Significant rise in nationwide covid cases due to more contagious omicron sub-variant in the United States has triggered a US federal judge to announce on Monday that the court is now scrapping the mask mandate for public transport that was imposed earlier by the Biden administration.

US judge strikes down CDC mask mandate amid Covid-19 surge

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) increased in the United States in 2020.

The CDC said STD cases fell during the early months of the Covid pandemic in 2020 but rose again at the end of the year. Congenital syphilis, syphilis and gonorrhea cases rose as compared to 2019 levels, it added.

CDC data showed&nbsp;gonorrhea-related cases rose by 10% overall in 2020, with syphilis rates increasing by 7%. The report said chlamydia declined "likely due to decreased STD screening and under-diagnosis during the pandemic".

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The US health agency informed that syphilis rates in newborns soared 235 per cent in four years with cases among newborns rising 15 per cent in 2020 as compared to the previous year with early data indicating that "primary and secondary syphilis and congenital syphilis cases continued to increase in 2021 as well."

CDC stated that Chlamydia cases accounted for the largest proportion of STDs in the United States.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;CDC revises COVID-19 guidelines amid Omicron

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Jonathan Mermin, director of CDC’s National Center for HIV, said: "The COVID-19 pandemic put enormous pressure on an already strained public health infrastructure."&nbsp;

"There were moments in 2020 when it felt like the world was standing still, but STDs weren't. The unrelenting momentum of the STD epidemic continued even as STD prevention services were disrupted," Dr Mermin added.

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CDC listed the factors for the decline in STD cases in the initial months of 2020 attributing it largely to reduced frequency of in-person healthcare services, diversion of health officials due to COVID-19, STD test and laboratory supply shortages and lapses in health insurance due to unemployment.

The report said STD cases among gay and bisexual men including the youth continued to rise.

Leandro Mena, director of CDC's STD prevention division, said: "COVID-19 pandemic increased awareness of a reality we’ve long known about STDs."

"Social and economic factors such as poverty and health insurance status create barriers, increase health risks, and often result in worse health outcomes," the CDC official said.

(With inputs from Agencies)

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) increased in the United States in 2020. The CDC said STD cases fell during the early months of the Covid pandemic in 2020 but rose again at the end of the year.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) increased in the United States in 2020. The CDC said STD cases fell during the early months of the Covid pandemic in 2020 but rose again at the end of the year. Congenital syphilis, syphilis and gonorrhea cases rose as compared to 2019 levels, it added. CDC data showed gonorrhea-related cases rose by 10% overall in 2020, with syphilis rates increasing by 7%. The report said chlamydia declined "likely due to decreased STD screening and under-diagnosis during the pandemic". Also Read: Study discovers 42 new genes linked to increased risk of Alzheimer’s The US health agency informed that syphilis rates in newborns soared 235 per cent in four years with cases among newborns rising 15 per cent in 2020 as compared to the previous year with early data indicating that "primary and secondary syphilis and congenital syphilis cases continued to increase in 2021 as well." CDC stated that Chlamydia cases accounted for the largest proportion of STDs in the United States. Watch: CDC revises COVID-19 guidelines amid Omicron Jonathan Mermin, director of CDC’s National Center for HIV, said: "The COVID-19 pandemic put enormous pressure on an already strained public health infrastructure." "There were moments in 2020 when it felt like the world was standing still, but STDs weren't. The unrelenting momentum of the STD epidemic continued even as STD prevention services were disrupted," Dr Mermin added. Also Read: Avocados may lower risk of cardiovascular disease, study finds CDC listed the factors for the decline in STD cases in the initial months of 2020 attributing it largely to reduced frequency of in-person healthcare services, diversion of health officials due to COVID-19, STD test and laboratory supply shortages and lapses in health insurance due to unemployment. The report said STD cases among gay and bisexual men including the youth continued to rise. Leandro Mena, director of CDC's STD prevention division, said: "COVID-19 pandemic increased awareness of a reality we’ve long known about STDs." "Social and economic factors such as poverty and health insurance status create barriers, increase health risks, and often result in worse health outcomes," the CDC official said. (With inputs from Agencies)

Cases of syphilis, other STDs rose in US during Covid pandemic: CDC report

The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Monday eased its COVID-19 travel advisory for India. The CDC changed risk level from Level 3 (high risk) to Level 1 ( low risk). A statement has been&nbsp;released to this effect.

"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 1 Travel Health Notice due to COVID-19, indicating a low level of COVID-19 in the country. Your risk of contracting COVID-19 and developing severe symptoms may be lower if you are fully vaccinated with an FDA authorized vaccine," the US department of state said in a statement.

"Before planning any international travel, please review the CDC`s specific recommendations for vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers," the statement added.

While giving key information for travellers to India, the CDC said, "Make sure you are vaccinated and up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines before travelling to India. Even if you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines, you may still be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19. Anyone 2 years or older should properly wear a well-fitting mask in indoor public spaces. Follow all requirements and recommendations in India."

CDC uses Travel Health Notices (THNs) to alert travellers and other audiences to health threats around the world and advise on how to protect themselves.

The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Monday eased its COVID-19 travel advisory for India. The CDC changed risk level from Level 3 (high risk) to Level 1 ( low risk).

The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Monday eased its COVID-19 travel advisory for India. The CDC changed risk level from Level 3 (high risk) to Level 1 ( low risk). A statement has been released to this effect. "The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 1 Travel Health Notice due to COVID-19, indicating a low level of COVID-19 in the country. Your risk of contracting COVID-19 and developing severe symptoms may be lower if you are fully vaccinated with an FDA authorized vaccine," the US department of state said in a statement. "Before planning any international travel, please review the CDC`s specific recommendations for vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers," the statement added. While giving key information for travellers to India, the CDC said, "Make sure you are vaccinated and up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines before travelling to India. Even if you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines, you may still be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19. Anyone 2 years or older should properly wear a well-fitting mask in indoor public spaces. Follow all requirements and recommendations in India." CDC uses Travel Health Notices (THNs) to alert travellers and other audiences to health threats around the world and advise on how to protect themselves.

COVID-19: US CDC eases travel advisory for India

This season’s flu vaccine has offered little to no protection against getting a mild or moderate case of influenza, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said this week.

In a study of more than 3,600 Americans in seven states, the CDC said in a report that the vaccine was only around 16% effective, a rate that it said was “not statistically significant.”

“It’s not ineffective, but it’s clearly suboptimal in its efficacy,” Dr Jesse L. Goodman, a former chief scientist at the Food and Drug Administration, said Thursday. He reviewed the report but was not associated with it.

Still, despite the vaccine’s lacklustre performance this season, which started in October and lasts through May, the CDC suggested that people get inoculated, saying that it could “prevent serious outcomes.”

Scientists had warned in 2020 that the flu season if it was severe, could converge with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> to create a dreaded “twindemic.” But coronavirus restrictions — including working from home and the use of masks — along with a high flu vaccine rate may have helped reduce caseloads the past few seasons, during which, the CDC said, cases have been at a record low.

Still, even a mild flu season can be devastating. The CDC estimated that during the 2019-20 flu season, around 22,000 people in the country had died and 400,000 had been hospitalised.

This season, the agency said, “influenza activity” declined in December and January, during the worst of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/omicron">omicron</a> surge, but increased in early February.

In October and November 2021, the agency investigated a flu outbreak at the University of Michigan, where there were 745 cases, mostly involving students who had not been vaccinated against the flu. Investigators there also found that the vaccine did not offer much protection.

Goodman said that this season’s results showed how much flu vaccines could be improved.

“The next pandemic could be an influenza pandemic,” Goodman said, “so we need better vaccines.”

Every year, scientists decide whether they need to update the flu vaccine to protect against the strains that they predict will dominate the upcoming season.

The low efficacy rate this season, Goodman said, “suggests that there was a mismatch between the strains of virus in the vaccine and what’s circulating.”

Scientists updated this season’s vaccines to offer protection against four flu viruses, including H3N2, which ended up being this season’s dominant strain, the report said. H3N2 was also dominant during the 2017-18 flu season, which experts had said was “moderately severe.”

Since the agency began calculating the vaccine’s effectiveness in 2004, the efficacy rate has been as high as 60% — for the 2010-11 season — and as low as 10%, during the first season the CDC tracked it. Goodman said he would consider a rate between 50% and 80% to be good.

The flu is a life-threatening respiratory illness that can fill up hospital beds. It shares symptoms with COVID-19, including fever, coughing, a sore throat and fatigue. Adults 65 and older, pregnant people, immunocompromised people and children younger than 5 are most at risk of the flu.

This season’s flu vaccine has offered little to no protection against getting a mild or moderate case of influenza, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said this week.

This season’s flu vaccine has offered little to no protection against getting a mild or moderate case of influenza, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said this week. In a study of more than 3,600 Americans in seven states, the CDC said in a report that the vaccine was only around 16% effective, a rate that it said was “not statistically significant.” “It’s not ineffective, but it’s clearly suboptimal in its efficacy,” Dr Jesse L. Goodman, a former chief scientist at the Food and Drug Administration, said Thursday. He reviewed the report but was not associated with it. Still, despite the vaccine’s lacklustre performance this season, which started in October and lasts through May, the CDC suggested that people get inoculated, saying that it could “prevent serious outcomes.” Scientists had warned in 2020 that the flu season if it was severe, could converge with COVID-19 to create a dreaded “twindemic.” But coronavirus restrictions — including working from home and the use of masks — along with a high flu vaccine rate may have helped reduce caseloads the past few seasons, during which, the CDC said, cases have been at a record low. Still, even a mild flu season can be devastating. The CDC estimated that during the 2019-20 flu season, around 22,000 people in the country had died and 400,000 had been hospitalised. This season, the agency said, “influenza activity” declined in December and January, during the worst of the omicron surge, but increased in early February. In October and November 2021, the agency investigated a flu outbreak at the University of Michigan, where there were 745 cases, mostly involving students who had not been vaccinated against the flu. Investigators there also found that the vaccine did not offer much protection. Goodman said that this season’s results showed how much flu vaccines could be improved. “The next pandemic could be an influenza pandemic,” Goodman said, “so we need better vaccines.” Every year, scientists decide whether they need to update the flu vaccine to protect against the strains that they predict will dominate the upcoming season. The low efficacy rate this season, Goodman said, “suggests that there was a mismatch between the strains of virus in the vaccine and what’s circulating.” Scientists updated this season’s vaccines to offer protection against four flu viruses, including H3N2, which ended up being this season’s dominant strain, the report said. H3N2 was also dominant during the 2017-18 flu season, which experts had said was “moderately severe.” Since the agency began calculating the vaccine’s effectiveness in 2004, the efficacy rate has been as high as 60% — for the 2010-11 season — and as low as 10%, during the first season the CDC tracked it. Goodman said he would consider a rate between 50% and 80% to be good. The flu is a life-threatening respiratory illness that can fill up hospital beds. It shares symptoms with COVID-19, including fever, coughing, a sore throat and fatigue. Adults 65 and older, pregnant people, immunocompromised people and children younger than 5 are most at risk of the flu.

Flu vaccine was not very effective this season, CDC says

The US&nbsp;Centres for Disease Control Prevention (CDC) on Thursday said that almost 93 per cent of the population in the US lives in locations where the coronavirus level is so low that people do not need to wear masks indoors.

In an announcement on Friday, CDC eased its guidelines on when Americans should wear masks indoors, saying they can also drop them in counties experiencing low or medium COVID-19 levels.

COVID hospitalizations - a key benchmark for the new masking recommendations - continue to decline, as indicated by the latest figures.

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The CDC, while&nbsp;announcing its revised guidelines said about 70 per cent&nbsp;of US&nbsp;counties and 72 per cent&nbsp;of the US&nbsp;population resides in communities where face coverings are no longer recommended.

The agency on Thursday said 85.4 per cent of counties are now ranked as low to medium risk and about 92.9 per cent of the population lives in those counties.

However, it is&nbsp;still to be determined whether the Biden administration will extend the mask&nbsp;requirements for travelling on airplanes, trains, buses or for transit hubs.

The current transit order expires on March 18 but can be&nbsp;extended. As per the White House the issue is still being evaluated.

The guidelines announced last week shifted its focus from COVID-19 transmission rates to infection rates, local hospitalisation and hospital capacity.

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As per the earlier recommendations, only 5 per cent of the counties fell under the safe zone and could&nbsp;abandon wearing masks indoors, while&nbsp;95 per cent of were&nbsp;considered to be at risk for higher transmission.

Many federal agencies this week have told government employees that they can now stop wearing masks indoors in federal buildings in Washington, D.C. Area or in some low or medium Covid&nbsp;level areas including Pentagon, Transportation Department, Justice Department, State Department and Federal Aviation.

