Category: Covid-19 Vaccine

CLAIM

Danish researchers [...] found protection against Omicron turned negative three months after the second dose

DETAILS

Misrepresents source: The study by researchers in Denmark didnt conclude that vaccination made people more prone to infection. On the contrary, their results showed that COVID-19 vaccination reduces peoples risk of infection, although the protection wanes over time and that a booster shot helps to reinforce COVID-19 immunity.

KEY TAKE AWAY

Scientific studies have shown that COVID-19 vaccination provides people with a high level of protection against severe illness and death, even in the face of the Omicron variant. Vaccination can also reduce a persons risk of infection to some extent, although this protection is less effective against the Omicron variant compared to earlier reported variants. However, a booster dose can help to bolster waning immunity.

REVIEW A Substack article written by journalist Alex Berenson claimed that vaccinated people are at higher risk of Omicron, citing a study conducted by researchers in Denmark. The article received more than 2,500 user engagements on Facebook, including more than 1,100 shares. The same claim was also made by U.S. Senator Rand Paul on Fox News, as can be seen in this TikTok video that was shared more than 106,000 times.

The study in question is a preprint, which is a study that hasnt been peer-reviewed by other scientists yet, authored by a team of researchers at Statens Serum Institut. Its aims were to examine the level of protection from vaccination with COVID-19 mRNA vaccines against Omicron infection and track the waning of vaccine effectiveness over time[1]. The researchers used Danish nationwide registries to extract data on COVID-19 PCR test results and vaccination status for Danish residents aged 12 and above.

Health Feedback reached out to the preprints authors for comment. The first author, medical statistician and epidemiologist Christian Holm Hansen, refuted the claim, stating that the Interpretation that our research is evidence of anything but a protective vaccine effect is misrepresentative. [see his full comments below]

He also explained why vaccine effectiveness (VE) was observed to be negative in the study, citing the presence of bias in the VE estimates, saying that Such biases are quite common in VE estimation from observational studies based on population data, unlike in phase III clinical trials. Indeed, a preprint published by scientists in Ontario, Canada, which also examined vaccine effectiveness in an observational study and detected negative vaccine effectiveness[2], was found to have been influenced by behavioural and methodological issues, such as the timing of the observational study, the way in which vaccine passports altered individual risk and changes in access to COVID-19 testing. That preprint is currently being revised.

Hansen offered several reasons for how bias could occur in a study. For example, he pointed out that vaccinated individuals tend to get tested more often than unvaccinated people. Another reason could have to do with the fact that Omicron cases by and large were detected in international travelers, most of whom were vaccinated. We expect therefore that there was an overrepresentation of vaccinated people among the first generations of Omicron cases identified in Denmark, not because the vaccines werent protective, but because the variant hadnt spread far enough into the general population, including into the unvaccinated population, to make for comparable infection rates, he said.

Indeed, the preprint concluded in favor of vaccination, not against it:

Our study contributes to emerging evidence that BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273 primary vaccine protection against Omicron decreases quickly over time with booster vaccination offering a significant increase in protection. In light of the exponential rise in Omicron cases, these findings highlight the need for massive rollout of vaccinations and booster vaccinations.

Berenson also claimed that there was the real terror [of] antibody-dependent enhancement from vaccination. Antibody-dependent enhancement, or ADE for short, occurs when antibodies against a virus improve the virus ability to cause infection, rather than impede it. Contrary to the impression given in Berensons article, ADE can arise as a result of antibodies from a previous infection or vaccination, as we see in cases of dengue fever. The phenomenon isnt exclusive to vaccination.

Antibody-dependent enhancement manifests as severe illness. If vaccination made people more prone to severe illness, we would have seen a higher incidence of severe COVID-19 in vaccinated people compared to unvaccinated people. Instead, we observe the opposite: vaccinated people are less likely to develop severe COVID-19 compared to unvaccinated people[3-5]. This is evidence that vaccination isnt leading to ADE.

In summary, claims that the preprint is evidence the vaccines make people more prone to illness are inaccurate and misrepresent the researchers findings. Scientific evidence so far indicates that COVID-19 vaccination continues to provide people with a high level of protection against severe illness and death, even in the face of the Omicron variant. Vaccination can also reduce a persons risk of infection to some extent, although this protection is less effective against the Omicron variant compared to earlier reported variants. However, a booster dose can help to bolster waning immunity. SCIENTISTS FEEDBACK Christian Holm Hansen, Medical Statistician and Epidemiologist, Statens Serum Institut:Interpretation that our research is evidence of anything but a protective vaccine effect is misrepresentative.

The aims of the study were to:(a) determine whether there was any evidence of vaccine protection against Omicron infection after a primary vaccination series and booster vaccination with either the BNT162b2 (Pfizer) or mRNA-1273 (Moderna) vaccines.(b) investigate evidence of waning vaccine effectiveness over time.

So what did we see?Our study provides evidence of protection against infection with the Omicron variant after completion of a primary vaccination series with the BNT162b2 (Pfizer) or mRNA-1273 (Moderna) vaccines in the first months after primary vaccination. However, the VE is significantly lower than that against Delta infection and declines rapidly over just a few months. The VE is re-established upon revaccination with the BNT162b2 vaccine.

