COVID-19 vaccine

U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, who has helped the U.S. through other crises like the Zika outbreak, is now taking on health misinformation around COVID-19, which he says continues to jeopardize the country's efforts to beat back the virus.

Health & Safety

The U.S. Surgeon General Is Calling COVID-19 Misinformation An 'Urgent Threat'

11:33am July 15, 2021

by Geoff Brumfiel

The nation's top doctor, Vivek Murthy, says misinformation will keep sowing mistrust and endangering lives unless all Americans do their part to fight it.

Masks are critical in reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission for children too young for vaccines, such as this 7-year-old girl. That's part of the newly updated CDC guidelines for the coming school year — and for travel plans parents are making for

CDC Updates Guidelines To Protect Kids From COVID In School. Plus: Vacation Tips

3:18pm July 09, 2021

by Sheila Mulrooney Eldred

The updated guidance promotes vaccination for those old enough and says vaccinated children may not need masks. What about kids too young for vaccines? And as summer begins, what about vacation risks?

Opinion: I'm Nigerian. I'm Vaccinated. Europe Won't Let Me In

6:26pm June 30, 2021

by Ifeanyi Nsofor

Europe lists four approved vaccines for travelers. There's an omission that makes Nigerian physician Ifeanyi Nsofor feel invisible — and disappointed.

There are some situations where you still might want to mask up: in crowded indoor settings, around immunocompromised people, in areas with high COVID-19 transmission rates and around unvaccinated people.

Health & Safety

Coronavirus FAQ: I'm Vaccinated And Confused. Do I Need To Mask Up Or Not?

12:48pm June 29, 2021

by Sheila Mulrooney Eldred

A World Health Organization representative just advised wearing masks after vaccination. The CDC has a different perspective. We asked public health specialists to weigh in.

A computer-enhanced image of the HIV virus.

Protecting The Immuno-Compromised Against COVID Could Be Key To Ending The Pandemic

6:50pm June 28, 2021

by Nurith Aizenman

Vaccines may not be as effective for those who are immuno-compromised. Protecting them needs to be made a top priority, says researchers — to keep them safe and to slow the emergence of variants.

A teen gets a dose of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine last month at Holtz Children's Hospital in Miami. Nearly 7 million U.S. teens and preteens (ages 12 through 17) have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine so far, the CDC says.

Pfizer's COVID Vaccine In Teens And Myocarditis: What You Need To Know

7:48pm June 17, 2021

by Joanne Silberner

Health officials are investigating reports of mostly mild, temporary and treatable heart inflammation that may or may not be causally linked to vaccination with an mRNA vaccine against COVID-19.

A sticker reads, "I got vaccinated," at a vaccination site inside Penn Station last month in New York City.

Health & Safety

New York City Has Been Slow To Vaccinate Homebound Elderly, Causing More Sickness

12:36pm June 16, 2021

by Fred Mogul

Despite being hit hard early in the pandemic, New York City lags behind in vaccinating people 65 and older, and its efforts to reach the homebound and disabled have been disorganized.

Solid research has found the vaccines authorized for use against COVID-19 to be safe and effective. But some anti-vaccine activists are mischaracterizing government data to imply the jabs are dangerous.

Anti-Vaccine Activists Use A Federal Database To Spread Fear About COVID Vaccines

12:57pm June 14, 2021

by Geoff Brumfiel

The system is designed to provide early warning of what might or might not be actual side effects. But anti-vaccine groups are bending the data to their own ends.

A woman receives the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 at a drive-in vaccination event last week in Meerbusch, Germany.

Health & Safety

New Evidence Suggests COVID-19 Vaccines Remain Effective Against Variants

12:53pm June 09, 2021

by Joe Palca

An analysis of blood from people who had received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine found a lower level of neutralizing antibodies against viral variants but a strong response involving T cells.

Queue Listen Now

Washington is offering free, pre-rolled joints to adults who get the COVID-19 vaccine. Here, a person smokes a joint in The Netherlands.

Hey Washingtonians! Get A Vaccine. Smoke A Joint.

12:48pm June 09, 2021

by Josie Fischels

In Washington, adults can now walk away from their COVID-19 vaccine appointment with a free, pre-rolled joint. Other states are also offering incentives to try to convince people to get the shot.