Watch |&nbsp;The five stages of the covid Pandemic, as told by Dr Anthony Fauci

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As per an earlier&nbsp;memo, the White House had directed agencies to revise federal employee masking and testing rules number by Friday.&nbsp;

The guidance said that Federal agencies in counties with low Covid community levels do not need to regularly screen unvaccinated employees for COVID-19. This guidance covers about 3.5 million employees.

(With inputs from agencies)

The US Centres for Disease Control Prevention (CDC) on Thursday said that almost 93 per cent of the population in the US lives in locations where the coronavirus level is so low that people do not need to wear masks indoors.

The US Centres for Disease Control Prevention (CDC) on Thursday said that almost 93 per cent of the population in the US lives in locations where the coronavirus level is so low that people do not need to wear masks indoors. In an announcement on Friday, CDC eased its guidelines on when Americans should wear masks indoors, saying they can also drop them in counties experiencing low or medium COVID-19 levels. COVID hospitalizations - a key benchmark for the new masking recommendations - continue to decline, as indicated by the latest figures. Also read | This is how Covid could reverse all the progress made towards gender equality The CDC, while announcing its revised guidelines said about 70 per cent of US counties and 72 per cent of the US population resides in communities where face coverings are no longer recommended. The agency on Thursday said 85.4 per cent of counties are now ranked as low to medium risk and about 92.9 per cent of the population lives in those counties. However, it is still to be determined whether the Biden administration will extend the mask requirements for travelling on airplanes, trains, buses or for transit hubs. The current transit order expires on March 18 but can be extended. As per the White House the issue is still being evaluated. The guidelines announced last week shifted its focus from COVID-19 transmission rates to infection rates, local hospitalisation and hospital capacity. Also read | COVID-19: Western Australia ends closures as the country fully open to travel As per the earlier recommendations, only 5 per cent of the counties fell under the safe zone and could abandon wearing masks indoors, while 95 per cent of were considered to be at risk for higher transmission. Many federal agencies this week have told government employees that they can now stop wearing masks indoors in federal buildings in Washington, D.C. Area or in some low or medium Covid level areas including Pentagon, Transportation Department, Justice Department, State Department and Federal Aviation. Watch | The five stages of the covid Pandemic, as told by Dr Anthony Fauci As per an earlier memo, the White House had directed agencies to revise federal employee masking and testing rules number by Friday. The guidance said that Federal agencies in counties with low Covid community levels do not need to regularly screen unvaccinated employees for COVID-19. This guidance covers about 3.5 million employees. (With inputs from agencies)

New CDC guidelines say that more than 90% of US population doesn't need masks anymore

The Biden administration will significantly loosen federal mask-wearing guidelines to protect against COVID-19 transmission on Friday, according to two people familiar with the matter, meaning most Americans will no longer be advised to wear masks in indoor public settings.

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday will announce a change to the metrics it uses to determine whether to recommend face coverings, shifting from looking at COVID-19 case counts to a more holistic view of risk from the coronavirus to a community. Under current guidelines, masks are recommended for people residing in communities of substantial or high transmission roughly 95 per cent of U.S. Counties, according to the latest data.

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The new metrics will still consider caseloads, but also take into account hospitalisations and local hospital capacity, which have been markedly improved during the emergence of the omicron variant. That strain is highly transmissible, but indications are that it is less severe than earlier strains, particularly for people who are fully vaccinated and boosted. Under the new guidelines, the vast majority of Americans will no longer live in areas where indoor masking in public is recommended, based on current data.

The new policy comes as the Biden administration moves to shift its focus to preventing serious illness and death from COVID-19, rather than all instances of infection, as part of a strategy adjustment for a new "phase" in the response as the virus becomes endemic.

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The two people familiar with the change spoke on the condition of anonymity to preview the CDC's action before the announcement. 
The change comes as nearly all U.S. States that had put in place indoor mask-wearing mandates for the winter Omicron surge are letting them lapse as cases have precipitously dropped nationwide. Some have eliminated the mandates entirely, while others have kept mask-wearing requirements in place for schools and medical facilities.

It was not immediately clear how the new CDC guidance would affect U.S. Federal mandates requiring face coverings on public transportation.

The CDC's director, Dr Rochelle Walensky, has said a change has been in the works.

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"We must consider hospital capacity as an additional important barometer. Our hospitals need to be able to take care of people with heart attacks and strokes. Our emergency departments can't be so overwhelmed that patients with emergent issues have to wait in line," she said during a White House briefing last week.

However, she declined to give a specific day when the CDC would announce a change. CDC officials on Thursday refused to confirm a release date.

The Biden administration will significantly loosen federal mask-wearing guidelines to protect against COVID-19 transmission on Friday, according to two people familiar with the matter, meaning most Americans will no longer be advised to wear masks in indoor public settings.

The Biden administration will significantly loosen federal mask-wearing guidelines to protect against COVID-19 transmission on Friday, according to two people familiar with the matter, meaning most Americans will no longer be advised to wear masks in indoor public settings. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday will announce a change to the metrics it uses to determine whether to recommend face coverings, shifting from looking at COVID-19 case counts to a more holistic view of risk from the coronavirus to a community. Under current guidelines, masks are recommended for people residing in communities of substantial or high transmission roughly 95 per cent of U.S. Counties, according to the latest data. Also read | As United States watches, Pakistan PM Imran Khan 'excited' to meet Vladimir Putin in Moscow The new metrics will still consider caseloads, but also take into account hospitalisations and local hospital capacity, which have been markedly improved during the emergence of the omicron variant. That strain is highly transmissible, but indications are that it is less severe than earlier strains, particularly for people who are fully vaccinated and boosted. Under the new guidelines, the vast majority of Americans will no longer live in areas where indoor masking in public is recommended, based on current data. The new policy comes as the Biden administration moves to shift its focus to preventing serious illness and death from COVID-19, rather than all instances of infection, as part of a strategy adjustment for a new "phase" in the response as the virus becomes endemic. Also read | Morning brief: Russia hit with more sanctions, US accuses Iran of orchestrating cyberattacks and more The two people familiar with the change spoke on the condition of anonymity to preview the CDC's action before the announcement. The change comes as nearly all U.S. States that had put in place indoor mask-wearing mandates for the winter Omicron surge are letting them lapse as cases have precipitously dropped nationwide. Some have eliminated the mandates entirely, while others have kept mask-wearing requirements in place for schools and medical facilities. It was not immediately clear how the new CDC guidance would affect U.S. Federal mandates requiring face coverings on public transportation. The CDC's director, Dr Rochelle Walensky, has said a change has been in the works. Watch | Russia-Ukraine Conflict: US President Joe Biden targets Russian economy as he imposes sanctions "We must consider hospital capacity as an additional important barometer. Our hospitals need to be able to take care of people with heart attacks and strokes. Our emergency departments can't be so overwhelmed that patients with emergent issues have to wait in line," she said during a White House briefing last week. However, she declined to give a specific day when the CDC would announce a change. CDC officials on Thursday refused to confirm a release date.

CDC to significantly ease pandemic mask guidelines Friday

A new study by the US Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said that the efficacy of third doses of the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines wanes substantially by the fourth month after administration.

CDC examined data on 93,000 hospitalisations and 241,000 emergency department and urgent care visits across 10 states during the Delta and Omicron waves. In the study, about 10 per cent of people were boosted and over 50 per cent of people hospitalised were over 65 years old.&nbsp;

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During Omicron, vaccine effectiveness against hospitalisation was 91 per cent during the first two months after a third dose and remained high, at 78 per cent, four or more months after a third dose.

Study participants were recruited from the companies' late-stage COVID-19 vaccine study, and those who had received the second dose of the company's COVID-19 vaccine at least six months before entering the co-administration study.

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The study reveals that a third dose of mRNA vaccine continues to offer high levels of protection against severe disease, even months after administration, underscoring the importance of staying up to date when eligible after receiving a primary series.

"The finding that protection conferred by mRNA vaccines waned in the months after receipt of a third vaccine dose reinforces the importance of further consideration of additional doses to sustain or improve protection," the authors concluded.

Speaking at a White House Covid briefing, President Joe Biden's top medical advisor Anthony Fauci said it was likely that fourth doses would more likely be needed for subsets of people who mount weaker immune responses, such as the elderly and immunocompromised.

Pfizer Inc Chief Executive Albert Bourla said that an annual COVID-19 vaccine would be preferable to more frequent booster shots in fighting the coronavirus pandemic.

Pfizer/BioNtech's COVID-19 vaccine has shown to be effective against severe disease and death caused by the heavily-mutated Omicron variant but less effective in preventing transmission.

With cases soaring, some countries have expanded COVID-19 vaccine booster programs or shortened the gap between shots as governments scramble to shore up protection.

(With inputs from agencies)

A new study by the US Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said that the efficacy of third doses of the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines wanes substantially by the fourth month after administration.

A new study by the US Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said that the efficacy of third doses of the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines wanes substantially by the fourth month after administration. CDC examined data on 93,000 hospitalisations and 241,000 emergency department and urgent care visits across 10 states during the Delta and Omicron waves. In the study, about 10 per cent of people were boosted and over 50 per cent of people hospitalised were over 65 years old. During Omicron, vaccine effectiveness against hospitalisation was 91 per cent during the first two months after a third dose and remained high, at 78 per cent, four or more months after a third dose. Study participants were recruited from the companies' late-stage COVID-19 vaccine study, and those who had received the second dose of the company's COVID-19 vaccine at least six months before entering the co-administration study. Also read | Future of Covid vaccines: Scientists develop a vaccine that can be inhaled, won't need needles The study reveals that a third dose of mRNA vaccine continues to offer high levels of protection against severe disease, even months after administration, underscoring the importance of staying up to date when eligible after receiving a primary series. "The finding that protection conferred by mRNA vaccines waned in the months after receipt of a third vaccine dose reinforces the importance of further consideration of additional doses to sustain or improve protection," the authors concluded. Speaking at a White House Covid briefing, President Joe Biden's top medical advisor Anthony Fauci said it was likely that fourth doses would more likely be needed for subsets of people who mount weaker immune responses, such as the elderly and immunocompromised. Pfizer Inc Chief Executive Albert Bourla said that an annual COVID-19 vaccine would be preferable to more frequent booster shots in fighting the coronavirus pandemic. Pfizer/BioNtech's COVID-19 vaccine has shown to be effective against severe disease and death caused by the heavily-mutated Omicron variant but less effective in preventing transmission. With cases soaring, some countries have expanded COVID-19 vaccine booster programs or shortened the gap between shots as governments scramble to shore up protection. (With inputs from agencies)

Efficacy of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines wane after third dose: Study

The federal government on Thursday proposed new guidelines for prescribing opioid painkillers that remove its previous recommended ceilings on doses for chronic pain patients and instead encourage doctors to use their best judgment.

But the overall thrust of the recommendations was that doctors should first turn to “nonopioid therapies” for both chronic and acute pain, including prescription medications like gabapentin and over-the-counter ones like ibuprofen, as well as physical therapy, massage and acupuncture.

Though still in draft form, the 12 recommendations, issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are the first comprehensive revisions of the agency’s opioid prescribing guidelines since 2016. They walk a fine line between embracing the need for doctors to prescribe opioids to alleviate some cases of severe pain while guarding against exposing patients to the well-documented perils of opioids.

The 229-page document warns of addiction, depressed breathing, altered mental status and other dangers associated with opioids, but it also notes that the drugs serve an important medical purpose, especially for easing the immediate, acute agony from traumatic injuries such as burns and crushed bones. In those instances when opioids seem the way to go, doctors should start with the lowest effective dose and prescribe immediate-release pills rather than long-acting ones, the recommendations said.

The recommendations are now open on the Federal Register for public comment for 60 days. The agency will review the comments and most likely issue a final version by the end of 2022. Like the 2016 guidelines, they are suggested practices and not mandatory.

“We are welcoming comments from patients who are living with pain every day and from their caregivers and providers,” said Christopher Jones, a co-author of the draft and acting director of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, the arm of the CDC that released the new guidelines.

The guidelines do not apply to patients suffering pain from cancer or sickle cell, or are in end-of-life or palliative care.

The 2016 guidelines generated anger and fear in many chronic pain patients, many of whom rely on doses far higher than the recommended ceiling of 90 morphine milligram equivalents daily. Hundreds of pain medicine specialists protested as well.

Though the dosing ceilings were merely a recommendation, dozens of states codified them. Fearing criminal and civil penalties, many doctors misapplied them as rigid standards, tapering chronic pain patients too abruptly and even tossing some from their practices.

Studies show that the number of opioid prescriptions overall has been dropping since 2012, and the decline escalated after the 2016 guidelines came out.

