Health

Vaccines against the coronavirus will have side effects – and that's a good thing

By Matthew Woodruff, The Conversation

The side effects of new SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are a result of immune system activation. While uncomfortable, they are both normal and expected. They are a sign that the vaccine is working.

Ex-presidents willing to get vaccine publicly to boost confidence

By Will Weissert, Associated Press

Three former presidents say they'd be willing to publicly take a coronavirus vaccine, once one becomes available, to encourage all Americans to get inoculated against a disease that has already killed more than 273,000 people nationwide.

As some pandemic aid is expected to end, what's next for hurting Americans

By Sarah Skidmore Sell, Associated Press

Expanded unemployment benefits, federal eviction protections and a pause in student loan payments all cease at the end of this year. Meanwhile, the pandemic shows no signs of abating.

U.S. virus deaths top 3,100 in a single day for the first time

By Associated Press

The number of Americans hospitalized with the virus has also eclipsed 100,000 for the first time.

Phishing ploy targets COVID-19 vaccine distribution effort

By Frank Bajak, Associated Press

IBM security researchers say they have detected a cyberespionage effort using targeted phishing emails to try to collect vital information on the World Health Organization's initiative for distributing COVID-19 vaccine to developing countries.

U.S. jobless claims remain high at 712,000 as virus escalates

By Paul Wiseman, Associated Press

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell last week to a still-high 712,000, the latest sign that the U.S. economy and job market remain under stress from the intensified viral outbreak.

Biden, top Democrats swing behind bipartisan pandemic aid bill

By Andrew Taylor, Associated Press

President-elect Joe Biden has swung behind a bipartisan COVID-19 relief effort. That comes as his top Capitol Hill allies cut their demands for a $2 trillion-plus measure by more than half.

The essential COVID-19 vaccine FAQ

By Laura Santhanam

The COVID-19 pandemic continues, and the need for face masks, hand-washing and social distancing remain. But the largest vaccination campaign in United States history has also begun protecting its first recipients.

Swamped hospitals scramble for pandemic help

By Grant Schulte, Amy Forliti, Associated Press

U.S. hospitals slammed with COVID-19 patients are trying to lure nurses and doctors out of retirement, recruiting students and new graduates who have yet to earn their licenses.

Putin orders 'large-scale' COVID-19 vaccination in Russia

By Daria Litvinova, Associated Press

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a “large-scale” COVID-19 immunization campaign to start by late next week. Putin said that doctors and teachers set to be first in line to get a Russian-designed vaccine named Sputnik V.