Health

WHO reverses stances on COVID boosters, now ‘strongly supports’ extra doses

By Associated Press

An expert group convened by the World Health Organization said it “strongly supports urgent and broad access” to coronavirus vaccines, including booster doses.

Pentagon to permanently shut down leaking Navy fuel tank facility in Hawaii

By Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press

The Defense Department says it will permanently shut down the Navy’s massive fuel tank facility in Hawaii that leaked petroleum into Pearl Harbor’s tap water, and will remove all the fuel.

Moderna greenlights new vaccine facility in Kenya, its first in Africa

By Associated Press

Moderna says it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Kenya’s government for the drugmaker's first mRNA vaccine manufacturing facility in Africa.

Florida to recommend against COVID vaccines for healthy kids

By Anthony Izaguirre, Associated Press

In Florida, new virus policy recommendations discourage mask-wearing and direct physicians to exercise their own judgment when treating virus patients.

Gov. Gavin Newsom proposes court-ordered mental health treatment for homeless people

By Don Thompson, Janie Har, Associated Press

California’s governor has unveiled a plan to create mental health courts that would mandate services to more homeless people with severe behavioral and addiction disorders.

Florida poised to limit abortions as Supreme Court mulls Roe v. Wade

By Anthony Izaguirre, Associated Press

Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to sign a 15-week abortion ban into law after Florida's legislature joined the trend of Republican-led states anticipating a U.S. Supreme Court decision that could sharply limit abortion rights in America.

Iowa governor signs restrictive transgender sports bill

By David Pitt, Associated Press

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has signed into law a bill that prohibits transgender females from participating in girls high school sports and women's college athletics, rejecting opponents' argument that she would harm children to solve a nonexistent problem.

South Dakota lawmakers pass restrictive abortion pill laws under dispute in federal court

By Stephen Groves, Associated Press

The South Dakota Legislature has passed a proposal from Gov. Kristi Noem that aims to make the state one of the hardest places in the U.S. to get abortion pills. But it won't actually be enacted unless the state prevails…

WATCH: Biden outlines COVID plan in State of the Union, says Americans can soon move ‘back to more normal routines’

By Zeke Miller, Associated Press

President Joe Biden says "it's time for Americans to get back to work" and he's announcing new efforts to allow people to return to normal activities safely after two years of pandemic disruptions.

Pfizer vaccine effective against severe COVID-19 for children between 5 and 11, CDC says

By Lauran Neergaard, Associated Press

A new government report shows Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine gave children 5 and older strong protection against hospitalization and death even during the omicron surge.