The new proposed recommendations step back from the notion of one-size dosing fits all and instead builds in “flexibility to recognize that pain care needs to be individualized,” Jones said.

But the recommendations make it abundantly clear that doctors should regularly reassess the benefits and risks of opioids.

“The evidence around the long-term benefits of opioids continues to remain very limited,” Jones said.

In another indication that the CDC sees these new guidelines as a course-correction to the earlier ones, the agency now suggests that when patients test positive for illicit substances, doctors should offer counseling, treatment and, when necessary, careful tapering. Because doctors had interpreted the 2016 dosing limits narrowly, some had worked up one-strike policies and were summarily ejecting such patients.

Jones said that such results should instead be considered one piece of diagnostic information among many. An unduly high level of opioids could indicate the patient still has untreated pain or even a substance use disorder.

“If you instead retain the patient and have those conversations, there’s now an opportunity to improve the patient’s life,” he said.

Drawing from a mountain of research that accumulated in recent years, the proposed guidelines also offer extensive recommendations for the treatment of acute pain — short-term pain that can come with an injury like a broken bone or the aftermath of surgery. They advise against prescribing opioids, except for traumatic injuries, such as burns and auto accidents.

In granular detail, they compare the relief provided by opioids to that offered by alternatives such as exercise and acupuncture and other drugs. And they give fine-tuned recommendations for discrete areas of pain, such as lower back, knees and neck.

The guidelines, for example, note that opioids should not be used for episodic migraines. They endorse, among other treatments, heat therapy and weight loss for knee osteoarthritis, and, for neck pain, suggest options like yoga, tai chi, qiqong, massage and acupuncture.

The recommendations also say that many studies show that, over time, pain alleviation from opioids usually plateaus and then wanes, requiring ever higher doses.

“We never wanted to pretend that opioids aren’t really important tools,” said Dr. Jeanmarie Perrone, a professor of emergency medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, who served on an advisory panel for the prescribing guidelines. “But after you’ve got that cast on, we’re going to wean you off those opioids. One long-bone fracture doesn’t mean six weeks of opioid prescriptions.”

The federal government on Thursday proposed new guidelines for prescribing opioid painkillers that remove its previous recommended ceilings on doses for chronic pain patients and instead encourage doctors to use their best judgment.

The federal government on Thursday proposed new guidelines for prescribing opioid painkillers that remove its previous recommended ceilings on doses for chronic pain patients and instead encourage doctors to use their best judgment. But the overall thrust of the recommendations was that doctors should first turn to “nonopioid therapies” for both chronic and acute pain, including prescription medications like gabapentin and over-the-counter ones like ibuprofen, as well as physical therapy, massage and acupuncture. Though still in draft form, the 12 recommendations, issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are the first comprehensive revisions of the agency’s opioid prescribing guidelines since 2016. They walk a fine line between embracing the need for doctors to prescribe opioids to alleviate some cases of severe pain while guarding against exposing patients to the well-documented perils of opioids. The 229-page document warns of addiction, depressed breathing, altered mental status and other dangers associated with opioids, but it also notes that the drugs serve an important medical purpose, especially for easing the immediate, acute agony from traumatic injuries such as burns and crushed bones. In those instances when opioids seem the way to go, doctors should start with the lowest effective dose and prescribe immediate-release pills rather than long-acting ones, the recommendations said. The recommendations are now open on the Federal Register for public comment for 60 days. The agency will review the comments and most likely issue a final version by the end of 2022. Like the 2016 guidelines, they are suggested practices and not mandatory. “We are welcoming comments from patients who are living with pain every day and from their caregivers and providers,” said Christopher Jones, a co-author of the draft and acting director of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, the arm of the CDC that released the new guidelines. The guidelines do not apply to patients suffering pain from cancer or sickle cell, or are in end-of-life or palliative care. The 2016 guidelines generated anger and fear in many chronic pain patients, many of whom rely on doses far higher than the recommended ceiling of 90 morphine milligram equivalents daily. Hundreds of pain medicine specialists protested as well. Though the dosing ceilings were merely a recommendation, dozens of states codified them. Fearing criminal and civil penalties, many doctors misapplied them as rigid standards, tapering chronic pain patients too abruptly and even tossing some from their practices. Studies show that the number of opioid prescriptions overall has been dropping since 2012, and the decline escalated after the 2016 guidelines came out. The new proposed recommendations step back from the notion of one-size dosing fits all and instead builds in “flexibility to recognize that pain care needs to be individualized,” Jones said. But the recommendations make it abundantly clear that doctors should regularly reassess the benefits and risks of opioids. “The evidence around the long-term benefits of opioids continues to remain very limited,” Jones said. In another indication that the CDC sees these new guidelines as a course-correction to the earlier ones, the agency now suggests that when patients test positive for illicit substances, doctors should offer counseling, treatment and, when necessary, careful tapering. Because doctors had interpreted the 2016 dosing limits narrowly, some had worked up one-strike policies and were summarily ejecting such patients. Jones said that such results should instead be considered one piece of diagnostic information among many. An unduly high level of opioids could indicate the patient still has untreated pain or even a substance use disorder. “If you instead retain the patient and have those conversations, there’s now an opportunity to improve the patient’s life,” he said. Drawing from a mountain of research that accumulated in recent years, the proposed guidelines also offer extensive recommendations for the treatment of acute pain — short-term pain that can come with an injury like a broken bone or the aftermath of surgery. They advise against prescribing opioids, except for traumatic injuries, such as burns and auto accidents. In granular detail, they compare the relief provided by opioids to that offered by alternatives such as exercise and acupuncture and other drugs. And they give fine-tuned recommendations for discrete areas of pain, such as lower back, knees and neck. The guidelines, for example, note that opioids should not be used for episodic migraines. They endorse, among other treatments, heat therapy and weight loss for knee osteoarthritis, and, for neck pain, suggest options like yoga, tai chi, qiqong, massage and acupuncture. The recommendations also say that many studies show that, over time, pain alleviation from opioids usually plateaus and then wanes, requiring ever higher doses. “We never wanted to pretend that opioids aren’t really important tools,” said Dr. Jeanmarie Perrone, a professor of emergency medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, who served on an advisory panel for the prescribing guidelines. “But after you’ve got that cast on, we’re going to wean you off those opioids. One long-bone fracture doesn’t mean six weeks of opioid prescriptions.”

CDC proposes new guidelines for treating pain, including Opioid use

The recent incident of gun violence in the US has raised an alarm over rising crimes in the state. As per CDC, moderates in the US exploded in 2020 at 50 per cent from 2019 which is the largest single year rise in a 100 years.

Crime rate increases in United States over the years

Booster shots of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are not just preventing infections with the contagious omicron variant — they are also keeping infected Americans from ending up in the hospital, according to data published Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The extra doses are 90% effective against hospitalization with the variant, the agency reported. Booster shots also reduced the likelihood of a visit to an emergency department or urgent care clinic. The extra doses were most effective against infection and death among Americans 50 and older, the data showed.

Overall, the new data show that the vaccines were more protective against the delta variant than against omicron, which lab studies have found is partially able to sidestep the body’s immune response.

It is generally accepted that booster shots keep people from becoming infected, at least for a while. Data from Israel and other countries have also suggested that boosters can help prevent severe illness and hospitalization, especially in older adults.

“Data from other countries have also shown significant benefit of getting the booster, but this is really showing it in the U.S.,” Akiko Iwasaki, an immunologist at Yale University, said of the figures released Friday. “These numbers should be very convincing.”

On Thursday night, the CDC published additional data showing that in December, unvaccinated Americans 50 and older were about 45 times more likely to be hospitalized than those who were vaccinated and got a third shot.

Yet less than 40% of fully vaccinated Americans who are eligible for a booster shot have received one.

Friday’s results are based on three new studies led by the CDC. In one study, researchers analyzed hospitalizations and visits to emergency departments and urgent care clinics in 10 states from Aug. 26, 2021 to Jan. 5, 2022.

Vaccine effectiveness against hospitalization with the omicron variant fell to just 57% in people who had received their second dose more than six months earlier, the authors found. A third shot restored that protection to 90%.

It is unclear whether protection from the boosters might also wane as it did after two shots, noted Natalie Dean, a biostatistician at Emory University.

“We just have to recognize that all these estimates of omicron third-dose protection are going to be people who are pretty recently boosted,” she said. “We do wonder the durability of boosters themselves.”

When debating booster shot recommendations for all American adults, scientific advisers to the Food and Drug Administration and the CDC repeatedly bemoaned the lack of booster shot data that was specific to the United States.

There are differences between Israel and the United States — for example, in the way Israel defines severe illness — that made it challenging to interpret the relevance of Israeli data for Americans, they said.

Some members of the Biden administration supported the use of booster doses even before the scientific advisers of the agencies had a chance to review the data from Israel. Federal health officials intensified their boosters-for-all campaign after the arrival of the omicron variant.

The CDC now recommends booster shots for everyone 12 and older, five months after getting two doses of the mRNA vaccines made by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, or two months after a single dose of the Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine.

The usefulness of booster shots in Americans younger than 50 was a topic of vigorous debate in the fall. Several experts argued at the time that third shots were unnecessary for younger adults because two doses of the vaccine were holding up well.

Some of those experts remained unconvinced by the new data.

It was clear even months ago that older adults and those with weakened immune systems would benefit from extra doses of the vaccine, said Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and a member of the FDA’s vaccine advisory committee.

But “where is the evidence that a third dose benefits a healthy young person?” he asked.

“If you’re trying to stop the spread of this virus, vaccinate the unvaccinated,” he said. “We keep trying to further protect the already protected.”

But other experts changed their minds in favor of boosters because of the highly contagious omicron variant. Even if two doses were enough to keep young people out of hospitals, they said, a third dose could limit virus spread by preventing infections.

“They’re both data-driven, legitimate positions,” said John Moore, a virus expert at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York. But at this point, the debate is over: “We are using boosters in everyone and that’s what’s happening.”

Booster shots of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are not just preventing infections with the contagious omicron variant — they are also keeping infected Americans from ending up in the hospital, according to data published Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Booster shots of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are not just preventing infections with the contagious omicron variant — they are also keeping infected Americans from ending up in the hospital, according to data published Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The extra doses are 90% effective against hospitalization with the variant, the agency reported. Booster shots also reduced the likelihood of a visit to an emergency department or urgent care clinic. The extra doses were most effective against infection and death among Americans 50 and older, the data showed. Overall, the new data show that the vaccines were more protective against the delta variant than against omicron, which lab studies have found is partially able to sidestep the body’s immune response. It is generally accepted that booster shots keep people from becoming infected, at least for a while. Data from Israel and other countries have also suggested that boosters can help prevent severe illness and hospitalization, especially in older adults. “Data from other countries have also shown significant benefit of getting the booster, but this is really showing it in the U.S.,” Akiko Iwasaki, an immunologist at Yale University, said of the figures released Friday. “These numbers should be very convincing.” On Thursday night, the CDC published additional data showing that in December, unvaccinated Americans 50 and older were about 45 times more likely to be hospitalized than those who were vaccinated and got a third shot. Yet less than 40% of fully vaccinated Americans who are eligible for a booster shot have received one. Friday’s results are based on three new studies led by the CDC. In one study, researchers analyzed hospitalizations and visits to emergency departments and urgent care clinics in 10 states from Aug. 26, 2021 to Jan. 5, 2022. Vaccine effectiveness against hospitalization with the omicron variant fell to just 57% in people who had received their second dose more than six months earlier, the authors found. A third shot restored that protection to 90%. It is unclear whether protection from the boosters might also wane as it did after two shots, noted Natalie Dean, a biostatistician at Emory University. “We just have to recognize that all these estimates of omicron third-dose protection are going to be people who are pretty recently boosted,” she said. “We do wonder the durability of boosters themselves.” When debating booster shot recommendations for all American adults, scientific advisers to the Food and Drug Administration and the CDC repeatedly bemoaned the lack of booster shot data that was specific to the United States. There are differences between Israel and the United States — for example, in the way Israel defines severe illness — that made it challenging to interpret the relevance of Israeli data for Americans, they said. Some members of the Biden administration supported the use of booster doses even before the scientific advisers of the agencies had a chance to review the data from Israel. Federal health officials intensified their boosters-for-all campaign after the arrival of the omicron variant. The CDC now recommends booster shots for everyone 12 and older, five months after getting two doses of the mRNA vaccines made by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, or two months after a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The usefulness of booster shots in Americans younger than 50 was a topic of vigorous debate in the fall. Several experts argued at the time that third shots were unnecessary for younger adults because two doses of the vaccine were holding up well. Some of those experts remained unconvinced by the new data. It was clear even months ago that older adults and those with weakened immune systems would benefit from extra doses of the vaccine, said Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and a member of the FDA’s vaccine advisory committee. But “where is the evidence that a third dose benefits a healthy young person?” he asked. “If you’re trying to stop the spread of this virus, vaccinate the unvaccinated,” he said. “We keep trying to further protect the already protected.” But other experts changed their minds in favor of boosters because of the highly contagious omicron variant. Even if two doses were enough to keep young people out of hospitals, they said, a third dose could limit virus spread by preventing infections. “They’re both data-driven, legitimate positions,” said John Moore, a virus expert at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York. But at this point, the debate is over: “We are using boosters in everyone and that’s what’s happening.”

