COVID vaccinations were linked to a reduction of roughly 265,000 COVID-19 infections, 107,000 hospitalizations and 39,000 deaths among Medicare beneficiaries between January and May this year, according to a new report from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Why it matters: The findings reflect the "devastating effect COVID-19 has had on our vulnerable seniors and demonstrates that efforts to prioritize and vaccinate this group directly correlate to saving lives," the agency said.
The Treasury Department informed Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) Tuesday that he cannot use federal COVID-19 funding on education grants directed at discouraging mask mandate in schools, AP reports.
Why it matters: In a letter to Ducey, the department said Arizona was misusing the funds by utilizing them to undermine compliance with public health measures aimed at stopping the spread of the virus, per the New York Times.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Tuesday that foreign tourists won't be allowed to visit the country until at least 2022, AP reports.
Why it matters: Morrison announced last week that the government plans to lift its 18-month COVID-19 travel ban for fully vaccinated citizens and permanent residents in November. It was unclear, however, when tourists would be allowed to visit the country.
National Institutes of Health director Francis Collins on Tuesday announced he will step down from his post by the end of the year.
Why it matters: The 71-year-old pioneering physician-geneticist is the only presidentially appointed NIH director to serve in more than one administration. Collins has served in the role for 12 years, longer than anyone else, and has been at the forefront of the U.S. COVID-19 pandemic response.
Johnson & Johnson said Tuesday it asked the Food and Drug Administration to approve a booster shot of its one-dose COVID-19 vaccine for people 18 years and older.
Why it matters: The company last month released data from a global study on the efficacy of a booster shot for its vaccine, which showed that the protection offered by its coronavirus vaccine was strengthened by a second dose.
COVID-19 forced lasting changes in how teachers teach, according to a poll by Khan Academy, which found that more than three-quarters of teachers plan to update the way they work in the classroom.
Details: More than two-thirds of the 1,000 teachers surveyed by YouGov for Khan Academy — a nonprofit that offers online education — said they intend to blend new tools picked up during the pandemic with their previous teaching practices.
The antiviral pill that showed promising results against severe COVID-19 was originally developed at Emory University with $35 million of taxpayer grants.
Why it matters: The federal government consequently owns rights to some of the molnupiravir's patents, which could factor into future purchasing agreements with Merck, which sells the drug.
A Texas doctor accused of inappropriately touching 17 female patients had then been told by a medical board to only treat men before being reported for assault by a male patient, an investigation by the Texas Observer found.
Why it matters: Medical boards that oversee doctors across the U.S. have used this loophole of curbing the types of patients predatory doctors are allowed to see rather than revoking their licenses, experts in the report said.
The Biden administration on Monday revoked a Trump-era rule that bars clinics that receive federal family planning funding from referring patients for abortions.
Why it matters: The new rule, which will go into effect on Nov. 8, comes as the fight for abortion access ramps up in states and nationally.
The European Union's drug watchdog on Monday endorsed a booster shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for people 18 and older.
Driving the news: The European Medicines Agency said booster doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine "may be considered at least 6 months after the second dose for people aged 18 years and older," per a press release from the agency.
Even as more employers across the nation are listing COVID-19 vaccinations as an application requirement, Texas job postings are relatively mum, an Axios analysis of Indeed data has found.
Zoom in: The latest Indeed data shows that, on average, less than 1% — 0.7% to be precise — of Texas job postings sought only vaccinated employees over the week ending on Sept. 24.
Coronavirus vaccine mandates imposed by employers seem to be working so far, suggesting that most vaccine holdouts would rather get the shot than lose their job.
Why it matters: Every vaccine helps in our fight against the coronavirus, although the U.S. still has a long way to go. And high vaccine uptake is by far the preferred outcome for employers, as many — particularly in the health care sector — don't have the staffing to sustain mass layoffs.
Japan's Parliament elected Fumio Kishida as the country's new prime minister on Monday.
Why it matters: The former foreign minister faces immediate challenges, including reviving the world's third-largest economy and working with the U.S. and other key allies to address security threats, per the Wall Street Journal.
