and Drug Administration "pretty soon," CEO Albert Bourla told ABC's "This Week" on Sunday.
Why it matters: The start of the school year saw a rise in COVID-19 infections among kids, and heightened the focus on when the vaccine will be available for children.
The U.S. COVID-19 vaccine supply is large enough to meet the rise in demand prompted by the approval of booster shots and the imminent authorization of vaccines for younger children, AP reported.
Driving the news: Last week, the Food and Drug Administration approved Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus booster shots for people over 65 or at risk of developing severe COVID-19.
Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) announced Saturday she would declare a state of emergency if there were health worker shortages due to New York's upcoming COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
Why it matters: Hochul moved to reassure concerns of staffing shortages in the health care sector in a statement that also outlined plans to call in medically trained National Guard members, workers from outside New York and retirees if necessary when the mandate takes effect Monday.