Booster shots are instrumental in fighting Omicron, CDC data show

A researcher called Roger Ekirch has said that insomnia is the remnant of biphasic sleep rather than a disorder.

Ekirch is a university distinguished professor in the department of history at Virginia Tech. He has published the details of his findings in his book called "At Day's Close: Night in Times Past."

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-plus-do-you-sleep-for-less-than-75-hours-watch-this-361845/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Widespread beliefs about sleeping include advice on how much sleep is enough, what quality sleep means and how to achieve it, but when these pronouncements are wrong, they can do more harm than good, researchers argue.

About one-third of adults in the US report sleeping less than the recommended seven hours, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/not-sleeping-enough-your-brain-might-be-eating-itself-319676">Also read |&nbsp;Not sleeping enough? Your brain might be eating itself</a>

There are basically two types of sleep, each tied to specific brain waves and neuronal activity. Rapid eye movement REM, with the eyes moving quickly from side to side behind closed eyelids, is deep sleep with vivid dreams. Non-REM sleep is largely dreamless.

During REM sleep, the brain forms new neural connections by building and strengthening synapses - the junctions between nerve cells, or neurons - that enable them to communicate, reinforcing learning and consolidating memories. During sleep, the brain also repairs the modicum of daily neurological damage it typically experiences to genes and proteins within neurons as well as clearing out byproducts that build up.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/getting-more-sleep-isnt-always-beneficial-study-402671">Also read |&nbsp;Getting more sleep isn't always beneficial: Study</a>

With many people anecdotally reporting sleep problems due to the new coronavirus - including difficulty falling asleep, trouble staying asleep and vivid dreams, Ekirch investigated their impact on people’s health and daily rhythms.

''A large number of people who today suffer from middle-of-the-night insomnia, the primary sleep disorder in the United States and I dare say in most industrialised countries,&nbsp;rather than experiencing a quote-unquote, disorder, are in fact, experiencing a very powerful remnant, or echo of this earlier pattern of sleep,'' said Ekirch.

Sleep is known to be critical to physical and mental health,&nbsp;essential for tissue repair, cell regeneration, immune function, memory, and for regulating mood and emotions.

(With inputs from agencies)

A researcher called Roger Ekirch has said that insomnia is the remnant of biphasic sleep rather than a disorder. Ekirch is a university distinguished professor in the department of history at Virginia Tech.

A researcher called Roger Ekirch has said that insomnia is the remnant of biphasic sleep rather than a disorder. Ekirch is a university distinguished professor in the department of history at Virginia Tech. He has published the details of his findings in his book called "At Day's Close: Night in Times Past." Widespread beliefs about sleeping include advice on how much sleep is enough, what quality sleep means and how to achieve it, but when these pronouncements are wrong, they can do more harm than good, researchers argue. About one-third of adults in the US report sleeping less than the recommended seven hours, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Also read | Not sleeping enough? Your brain might be eating itself There are basically two types of sleep, each tied to specific brain waves and neuronal activity. Rapid eye movement REM, with the eyes moving quickly from side to side behind closed eyelids, is deep sleep with vivid dreams. Non-REM sleep is largely dreamless. During REM sleep, the brain forms new neural connections by building and strengthening synapses - the junctions between nerve cells, or neurons - that enable them to communicate, reinforcing learning and consolidating memories. During sleep, the brain also repairs the modicum of daily neurological damage it typically experiences to genes and proteins within neurons as well as clearing out byproducts that build up. Also read | Getting more sleep isn't always beneficial: Study With many people anecdotally reporting sleep problems due to the new coronavirus - including difficulty falling asleep, trouble staying asleep and vivid dreams, Ekirch investigated their impact on people’s health and daily rhythms. ''A large number of people who today suffer from middle-of-the-night insomnia, the primary sleep disorder in the United States and I dare say in most industrialised countries, rather than experiencing a quote-unquote, disorder, are in fact, experiencing a very powerful remnant, or echo of this earlier pattern of sleep,'' said Ekirch. Sleep is known to be critical to physical and mental health, essential for tissue repair, cell regeneration, immune function, memory, and for regulating mood and emotions. (With inputs from agencies)

Researcher says insomnia is remnant of biphasic sleep, not a disorder

Centres for Disease Control and Prevention explained the scientific rationale for shortening their isolation and quarantine guidelines for COVID-19 and said that the guidelines also apply to children.

The Dec 27 guidance reduced isolation restrictions for people with COVID-19 from 10 to five days if they are no longer feeling symptoms or have a fever. In the following five days, they are required to wear masks at all times around others.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-sets-global-record-of-over-1-million-daily-covid-19-cases-after-fauci-warns-of-vertical-increase-442179">US sets global record of over 1 million daily Covid-19 cases after Fauci warns of 'vertical increase'</a>

Despite hints from other federal officials that it was reconsidering its position, the CDC on Tuesday maintained that people who catch COVID-19 are not required to undergo testing before they can emerge from five days of isolation.

Last week, the CDC announced a reduction in isolation time for Americans who caught the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">Coronavirus</a> but did not experience any symptoms or only experienced a brief illness. For isolation to end, a person must have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without using fever-reducing medications and all other symptoms have resolved, according to the CDC.

Previously, CDC officials said the changes were in line with evidence that people with coronaviruses are most infectious two days before and three days after symptoms develop.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/omicron-skin-lips-and-nail-symptoms-that-mean-you-need-urgent-covid-19-treatment-442234">Omicron: Skin, lips, and nail symptoms that mean you need urgent COVID-19 treatment</a>

Experts have questioned how the new recommendations were crafted and why they changed amid the spike in cases linked largely to the highly contagious omicron variant. Many health professionals have criticised the guidelines for failing to specify a negative antigen test as a requirement for leaving isolation.

CDC posted documents on Tuesday designed to answer these questions as well as others. In response to questions raised by school leaders around the country, the CDC said the guidance applies to both school children and adults. 
As part of its justification for the revisions, the agency cited more than 100 studies from 17 countries that found most transmission occurs early in an infection.

CDC officials acknowledged that the data were derived from studies carried out when delta and other pre-omicron variants caused the majority of infections. However, the agency also pointed to limited, early data from the US and South Korea, which suggest that the time between exposure and the onset of symptoms may be shorter for the omicron strain than for the earlier variants.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Will Rich Countries extend the Pandemic?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-will-rich-countries-extend-the-pandemic-442276/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Furthermore, the CDC addressed its decision not to call for a negative test prior to releasing the population from isolation.

The agency says lab tests can yield positive results even after someone has stopped being contagious, and an at-home test result can be misleading. In light of that, the agency recommends wearing masks everywhere after the five-day period of isolation ends.

Moreover, the agency admitted that many people did not follow the previous isolation and quarantine recommendations anyway. It has been found that only 25 to 30 per cent of people isolated for a full 10 days under the old guidelines.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends people exposed to this virus be quarantined for five days unless they have recently received their first dose of vaccine. This is also true if they have recently gotten booster shots. The agency also suggested that anyone exposed "regardless of vaccination status" should get tested five days later.

(With inputs from agencies)

Centres for Disease Control and Prevention explained the scientific rationale for shortening their isolation and quarantine guidelines for COVID-19 and said that the guidelines also apply to children.

Centres for Disease Control and Prevention explained the scientific rationale for shortening their isolation and quarantine guidelines for COVID-19 and said that the guidelines also apply to children. The Dec 27 guidance reduced isolation restrictions for people with COVID-19 from 10 to five days if they are no longer feeling symptoms or have a fever. In the following five days, they are required to wear masks at all times around others. Also read | US sets global record of over 1 million daily Covid-19 cases after Fauci warns of 'vertical increase' Despite hints from other federal officials that it was reconsidering its position, the CDC on Tuesday maintained that people who catch COVID-19 are not required to undergo testing before they can emerge from five days of isolation. Last week, the CDC announced a reduction in isolation time for Americans who caught the Coronavirus but did not experience any symptoms or only experienced a brief illness. For isolation to end, a person must have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without using fever-reducing medications and all other symptoms have resolved, according to the CDC. Previously, CDC officials said the changes were in line with evidence that people with coronaviruses are most infectious two days before and three days after symptoms develop. Also read | Omicron: Skin, lips, and nail symptoms that mean you need urgent COVID-19 treatment Experts have questioned how the new recommendations were crafted and why they changed amid the spike in cases linked largely to the highly contagious omicron variant. Many health professionals have criticised the guidelines for failing to specify a negative antigen test as a requirement for leaving isolation. CDC posted documents on Tuesday designed to answer these questions as well as others. In response to questions raised by school leaders around the country, the CDC said the guidance applies to both school children and adults. As part of its justification for the revisions, the agency cited more than 100 studies from 17 countries that found most transmission occurs early in an infection. CDC officials acknowledged that the data were derived from studies carried out when delta and other pre-omicron variants caused the majority of infections. However, the agency also pointed to limited, early data from the US and South Korea, which suggest that the time between exposure and the onset of symptoms may be shorter for the omicron strain than for the earlier variants. Watch | Gravitas: Will Rich Countries extend the Pandemic? Furthermore, the CDC addressed its decision not to call for a negative test prior to releasing the population from isolation. The agency says lab tests can yield positive results even after someone has stopped being contagious, and an at-home test result can be misleading. In light of that, the agency recommends wearing masks everywhere after the five-day period of isolation ends. Moreover, the agency admitted that many people did not follow the previous isolation and quarantine recommendations anyway. It has been found that only 25 to 30 per cent of people isolated for a full 10 days under the old guidelines. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends people exposed to this virus be quarantined for five days unless they have recently received their first dose of vaccine. This is also true if they have recently gotten booster shots. The agency also suggested that anyone exposed "regardless of vaccination status" should get tested five days later. (With inputs from agencies)

Check out CDC's new COVID guidelines and the scientific rationale behind them

On Thursday, a panel of US government-appointed medical experts unanimously recommended Pfizer's and Moderna's mRNA Covid vaccines over Johnson &amp; Johnson's due to its weaker protection and greater risks.&nbsp;

There was a 15-0 vote in favour of the new guidance, which applies to everyone over the age of 18.

Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), signed off on the measure Thursday evening. "Today's updated recommendation emphasizes CDC's commitment to provide real-time scientific information to the public," she said in a statement, encouraging American citizens to get vaccinated and get coronavirus booster shots.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-drug-regulator-gives-go-ahead-for-pfizer-covid-pills-emergency-use-437518" hreflang="en">EU drug regulator gives go-ahead for Pfizer Covid pill's emergency use</a>

The recommendation steers the public away from J&amp;J's drug, which initially won praise in part because it could be stored at room temperature and performed well against earlier strains of the Coronavirus after just one shot.

However, it was later linked to clotting, especially among women of childbearing age, which led authorities to temporarily suspend its use then resume it in April. Since then, it has remained a distant third choice of vaccination among Americans.

It was discovered this week that this clotting effect is more prevalent than initially thought, and not necessarily restricted to females.

Additionally, preliminary laboratory testing indicates that the jab provides little protection against the new Omicron variant -- at least against infection.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/omicron-uk-reports-over-88000-covid-cases-highest-daily-since-pandemic-began-437395" hreflang="en">Omicron: UK reports over 88,000 Covid cases, highest daily since pandemic began</a>

CDC called the vote after new safety data raised concerns.&nbsp;

According to new data released by the CDC, nine people have died so far because of low platelet counts or Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS), with around 16 million doses of vaccine administered.

As of August 31, there were 54 cases, 36 of which required intensive care. The survivors had long-term effects such as paralysis in some cases.

Women aged 30-49 were at the greatest risk, where TTS occurred at around a rate of one in 100,000.

The risk, however, isn't limited to women, with two of the nine deaths occurring among men. Additionally, the CDC said the death toll may be underestimated.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-vaccines-likely-to-be-less-effective-against-omicron-variant-who-437383" hreflang="en">Covid vaccines likely to be less effective against Omicron variant: WHO</a>

TTS has caused fatalities in about one out of seven cases.&nbsp;

CDC scientist Sara Oliver told a committee of independent experts, they had several choices, including recommending not to use the vaccine altogether.&nbsp;

The panel of experts agreed, however, that the J&amp;J vaccine should remain available for people who, for whatever reasons, may refuse mRNA vaccines, despite their higher efficacy and lower risks.&nbsp;

In its discussion of risks and benefits, the CDC also said that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines carry risks, primarily for younger men who may in very rare cases develop myocarditis or pericarditis -- inflammation of or around the heart.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Lab leak "most likely" source of Covid-19, British MPs told

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No fatalities have been reported from these cases, and the two vaccines offer a much greater level of protection than the J&amp;J shot.

"The Johnson and Johnson Covid-19 vaccine is a life saving tool for individuals in high risk populations," Penny Heaton, global therapeutic area head of vaccines at J&amp;J argued.

The panel agrees with the company that recommending against the J&amp;J shot completely would send an undesirable message to other areas of the world where the jab may be the only option.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

On Thursday, a panel of US government-appointed medical experts unanimously recommended Pfizer's and Moderna's mRNA Covid vaccines over Johnson & Johnson's due to its weaker protection and greater risks.

On Thursday, a panel of US government-appointed medical experts unanimously recommended Pfizer's and Moderna's mRNA Covid vaccines over Johnson & Johnson's due to its weaker protection and greater risks. There was a 15-0 vote in favour of the new guidance, which applies to everyone over the age of 18. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), signed off on the measure Thursday evening. "Today's updated recommendation emphasizes CDC's commitment to provide real-time scientific information to the public," she said in a statement, encouraging American citizens to get vaccinated and get coronavirus booster shots. Also read | EU drug regulator gives go-ahead for Pfizer Covid pill's emergency use The recommendation steers the public away from J&J's drug, which initially won praise in part because it could be stored at room temperature and performed well against earlier strains of the Coronavirus after just one shot. However, it was later linked to clotting, especially among women of childbearing age, which led authorities to temporarily suspend its use then resume it in April. Since then, it has remained a distant third choice of vaccination among Americans. It was discovered this week that this clotting effect is more prevalent than initially thought, and not necessarily restricted to females. Additionally, preliminary laboratory testing indicates that the jab provides little protection against the new Omicron variant -- at least against infection. Also read | Omicron: UK reports over 88,000 Covid cases, highest daily since pandemic began CDC called the vote after new safety data raised concerns. According to new data released by the CDC, nine people have died so far because of low platelet counts or Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS), with around 16 million doses of vaccine administered. As of August 31, there were 54 cases, 36 of which required intensive care. The survivors had long-term effects such as paralysis in some cases. Women aged 30-49 were at the greatest risk, where TTS occurred at around a rate of one in 100,000. The risk, however, isn't limited to women, with two of the nine deaths occurring among men. Additionally, the CDC said the death toll may be underestimated. Also read | Covid vaccines likely to be less effective against Omicron variant: WHO TTS has caused fatalities in about one out of seven cases. CDC scientist Sara Oliver told a committee of independent experts, they had several choices, including recommending not to use the vaccine altogether. The panel of experts agreed, however, that the J&J vaccine should remain available for people who, for whatever reasons, may refuse mRNA vaccines, despite their higher efficacy and lower risks. In its discussion of risks and benefits, the CDC also said that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines carry risks, primarily for younger men who may in very rare cases develop myocarditis or pericarditis -- inflammation of or around the heart. Watch | Gravitas: Lab leak "most likely" source of Covid-19, British MPs told No fatalities have been reported from these cases, and the two vaccines offer a much greater level of protection than the J&J shot. "The Johnson and Johnson Covid-19 vaccine is a life saving tool for individuals in high risk populations," Penny Heaton, global therapeutic area head of vaccines at J&J argued. The panel agrees with the company that recommending against the J&J shot completely would send an undesirable message to other areas of the world where the jab may be the only option. (With inputs from agencies)

Citing risk of clotting, US expert panel votes for the use of Moderna, Pfizer vaccines, over J&J

Expert advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will meet Thursday to discuss what federal health officials see as a concerning increase in the rates of a rare but serious blood-clotting disorder linked to Johnson &amp; Johnson’s coronavirus vaccine.

The Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices will see new data at the meeting that shows elevated risks of the condition in men and women, according to one federal official, setting the stage for the experts to possibly recommend new restrictions on the use of the vaccine.

The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday said that although problems arose in men and women, the highest rate was in about 1 in 100,000 in women ages 30-49.

Among the women who were diagnosed with the syndrome, which can impair clotting and cause internal bleeding, about 1 in 7 died, the FDA said. The federal official who described the planning for Thursday’s meeting said that updated figures showed roughly nine deaths from the disorder.

The panel on Thursday may advise that the vaccine only be given to people who cannot access a different brand or who want it despite the risk, or restrict it to certain groups.

The Washington Post first reported the plans for Thursday’s meeting and the new federal data.

Jake Sargent, a spokesperson for Johnson &amp; Johnson, said the company shares with regulators reports of side effects in people who have received the vaccine and strongly supports “raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of this rare event.”

About 16 million people in the United States have received a single shot of the Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine as their primary immunisation, compared to 73 million fully immunised with Moderna’s vaccine and 113 million with Pfizer’s. Among the people in the United States who have received a booster shot, just 1.5% have gotten the one from Johnson &amp; Johnson.

The side effect, known as thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome, can impair clotting and cause internal bleeding. An increased risk for the condition has been linked to the Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine and the shot from AstraZeneca, which is not authorised in the United States. It has not been linked to the vaccines from Moderna or Pfizer.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-possibly-an-engineered-virus-and-leaked-from-wuhan-lab-harvard-scientist-437263">Also read |&nbsp;COVID-19 possibly an engineered virus and leaked from Wuhan lab: Harvard scientist</a>

On Tuesday, the FDA announced that it added a warning to the vaccine’s fact sheets for patients and providers, saying the shot should not be given to anyone who has had a clotting problem after a first dose. The agency said that it “continues to find” that the benefits of the vaccine outweigh its risks.

As more cases of the clotting disorder were adjudicated by federal health officials in recent months, FDA and CDC officials grew increasingly alarmed by the numbers presented to them by the CDC’s immunisation safety office, which monitors reports in the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, or VAERS, a decades-old system that relies on self-reported cases from patients and health care providers.

The reports of the condition grew worrisome enough in recent weeks that federal officials determined they needed to call an emergency meeting of the CDC advisers.

In April, soon after Johnson &amp; Johnson’s vaccine started being administered in the United States, federal officials briefly recommended halting use of the shot because of concerns about the risk of blood clots. At the time, the condition had emerged in six women, all of whom developed the illness within one to three weeks of vaccination. One of the women had died. By May, 28 cases had been confirmed.

The updated FDA fact sheet for providers says that “currently available evidence supports a causal relationship” between the condition and Johnson &amp; Johnson’s vaccine.

The new data come during a surge in virus cases driven by the delta coronavirus variant and omicron, the version of the virus that has already become dominant in some countries and is spreading fast in the United States.

Several laboratory experiments suggest that a single dose of Johnson &amp; Johnson’s shot may offer little defense against infection with omicron. The company said late last month that it is testing blood samples from clinical trial participants who have received its shot as a booster to see how their vaccine-induced antibodies fare against omicron.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-develops-new-software-to-predict-actions-that-can-trigger-outsized-chinese-reactions-437252">Also read |&nbsp;US develops new software to predict actions that can trigger 'outsized' Chinese reactions</a>

The shot has largely fallen out of favor in the United States, despite early hopes that its one-and-done format would be easy to deploy in more isolated communities and among people skittish about receiving two doses.

Federal health officials in October authorised booster shots for people who had received a single shot of Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine at least two months earlier. They allowed for a “mix and match” approach, allowing people to get a second shot of a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. Among people in the United States who originally received a single Johnson &amp; Johnson shot and then got a second shot, fewer than 28% have gotten Johnson &amp; Johnson as their booster.

Expert advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will meet Thursday to discuss what federal health officials see as a concerning increase in the rates of a rare but serious blood-clotting disorder linked to Johnson & Johnson’s coronavirus vaccine.

Expert advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will meet Thursday to discuss what federal health officials see as a concerning increase in the rates of a rare but serious blood-clotting disorder linked to Johnson & Johnson’s coronavirus vaccine. The Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices will see new data at the meeting that shows elevated risks of the condition in men and women, according to one federal official, setting the stage for the experts to possibly recommend new restrictions on the use of the vaccine. The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday said that although problems arose in men and women, the highest rate was in about 1 in 100,000 in women ages 30-49. Among the women who were diagnosed with the syndrome, which can impair clotting and cause internal bleeding, about 1 in 7 died, the FDA said. The federal official who described the planning for Thursday’s meeting said that updated figures showed roughly nine deaths from the disorder. The panel on Thursday may advise that the vaccine only be given to people who cannot access a different brand or who want it despite the risk, or restrict it to certain groups. The Washington Post first reported the plans for Thursday’s meeting and the new federal data. Jake Sargent, a spokesperson for Johnson & Johnson, said the company shares with regulators reports of side effects in people who have received the vaccine and strongly supports “raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of this rare event.” About 16 million people in the United States have received a single shot of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine as their primary immunisation, compared to 73 million fully immunised with Moderna’s vaccine and 113 million with Pfizer’s. Among the people in the United States who have received a booster shot, just 1.5% have gotten the one from Johnson & Johnson. The side effect, known as thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome, can impair clotting and cause internal bleeding. An increased risk for the condition has been linked to the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and the shot from AstraZeneca, which is not authorised in the United States. It has not been linked to the vaccines from Moderna or Pfizer. Also read | COVID-19 possibly an engineered virus and leaked from Wuhan lab: Harvard scientist On Tuesday, the FDA announced that it added a warning to the vaccine’s fact sheets for patients and providers, saying the shot should not be given to anyone who has had a clotting problem after a first dose. The agency said that it “continues to find” that the benefits of the vaccine outweigh its risks. As more cases of the clotting disorder were adjudicated by federal health officials in recent months, FDA and CDC officials grew increasingly alarmed by the numbers presented to them by the CDC’s immunisation safety office, which monitors reports in the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, or VAERS, a decades-old system that relies on self-reported cases from patients and health care providers. The reports of the condition grew worrisome enough in recent weeks that federal officials determined they needed to call an emergency meeting of the CDC advisers. In April, soon after Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine started being administered in the United States, federal officials briefly recommended halting use of the shot because of concerns about the risk of blood clots. At the time, the condition had emerged in six women, all of whom developed the illness within one to three weeks of vaccination. One of the women had died. By May, 28 cases had been confirmed. The updated FDA fact sheet for providers says that “currently available evidence supports a causal relationship” between the condition and Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine. The new data come during a surge in virus cases driven by the delta coronavirus variant and omicron, the version of the virus that has already become dominant in some countries and is spreading fast in the United States. Several laboratory experiments suggest that a single dose of Johnson & Johnson’s shot may offer little defense against infection with omicron. The company said late last month that it is testing blood samples from clinical trial participants who have received its shot as a booster to see how their vaccine-induced antibodies fare against omicron. Also read | US develops new software to predict actions that can trigger 'outsized' Chinese reactions The shot has largely fallen out of favor in the United States, despite early hopes that its one-and-done format would be easy to deploy in more isolated communities and among people skittish about receiving two doses. Federal health officials in October authorised booster shots for people who had received a single shot of Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months earlier. They allowed for a “mix and match” approach, allowing people to get a second shot of a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. Among people in the United States who originally received a single Johnson & Johnson shot and then got a second shot, fewer than 28% have gotten Johnson & Johnson as their booster.

CDC panel will discuss blood clot risk linked to Johnson & Johnson vaccine

Omicron, the new variant of Covid was first detected in South Africa on November 24. Ever since then, the variant has been rapidly spreading all across the world. It has created panic all across the globe as countries have banned flights from South Africa and introduced new travel restrictions.&nbsp;

While countries continue to impose travel bans, each week, certain top tourist destinations move up on US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's travel risk list.&nbsp;

France, which was the world's top tourist destination before Covid, has now moved into the 'highest-risk' category. Also, it happens to be among the seven destinations that are at "very high" risk. France is in the midst of a fifth wave of the virus.

Not just France but six other countries belong to this list - Andorra, Cyprus, Jordan, Liechtenstein, Portugal and Tanzania.

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The countries which fall under this category have had over 500 cases per 100,000 residents in&nbsp;28 days. As per CDC, people should avoid travelling to these countries.&nbsp;

A statement by the agency says, "Fully vaccinated travelers are less likely to get and spread Covid-19. However, international travel poses additional risks, and even fully vaccinated travelers might be at increased risk for getting and possibly spreading some Covid-19 variants."

Meanwhile, in late November, French Health Minister Olivier Veran said that the government was taking measures to contain the spread of the newly discovered Covid variant.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Omicron, the new variant of Covid was first detected in South Africa on November 24. Ever since then, the variant has been rapidly spreading all across the world.

Omicron, the new variant of Covid was first detected in South Africa on November 24. Ever since then, the variant has been rapidly spreading all across the world. It has created panic all across the globe as countries have banned flights from South Africa and introduced new travel restrictions. While countries continue to impose travel bans, each week, certain top tourist destinations move up on US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's travel risk list. France, which was the world's top tourist destination before Covid, has now moved into the 'highest-risk' category. Also, it happens to be among the seven destinations that are at "very high" risk. France is in the midst of a fifth wave of the virus. Not just France but six other countries belong to this list - Andorra, Cyprus, Jordan, Liechtenstein, Portugal and Tanzania. Also read | Is HIV behind the emergence of Omicron? Here is what we know so far The countries which fall under this category have had over 500 cases per 100,000 residents in 28 days. As per CDC, people should avoid travelling to these countries. A statement by the agency says, "Fully vaccinated travelers are less likely to get and spread Covid-19. However, international travel poses additional risks, and even fully vaccinated travelers might be at increased risk for getting and possibly spreading some Covid-19 variants." Meanwhile, in late November, French Health Minister Olivier Veran said that the government was taking measures to contain the spread of the newly discovered Covid variant. (With inputs from agencies)

This top tourist destination is now on CDC's 'very high' travel risk list

The United States is set to reopen land and air borders from Monday after it imposed restrictions in March last year as the pandemic took hold worldwide.

The US government will allow entry to fully vaccinated foreign travellers. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a negative COVID-19 test result needs to be shown by&nbsp;air travellers.

Non-US citizens who have not been fully vaccinated will not be allowed to enter the US, the US health agency said with only limited exceptions allowed. The CDC guidelines also required travellers to wear masks in transportation hubs including on planes.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/europe-once-again-at-epicentre-of-coronavirus-pandemic-who-426681">Also Read |&nbsp;Europe once again at epicentre of coronavirus pandemic: WHO</a>

As the US also reopens its land border, reports say vaccination will be required for "non-essential" trips and unvaccinated travellers will be allowed to enter the country for "essential" trips, however, as part of the second phase starting January, visitors would need to be fully vaccinated when they enter the US by land.

According to US health officials, vaccines approved by the FDA and WHO will&nbsp;be accepted for air travellers.

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CDC said travellers should show a negative result to the airline before they board their flight. "The viral test must be conducted on a sample taken no more than 3 days before the flight’s departure," it said even if the person is fully vaccinated.

Travellers who are not fully vaccinated will have to take a viral test no more than one day before the flight's departure, the CDC added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/coronavirus-vaccines-are-helping-prevent-long-covid-study-410188">Also Read |&nbsp;Coronavirus vaccines are helping prevent long Covid: Study</a>

"As we expect high demand when the US lifts its existing air and land travel restrictions Monday, we are taking critical steps to be prepared by providing additional resources," the White House said as United Airlines and Delta airlines braced for an influx of passengers.

(With inputs from Agencies)&nbsp;

The United States is set to reopen land and air borders from Monday after it imposed restrictions in March last year as the pandemic took hold worldwide. The US government will allow entry to fully vaccinated foreign travellers.

The United States is set to reopen land and air borders from Monday after it imposed restrictions in March last year as the pandemic took hold worldwide. The US government will allow entry to fully vaccinated foreign travellers. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a negative COVID-19 test result needs to be shown by air travellers. Non-US citizens who have not been fully vaccinated will not be allowed to enter the US, the US health agency said with only limited exceptions allowed. The CDC guidelines also required travellers to wear masks in transportation hubs including on planes. Also Read | Europe once again at epicentre of coronavirus pandemic: WHO As the US also reopens its land border, reports say vaccination will be required for "non-essential" trips and unvaccinated travellers will be allowed to enter the country for "essential" trips, however, as part of the second phase starting January, visitors would need to be fully vaccinated when they enter the US by land. According to US health officials, vaccines approved by the FDA and WHO will be accepted for air travellers. Also Read: UK reports surge in coronavirus cases as govt keeps 'close watch' CDC said travellers should show a negative result to the airline before they board their flight. "The viral test must be conducted on a sample taken no more than 3 days before the flight’s departure," it said even if the person is fully vaccinated. Travellers who are not fully vaccinated will have to take a viral test no more than one day before the flight's departure, the CDC added. Also Read | Coronavirus vaccines are helping prevent long Covid: Study "As we expect high demand when the US lifts its existing air and land travel restrictions Monday, we are taking critical steps to be prepared by providing additional resources," the White House said as United Airlines and Delta airlines braced for an influx of passengers. (With inputs from Agencies)

US set to reopen borders for vaccinated travellers

The United States has approved Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine for children from the ages of 5 to 11, it is a major milestone in country's fight against the pandemic.

United States: CDC approves Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine for children

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has officially approved Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine for children from the ages of 5 to 11. This means that up to 28 million children in the age group will be eligible for the shots.

US CDC approves Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a 'mix and match' strategy for all vaccines authorised in the country.

The agency said in a statement, "The FDA has determined that the known and potential benefits of the use of a single heterologous booster dose outweigh the known and potential risks of their use in eligible populations."&nbsp;

With the highly infectious Delta variant of coronavirus causing breakthrough infections among those who are fully vaccinated, the move will pave way for millions of Americans to ensure additional safety.

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Moderna and Johnson and Johnson have joined the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine that had been granted authorisation for booster shots six months ago.

Now, people living in the United States have the freedom to choose a different shot for their booster dose than their original inoculation.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/small-needles-short-lines-and-few-tears-bidens-plan-to-vaccinate-young-children-422493" hreflang="en">Small needles, short lines and few tears: Biden’s plan to vaccinate young children</a>

The advisory panel had conducted a study those that are 65 or older, over 18 and at high risk for Covid, or over 18 and have high occupational exposure.

The study was conducted by the US National Institutes of Health on 458 participants and showed that that "mixing and matching" booster shots of different types was safe in adults.

The Biden administration has announced a detailed plan for the vaccination of children aged 5-11 years.

''The vaccine will have packaging available in smaller configurations that will make it easier for physicians’ offices and other smaller, community-based providers to offer the vaccine to kids and their families,'' it said in a statement.

Last month, the White House had announced plans to bolster its vaccination campaign, focusing mainly on booster shots.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/unvaccinated-people-can-get-infected-by-coronavirus-every-16-months-experts-422374">Also read |&nbsp;Unvaccinated people can get infected by coronavirus every 16 months: Experts</a>

This had added pressure on the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the FDA to approve more vaccines.

As per the CDC, approximately 11.2 million people in the United States have received a booster dose.

The mix and match strategy has been supported by several countries including the United Kingdom that has widely backed the use of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. 
&nbsp;

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a 'mix and match' strategy for all vaccines authorised in the country. The agency said in a statement, "The FDA has determined that the known and potential benefits of the use of a single heterologous booster dose outweigh the known and potential risks of their use in eligible populations.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a 'mix and match' strategy for all vaccines authorised in the country. The agency said in a statement, "The FDA has determined that the known and potential benefits of the use of a single heterologous booster dose outweigh the known and potential risks of their use in eligible populations." With the highly infectious Delta variant of coronavirus causing breakthrough infections among those who are fully vaccinated, the move will pave way for millions of Americans to ensure additional safety. Moderna and Johnson and Johnson have joined the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine that had been granted authorisation for booster shots six months ago. Now, people living in the United States have the freedom to choose a different shot for their booster dose than their original inoculation. Also read | Small needles, short lines and few tears: Biden’s plan to vaccinate young children The advisory panel had conducted a study those that are 65 or older, over 18 and at high risk for Covid, or over 18 and have high occupational exposure. The study was conducted by the US National Institutes of Health on 458 participants and showed that that "mixing and matching" booster shots of different types was safe in adults. The Biden administration has announced a detailed plan for the vaccination of children aged 5-11 years. ''The vaccine will have packaging available in smaller configurations that will make it easier for physicians’ offices and other smaller, community-based providers to offer the vaccine to kids and their families,'' it said in a statement. Last month, the White House had announced plans to bolster its vaccination campaign, focusing mainly on booster shots. Also read | Unvaccinated people can get infected by coronavirus every 16 months: Experts This had added pressure on the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the FDA to approve more vaccines. As per the CDC, approximately 11.2 million people in the United States have received a booster dose. The mix and match strategy has been supported by several countries including the United Kingdom that has widely backed the use of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

FDA approves 'mix and match' strategy for all COVID-19 vaccines approved in US

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged Americans to celebrate the upcoming festive season by taking basic safety measures against the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;

The latest guidance highlights a less restrictive view of the holiday gatherings. This comes in as two-thirds of Americans have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccines.&nbsp;

"Protect those not yet eligible for vaccination such as young children by getting yourself and other eligible people around them vaccinated," CDC noted.&nbsp;

Even after most Americans have received the first dose, September was the worst month in the US for new cases and deaths.

Data from the American Academy of Pediatrics revealed that cases among children peaked in September, as many schools opened for offline classes amid growing cases of delta variant.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-covid-19-cases-among-children-peaked-in-september-shows-data-421035">Also read |&nbsp;US: COVID-19 cases among children peaked in September, shows data</a>

More than 6 million children have tested positive for COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic, with more than 1.1 million new cases recorded from September 3 to September 30.

The weekly data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that COVID-19 deaths among children under age 15 also reached their highest level in September.&nbsp;

Recently, Pfizer has asked the US government to approve the use of its COVID-19 vaccine in children aged 5 to 11 years old, and if regulators agree, injections may start within weeks. In a trial of children, Pfizer had previously declared that a lower dose of their vaccine worked and looked to be safe.

Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech officially submitted their application to the Food and Drug Administration on Thursday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pfizer-asks-us-government-to-allow-covid-vaccine-for-children-ages-5-11-418917">Also read |&nbsp;Pfizer asks US government to allow COVID vaccine for children ages 5-11</a>

"Holiday traditions are important for families and children. There are several ways to enjoy holiday traditions and protect your health," the recent CDC statement said.

"Because many generations tend to gather to celebrate holidays, the best way to minimize Covid-19 risk and keep your family and friends safer is to get vaccinated if you’re eligible," it further added.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged Americans to celebrate the upcoming festive season by taking basic safety measures against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged Americans to celebrate the upcoming festive season by taking basic safety measures against the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest guidance highlights a less restrictive view of the holiday gatherings. This comes in as two-thirds of Americans have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccines. "Protect those not yet eligible for vaccination such as young children by getting yourself and other eligible people around them vaccinated," CDC noted. Even after most Americans have received the first dose, September was the worst month in the US for new cases and deaths. Data from the American Academy of Pediatrics revealed that cases among children peaked in September, as many schools opened for offline classes amid growing cases of delta variant. Also read | US: COVID-19 cases among children peaked in September, shows data More than 6 million children have tested positive for COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic, with more than 1.1 million new cases recorded from September 3 to September 30. The weekly data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that COVID-19 deaths among children under age 15 also reached their highest level in September. Recently, Pfizer has asked the US government to approve the use of its COVID-19 vaccine in children aged 5 to 11 years old, and if regulators agree, injections may start within weeks. In a trial of children, Pfizer had previously declared that a lower dose of their vaccine worked and looked to be safe. Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech officially submitted their application to the Food and Drug Administration on Thursday. Also read | Pfizer asks US government to allow COVID vaccine for children ages 5-11 "Holiday traditions are important for families and children. There are several ways to enjoy holiday traditions and protect your health," the recent CDC statement said. "Because many generations tend to gather to celebrate holidays, the best way to minimize Covid-19 risk and keep your family and friends safer is to get vaccinated if you’re eligible," it further added.

CDC releases official guidelines for upcoming holiday season

Austrian Chancellor Kurz, 35, stepped down from office over corruption allegations, however, he denied any wrongdoing. He was under fire from his own coalition partner the Greens. Kurz said he wanted to "end the stalemate to prevent chaos" as he stepped down from office.&nbsp;

Amid large scale vaccination in the country, NHS England said that the data reveals that nearly 2.08 million booster shots have been administered within the first three weeks of the programme. UK authorities have been motivating people to get vaccinated to ensure the&nbsp;chain of infection can be broken.

Click on the headlines to know more

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/austrian-chancellor-kurz-steps-down-over-corruption-allegations-419525">Austrian Chancellor Kurz steps down over corruption allegations</a>

<img alt=" Sebastian Kurz " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e5df963d-3759-4302-b63e-61cdadfff1fe" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/S11.jpg" />

Kurz, 35, who denied any wrongdoing was under fire from his own coalition partner the&nbsp;Greens.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/more-than-2-million-covid-booster-jabs-given-till-now-in-uk-reports-419526">More than 2 million Covid booster jabs given till now in UK: Reports</a>

NHS England has said that the data reveals that nearly 2.08 million booster shots have been administered within the first three weeks of the booster programme.

<img alt="Covid booster" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="740bec5d-ff82-46de-bc12-94e6c88c32f4" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/E11.jpg" />

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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/travelers-vaccinated-with-who-approved-covid-vaccines-can-enter-us-cdc-419527">Travellers vaccinated with WHO approved Covid vaccines can enter US: CDC</a>

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The US health agency is also expected to 'release additional guidance and information as the travel requirements are finalized'.

&nbsp;

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Austrian Chancellor Kurz, 35, stepped down from office over corruption allegations, however, he denied any wrongdoing. He was under fire from his own coalition partner the Greens.

Austrian Chancellor Kurz, 35, stepped down from office over corruption allegations, however, he denied any wrongdoing. He was under fire from his own coalition partner the Greens. Kurz said he wanted to "end the stalemate to prevent chaos" as he stepped down from office. Amid large scale vaccination in the country, NHS England said that the data reveals that nearly 2.08 million booster shots have been administered within the first three weeks of the programme. UK authorities have been motivating people to get vaccinated to ensure the chain of infection can be broken. Click on the headlines to know more Austrian Chancellor Kurz steps down over corruption allegations Kurz, 35, who denied any wrongdoing was under fire from his own coalition partner the Greens. More than 2 million Covid booster jabs given till now in UK: Reports NHS England has said that the data reveals that nearly 2.08 million booster shots have been administered within the first three weeks of the booster programme. Travellers vaccinated with WHO approved Covid vaccines can enter US: CDC The US health agency is also expected to 'release additional guidance and information as the travel requirements are finalized'. Watch: WION exclusive - Life Under Taliban- 'They call women s**ts'

Morning news brief: US CDC issues new vaccine guidelines for travellers entering US & more

The top US health agency Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)&nbsp;has said that all Covid vaccines approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) can get visitors a clear entry in the US.<o:p></o:p>

"Six vaccines that are FDA authorized/approved or listed for emergency use by WHO will meet the criteria for travel to the US,"&nbsp;a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) spokesperson told Reuters on Friday.

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/more-than-2-million-covid-booster-jabs-given-till-now-in-uk-reports-419526">More than 2 million Covid booster jabs given till now in UK: Reports</a></o:p>

As of now, Covid vaccines developed by Johnson &amp; Johnson, Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna have been approved in the US. WHO has also supported AstraZeneca-Oxford, Sinopharm and Sinovac, along with the three mentioned before.<o:p></o:p>

This has come at a time when the US has been trying to revive the tourism industry in the country. US officials had recently announced that the country will now be lifting travel restrictions from 33 more countries that had been listed at the time when the US was trying to stop the spread of the deadly coronavirus.<o:p></o:p>

Officials have also informed commercial airlines about the approved vaccines. The US health agency is also expected to "release additional guidance and information as the travel requirements are finalized".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/women-face-disproportionate-costs-to-their-livelihoods-due-to-covid-crisis-419440">WATCH |</a>

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This has, however, also raised questions by Russian authorities about the pending approval for Sputnik V vaccine. WHO officials have claimed, in some western media reports, that almost all paperwork has been completed for Sputnik’s approval and the matter will be solved soon. Meanwhile, Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko was quoted saying by Russian TV that only paperwork is left for approval by WHO.<o:p></o:p>

Meanwhile, the US tourism industry is happy to finally open doors for incoming traveller. The industry has been suffering losses since the beginning of the coroanvorus pandemic as repeated lockdowns and border closures had pushed the industry into an almost complete halt.<o:p></o:p>

The top US health agency Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said that all Covid vaccines approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) can get visitors a clear entry in the US.

The top US health agency Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said that all Covid vaccines approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) can get visitors a clear entry in the US. "Six vaccines that are FDA authorized/approved or listed for emergency use by WHO will meet the criteria for travel to the US," a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) spokesperson told Reuters on Friday. Also read | More than 2 million Covid booster jabs given till now in UK: Reports As of now, Covid vaccines developed by Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna have been approved in the US. WHO has also supported AstraZeneca-Oxford, Sinopharm and Sinovac, along with the three mentioned before. This has come at a time when the US has been trying to revive the tourism industry in the country. US officials had recently announced that the country will now be lifting travel restrictions from 33 more countries that had been listed at the time when the US was trying to stop the spread of the deadly coronavirus. Officials have also informed commercial airlines about the approved vaccines. The US health agency is also expected to "release additional guidance and information as the travel requirements are finalized". WATCH | This has, however, also raised questions by Russian authorities about the pending approval for Sputnik V vaccine. WHO officials have claimed, in some western media reports, that almost all paperwork has been completed for Sputnik’s approval and the matter will be solved soon. Meanwhile, Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko was quoted saying by Russian TV that only paperwork is left for approval by WHO. Meanwhile, the US tourism industry is happy to finally open doors for incoming traveller. The industry has been suffering losses since the beginning of the coroanvorus pandemic as repeated lockdowns and border closures had pushed the industry into an almost complete halt.

Travellers vaccinated with WHO approved Covid vaccines can enter US: CDC

In an urgent plea Wednesday, federal health officials asked that any American who is pregnant, planning to become pregnant or currently breastfeeding get vaccinated against the coronavirus as soon as possible.

COVID-19 poses a severe risk during pregnancy, when an individual’s immune system is tamped down, and raises the risk of stillbirth or another poor outcome, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Twenty-two pregnant individuals died of COVID-19 in August, the highest number in a single month since the pandemic started.

Some 125,000 pregnant people have tested positive for the virus; 22,000 pregnant individuals with COVID-19 have been hospitalized, and 161 have died. Hospital data indicates that 97% of those who were infected with the virus when they were hospitalized — for illness, or for labour and delivery — were not vaccinated.

Vaccination rates among those who are pregnant are lower than among the general population. Fewer than one-third of all pregnant people were vaccinated before or during their pregnancy, the agency said.

The rates vary widely by race and ethnicity, with the highest vaccination coverage among pregnant Asian American individuals, nearly half of whom are vaccinated, and the lowest rates among pregnant Black individuals, at just 15%.

Pregnancy is on the CDC’s list of health conditions that increase the risk of severe COVID-19. Although the absolute risk of severe disease is low, pregnant patients who are symptomatic are more than twice as likely as other symptomatic patients to require admission to intensive care or interventions like mechanical ventilation and may be more likely to die.

Some data also suggests that pregnant individuals with COVID-19 are more likely to experience conditions that complicate pregnancy -&nbsp;like a kind of high blood pressure called preeclampsia -&nbsp;compared with pregnant individuals who don’t have COVID-19. Pregnant individuals with the disease are also at increased risk for poor birth outcomes, like preterm birth.

“Pregnancy can be both a special time and also a stressful time, and pregnancy during a pandemic is an added concern for family,” said Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the CDC. She encouraged those who are pregnant and those who may become pregnant “to talk with their health care provider about the protective benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine to keep their babies and themselves safe.”

 
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In an urgent plea Wednesday, federal health officials asked that any American who is pregnant, planning to become pregnant or currently breastfeeding get vaccinated against the coronavirus as soon as possible.

In an urgent plea Wednesday, federal health officials asked that any American who is pregnant, planning to become pregnant or currently breastfeeding get vaccinated against the coronavirus as soon as possible. COVID-19 poses a severe risk during pregnancy, when an individual’s immune system is tamped down, and raises the risk of stillbirth or another poor outcome, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Twenty-two pregnant individuals died of COVID-19 in August, the highest number in a single month since the pandemic started. Some 125,000 pregnant people have tested positive for the virus; 22,000 pregnant individuals with COVID-19 have been hospitalized, and 161 have died. Hospital data indicates that 97% of those who were infected with the virus when they were hospitalized — for illness, or for labour and delivery — were not vaccinated. Vaccination rates among those who are pregnant are lower than among the general population. Fewer than one-third of all pregnant people were vaccinated before or during their pregnancy, the agency said. The rates vary widely by race and ethnicity, with the highest vaccination coverage among pregnant Asian American individuals, nearly half of whom are vaccinated, and the lowest rates among pregnant Black individuals, at just 15%. Pregnancy is on the CDC’s list of health conditions that increase the risk of severe COVID-19. Although the absolute risk of severe disease is low, pregnant patients who are symptomatic are more than twice as likely as other symptomatic patients to require admission to intensive care or interventions like mechanical ventilation and may be more likely to die. Some data also suggests that pregnant individuals with COVID-19 are more likely to experience conditions that complicate pregnancy - like a kind of high blood pressure called preeclampsia - compared with pregnant individuals who don’t have COVID-19. Pregnant individuals with the disease are also at increased risk for poor birth outcomes, like preterm birth. “Pregnancy can be both a special time and also a stressful time, and pregnancy during a pandemic is an added concern for family,” said Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the CDC. She encouraged those who are pregnant and those who may become pregnant “to talk with their health care provider about the protective benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine to keep their babies and themselves safe.”

CDC escalates its pleas for pregnant or breastfeeding Americans to get vaccinated against COVID

As the fourth Indo-US Health Dialogue began here on Monday, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report to commemorate more than a half-century of successful collaborations with the government in New Delhi.

According to the report, the CDC`s decades-old, highly productive, and mutually beneficial public health collaboration with India has achieved measurable success across several critical areas, including, Polio eradication, controlling HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and influenza, building core public health capabilities across disease surveillance, laboratory systems, public health workforce and emergency response and scaling up antimicrobial resistance, and infection prevention and control.

The pandemic has further strengthened the CDC`s partnership with the government of India.

The CDC's Country Director, Meghna Desai said: "The impact and strategic value of CDC`s long-standing collaborations with the Government of India are increasingly clear. Many of our joint efforts are being leveraged to support India`s ongoing Covid-19 response."

"Based on past successes and current public health initiatives, the CDC and the government of India are well-placed to better respond to the world`s most pressing public health challenges," said a statement from CDC.

It added further that the government of India has successfully addressed challenges over the past decades through major investments in the nation`s public health institutions, dedicated resources and platforms to expand one of the largest public health workforces in the world, and a sustained commitment to confront challenging disease control priorities in the country and the region.

"From smallpox to SARS-CoV-2, CDC collaborations with India have benefited both our countries, the entire region, and indeed the world," the statement said.

As the fourth Indo-US Health Dialogue began here on Monday, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report to commemorate more than a half-century of successful collaborations with the government in New Delhi.

As the fourth Indo-US Health Dialogue began here on Monday, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report to commemorate more than a half-century of successful collaborations with the government in New Delhi. According to the report, the CDC`s decades-old, highly productive, and mutually beneficial public health collaboration with India has achieved measurable success across several critical areas, including, Polio eradication, controlling HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and influenza, building core public health capabilities across disease surveillance, laboratory systems, public health workforce and emergency response and scaling up antimicrobial resistance, and infection prevention and control. The pandemic has further strengthened the CDC`s partnership with the government of India. The CDC's Country Director, Meghna Desai said: "The impact and strategic value of CDC`s long-standing collaborations with the Government of India are increasingly clear. Many of our joint efforts are being leveraged to support India`s ongoing Covid-19 response." "Based on past successes and current public health initiatives, the CDC and the government of India are well-placed to better respond to the world`s most pressing public health challenges," said a statement from CDC. It added further that the government of India has successfully addressed challenges over the past decades through major investments in the nation`s public health institutions, dedicated resources and platforms to expand one of the largest public health workforces in the world, and a sustained commitment to confront challenging disease control priorities in the country and the region. "From smallpox to SARS-CoV-2, CDC collaborations with India have benefited both our countries, the entire region, and indeed the world," the statement said.

India, CDC well-placed to better respond to pressing public health challenges: Report

The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr Rochelle Walensky explained her decision to overrule the recommendation of the agency's outside advisory board and endorse COVID-19 booster shots for front-line workers.

In an interview with "Face the Nation," Walensky highlighted that there was a "scientific close call" over whether those who are high-risk of contracting COVID-19 should be eligible for a third dose of the vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-fda-authorises-third-dose-of-pfizer-covid-19-vaccine-for-older-americans-415159">Also read |&nbsp;US FDA authorises third dose of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for older Americans</a>

She further said that the recommendations for boosters are for those people who spend most of their time with the population who might be unvaccinated. This includes teachers in the classroom with children under the age of 12, who are not yet eligible for COVID-19 shots.

"Our recommendation is for these limited people in the population, over 65, high-risk workers, high-risk community occupations, as well as high-risk by comorbidities," she said.

The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr Rochelle Walensky explained her decision to overrule the recommendation of the agency's outside advisory board and endorse COVID-19 booster shots for front-line workers.

The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr Rochelle Walensky explained her decision to overrule the recommendation of the agency's outside advisory board and endorse COVID-19 booster shots for front-line workers. In an interview with "Face the Nation," Walensky highlighted that there was a "scientific close call" over whether those who are high-risk of contracting COVID-19 should be eligible for a third dose of the vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech. Also read | US FDA authorises third dose of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for older Americans She further said that the recommendations for boosters are for those people who spend most of their time with the population who might be unvaccinated. This includes teachers in the classroom with children under the age of 12, who are not yet eligible for COVID-19 shots. "Our recommendation is for these limited people in the population, over 65, high-risk workers, high-risk community occupations, as well as high-risk by comorbidities," she said.

CDC director explains move to recommend booster shots for frontline workers

As per a new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, enforcing masks in schools helps reduce the spread of COVID-19.

One study looked at data from schools in Arizona's Maricopa and Pima Counties after they resumed in-person learning in late July.

The two counties account for roughly 75 per cent of the state's population.&nbsp;

It was concluded that the K-12 schools that did not have mask requirements at the beginning of the school year were 3.5 times more likely to have COVID-19 outbreaks than schools that required all people to wear a mask indoors from the first day of school.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eruptions-shut-airport-on-canaries-volcanic-island-416032">Also read |&nbsp;Eruptions shut airport on Canaries volcanic island</a>

As a part of the study, 999 schools were analysed. Out of this, 21 per cent had an early mask requirement, 30.9 per cent enacted a mask requirement between nine and 17 days after the school year began, and 48 per cent had no mask requirement.

Of the 191 COVID-19 outbreaks that occurred in those schools, 113 were in schools that did not enforce masks at all. Schools with early mask requirements had the lowest number of outbreaks.&nbsp;

Another study from the CDC looked at the impact of school mask mandates across the US. In this, researchers found that counties that had no mask requirements in their schools had a higher rate of pediatric COVID-19 cases after the school year began than those schools that did have requirements.

Schools that required masks&nbsp;had 16.32 cases per 100,000 children in the first week of classes while&nbsp;schools without had 34.85 cases per 100,000 children.&nbsp;

As per a new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, enforcing masks in schools helps reduce the spread of COVID-19. One study looked at data from schools in Arizona's Maricopa and Pima Counties after they resumed in-person learning in late July.

As per a new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, enforcing masks in schools helps reduce the spread of COVID-19. One study looked at data from schools in Arizona's Maricopa and Pima Counties after they resumed in-person learning in late July. The two counties account for roughly 75 per cent of the state's population. It was concluded that the K-12 schools that did not have mask requirements at the beginning of the school year were 3.5 times more likely to have COVID-19 outbreaks than schools that required all people to wear a mask indoors from the first day of school. Also read | Eruptions shut airport on Canaries volcanic island As a part of the study, 999 schools were analysed. Out of this, 21 per cent had an early mask requirement, 30.9 per cent enacted a mask requirement between nine and 17 days after the school year began, and 48 per cent had no mask requirement. Of the 191 COVID-19 outbreaks that occurred in those schools, 113 were in schools that did not enforce masks at all. Schools with early mask requirements had the lowest number of outbreaks. Another study from the CDC looked at the impact of school mask mandates across the US. In this, researchers found that counties that had no mask requirements in their schools had a higher rate of pediatric COVID-19 cases after the school year began than those schools that did have requirements. Schools that required masks had 16.32 cases per 100,000 children in the first week of classes while schools without had 34.85 cases per 100,000 children.

CDC study: Schools with mask mandates likely to have fewer outbreaks

Nicki Minaj may have faced backlash over her tweets doubting COVID-19 vaccines, but it has prompted some of her fans to launch a protest outside the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters in Atlanta.&nbsp; 
 
With the aim to question the authenticity of the vaccines, a group of Minaj fans gathered outside the CDC headquarters on Wednesday with one outspoken supporter insisting, "We should all question this vaccine."

As per Fox News, the demonstrators – who all wore masks and medical gloves – chanted, "Nicki Minaj told me the truth! Fauci lied to me!" according to footage taken by WGCL-TV. 
 
Earlier this week, Minaj <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/nicki-minaj-draws-flak-for-justifying-why-she-had-not-taken-covid-19-vaccine-so-far-413203">expressed her doubts on vaccines</a> in a series of tweets and revealed she had not taken the jab yet. She stated she was still researching whether to get vaccinated.&nbsp; 
 
She raised eyebrows and drew criticism when she revealed that her cousin's friend in Trinidad experienced impotence and swollen testicles after receiving a coronavirus vaccine.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/nicki-minaj-to-jennifer-aniston-celebrities-who-got-covid-19-vaccine-and-those-who-said-no-to-it-413731" hreflang="en">Nicki Minaj to Jennifer Aniston: Celebrities who got COVID-19 vaccine, and those who said no to it</a> 
 
Minaj's claim was dismissed by numerous medical professionals as well as political leaders.&nbsp; 
 
The rapper also claimed that the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/nicki-minaj-says-the-us-govt-invited-her-discuss-covid-19-vaccines-white-house-denies-claims-413735">White House had invited her</a> to discuss her doubts about vaccines. Officials at the White House shot down Minaj's claim and stated they were open to a call with her.&nbsp; 
 
A White House official said, "As we have with others, we offered a call with Nicki Minaj and one of our doctors to answer questions she has about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine."

Minaj had made the claim on Twitter that she`d been invited to the White House.

She wrote, "The White House has invited me &amp; I think it`s a step in the right direction. Yes, I`m going. I`ll be dressed in all pink like Legally Blonde so they know I mean business. I`ll ask questions on behalf of the ppl who have been made fun of for simply being human. #BallGate day 3"

Nicki Minaj may have faced backlash over her tweets doubting COVID-19 vaccines, but it has prompted some of her fans to launch a protest outside the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters in Atlanta.

Nicki Minaj may have faced backlash over her tweets doubting COVID-19 vaccines, but it has prompted some of her fans to launch a protest outside the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters in Atlanta. With the aim to question the authenticity of the vaccines, a group of Minaj fans gathered outside the CDC headquarters on Wednesday with one outspoken supporter insisting, "We should all question this vaccine." As per Fox News, the demonstrators – who all wore masks and medical gloves – chanted, "Nicki Minaj told me the truth! Fauci lied to me!" according to footage taken by WGCL-TV. Earlier this week, Minaj expressed her doubts on vaccines in a series of tweets and revealed she had not taken the jab yet. She stated she was still researching whether to get vaccinated. She raised eyebrows and drew criticism when she revealed that her cousin's friend in Trinidad experienced impotence and swollen testicles after receiving a coronavirus vaccine. Also see: Nicki Minaj to Jennifer Aniston: Celebrities who got COVID-19 vaccine, and those who said no to it Minaj's claim was dismissed by numerous medical professionals as well as political leaders. The rapper also claimed that the White House had invited her to discuss her doubts about vaccines. Officials at the White House shot down Minaj's claim and stated they were open to a call with her. A White House official said, "As we have with others, we offered a call with Nicki Minaj and one of our doctors to answer questions she has about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine." Minaj had made the claim on Twitter that she`d been invited to the White House. She wrote, "The White House has invited me & I think it`s a step in the right direction. Yes, I`m going. I`ll be dressed in all pink like Legally Blonde so they know I mean business. I`ll ask questions on behalf of the ppl who have been made fun of for simply being human. #BallGate day 3"

Nicki Minaj's fans protest outside CDC headquarters following her tweets on vaccines

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported on Friday said&nbsp;that a new study has found that unvaccinated individuals are four-and-a-half times more likely to contract COVID-19 and eleven times more likely to die from it.

CDC Director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky discussed the findings at a White House COVID-19 response team briefing on Friday. She said that the study, published in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), evaluated over six hundred thousand people with COVID-19 from April through mid-July.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/clearly-unconstitutional-us-justice-department-sues-texas-over-restrictive-abortion-law-412003">Also read |&nbsp;'Clearly unconstitutional': US Justice Department sues Texas over restrictive abortion law</a>

Walensky also said that the seven-day average of daily deaths from COVID-19 remains over one thousand.

The data comes one day after US&nbsp;President Joe Biden unveiled a six step plan to combat COVID-19 that includes measures such as requiring some employers to impose vaccination mandates or mandatory testing, making available more over-the-counter at-home coronavirus tests and expanding the government's free testing program.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported on Friday said that a new study has found that unvaccinated individuals are four-and-a-half times more likely to contract COVID-19 and eleven times more likely to die from it.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported on Friday said that a new study has found that unvaccinated individuals are four-and-a-half times more likely to contract COVID-19 and eleven times more likely to die from it. CDC Director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky discussed the findings at a White House COVID-19 response team briefing on Friday. She said that the study, published in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), evaluated over six hundred thousand people with COVID-19 from April through mid-July. Also read | 'Clearly unconstitutional': US Justice Department sues Texas over restrictive abortion law Walensky also said that the seven-day average of daily deaths from COVID-19 remains over one thousand. The data comes one day after US President Joe Biden unveiled a six step plan to combat COVID-19 that includes measures such as requiring some employers to impose vaccination mandates or mandatory testing, making available more over-the-counter at-home coronavirus tests and expanding the government's free testing program.

New CDC study says unvaccinated 4.5 times more likely to get COVID-19, 11 times more likely to die

An unvaccinated elementary school teacher who took off their mask to read to students ended up infecting more than half of the students, last May.

As per California public health officials, the students further went on infecting other students, family members and community members.&nbsp;

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr Rochelle Walensky said that it is a prime example of how easy it is to undermine efforts to protect children who are too young to be vaccinated.&nbsp;

A team at Marin County Public Health reported in the CDC's report of death and disease that the teacher came to work even though they had COVID-19 symptoms and then took off their mask to read to the young students. In the classroom of 22 students, 12 became infected.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-virus-origins-us-intelligence-community-says-it-was-not-developed-as-biological-weapon-408909">Also read |&nbsp;COVID-19 virus&nbsp;origins:&nbsp;US intelligence community says it was 'not developed' as biological weapon</a>

"The school required teachers and students to mask while indoors; interviews with parents of infected students suggested that students' adherence to masking and distancing guidelines in line with CDC recommendations was high in class. However, the teacher was reportedly unmasked on occasions when reading aloud in class," the report read.

"Throughout this period, all desks were separated by six feet," it added. "All classrooms had portable high-efficiency particulate air filters and doors and windows were left open."

The CDC highlighted this case as an example of how schools need to follow all recommendations if they want to protect students and staff.

During a White House briefing, Walensky said, "The introduction of the virus into the classroom by a teacher who worked in school, while she was both symptomatic and unvaccinated and who was unmasked when reading aloud to a class, resulted in cases within the classroom, across the school and among families of students and staff in the community".&nbsp;

An unvaccinated elementary school teacher who took off their mask to read to students ended up infecting more than half of the students, last May. As per California public health officials, the students further went on infecting other students, family members and community members.

An unvaccinated elementary school teacher who took off their mask to read to students ended up infecting more than half of the students, last May. As per California public health officials, the students further went on infecting other students, family members and community members. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr Rochelle Walensky said that it is a prime example of how easy it is to undermine efforts to protect children who are too young to be vaccinated. A team at Marin County Public Health reported in the CDC's report of death and disease that the teacher came to work even though they had COVID-19 symptoms and then took off their mask to read to the young students. In the classroom of 22 students, 12 became infected. Also read | COVID-19 virus origins: US intelligence community says it was 'not developed' as biological weapon "The school required teachers and students to mask while indoors; interviews with parents of infected students suggested that students' adherence to masking and distancing guidelines in line with CDC recommendations was high in class. However, the teacher was reportedly unmasked on occasions when reading aloud in class," the report read. "Throughout this period, all desks were separated by six feet," it added. "All classrooms had portable high-efficiency particulate air filters and doors and windows were left open." The CDC highlighted this case as an example of how schools need to follow all recommendations if they want to protect students and staff. During a White House briefing, Walensky said, "The introduction of the virus into the classroom by a teacher who worked in school, while she was both symptomatic and unvaccinated and who was unmasked when reading aloud to a class, resulted in cases within the classroom, across the school and among families of students and staff in the community".

Unvaccinated, unmasked teacher infected more than half of students in class, reports CDC

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a new moratorium on evictions that would last until October 3. The new moratorium could help keep millions in their homes as the coronavirus’ delta variant has spread and states have been slow to release federal rental aid.

US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention issues new moratorium on evictions

Automakers in America and the United Auto Workers or UAW union said on Tuesday that they will once again make masks mandatory at all U.S. plants. This decision was made following the Center for Disease Control and Prevention or CDC making masks compulsory for fully vaccinated people as the Delta variant spreads rapidly in the U.S.

Automakers in America to make masks mandatory at all U.S. plants

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