To expand a little more on this, the protection is strongest in the months immediately after vaccination with an estimated vaccine effectiveness of around 55% for the Pfizer vaccine. A vaccine effectiveness of 55% broadly means that you are 55% less likely to get infected if youre vaccinated than if youre not.

Regarding negative vaccine effectiveness:The research shows early results from the first 20 days of Omicron in Denmark. The fact that the estimated VE is negative during the last period suggests that there is bias in the comparison between the vaccinated and the unvaccinated population. We also make this point in the discussion.

If a study estimate is biased it means that it is measuring something different from what was intended. The VE estimate may be biased if the infection rates in the vaccinated and unvaccinated populations are impacted by effects other than the vaccines.

Such biases are quite common in VE estimation from observational studies based on population data (unlike a phase 3 randomised trial which is the gold standard).

There are a number of reasons why the VE estimate might be negative.

On that basis it is reasonable to expect that the vaccine effectiveness estimates presented in our study are too low.

To conclude, the vaccines protective effect may be low against infection with Omicron after four months, but it is most unlikely to be negative!

I should also point out that our research is not yet peer-reviewed. This is the process where other scientists, epidemiologists assess the work for its rigour and robustness.

Here is the original post:

No, a study from Denmark didn't find that COVID-19 vaccines make people more prone to infection; biases in the study likely led to underestimated...

When the first consignment of COVID-19 vaccines arrived in Rumbek, the capital of Lakes State in South Sudan, WHO State Polio Officer Dr Jiel Jiel was prepared. In support of the Ministry of Health, and in collaboration with partners, he had been working for weeks to help coordinate the vaccine rollout, using skills gained from working to eradicate polio.

He explains, For the COVID-19 rollout, the implementing partner turned to us, as they know we have experience in delivering vaccines. The expertise from the top to the bottom of the polio team was utilised.

In countries where the polio programme has a large footprint, staff provided exceptional support to the initial stages of COVID-19 pandemic response. Since then, polio teams have been assisting with COVID-19 vaccination. Their contributions including to vaccine logistics, social mobilization, surveillance, training and data management demonstrate their wide skillset and their ability to help make progress on broader health priorities.

In the African Region, over 500 polio eradication staff assisted with the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in 2021. 39% of that workforce reported spending between 20 50% of their time on COVID-19 vaccination efforts, whilst 37% reported dedicating more than 50% of their time. Staff balanced this work with resumed polio vaccination campaigns, which were paused to protect against possible spread of COVID-19 in the early stages of the pandemic.

Their efforts demonstrate the potential for the polio workforce and assets to contribute in the long term to strengthening health systems and building back better. The polio transition process aims to leverage the skills, relationships and reach of the polio workforce in an integrated manner to make progress on a range of health priorities - especially essential immunization, vaccine-preventable disease surveillance and emergency response. The indispensable work of the polio workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic shows that sustaining this network is a good investment for national and global health priorities.

Dr Eshetu Wassie, a National Polio Officer in Ethiopia, explains that the polio workforce is well positioned to assist with reaching health goals.

The polio experience has helped to bring the WHO workforce together, as COVID-19 required a multisectoral response. This was easier to organize through the polio platform, which was used to bringing partners together.

Polio staff have undertaken a wide range of tasks. In Nigeria, ensuring the availability of both COVID-19 and polio vaccines has reduced the number of visits families need to make to health facilities, whilst in Cameroon, polio staff have developed communications and advocacy materials to promote COVID-19 vaccine uptake. In many countries, the polio workforce have supported the collection of data on Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) for COVID-19, and have used their experiences in polio eradication to help coordinate effective rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine in different contexts.

In the Eastern Mediterranean Region, the polio workforce in Somalia helped to rollout COVID-19 vaccines throughout 2021. Mohamud Shire, a Senior Polio Eradication Officer in Somalia, explains, Some of the polio volunteers worked as vaccinators, whilst others were social mobilizers. Regional and District Polio Officers were supervisors of the vaccine rollout. And it helped that communities know and trust us.

In the South East Asian Region, the integrated immunization and surveillance networks used their experience of introducing new vaccines, including Inactivated Polio Vaccine, to help ensure a smooth rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines. In India and Nepal, support provided by the network has included capacity building, campaign monitoring and contributing to guideline development. In Bangladesh, polio and measles campaign microplans were used to conduct a successful pilot of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. In Indonesia and Myanmar network support included dissemination of guidelines and cold chain monitoring.

With populations in low-income countries around the world still un- or under-vaccinated against COVID-19, and health systems under severe strain, the continued support of the polio network is likely to be critical to recover from the pandemic. Looking ahead, Dr Jiel Jiel underlines the importance of transitioning and sustaining the polio workforce in polio-free contexts so that they can contribute to health systems recovery, If we were not present, it would be more difficult for the health system to reach the vaccine coverage that is desired.

WHO staff have built up our skills, we have institutional memory and you can rely on us to produce results.

Continued here:

Polio team's support for COVID-19 vaccination demonstrates their value for global health - World - ReliefWeb

Starting next month students and families in the Detroit public school community district will be able to roll up their sleeves and get the COVID vaccine at school.

"I've been advocating for this for a while and finally weve been authorized to do so, says DPSCD superintendent Doctor Nikolai Vitti.

Full-time and contracted nurses at DPSCD will be able to administer the COVID vaccine.

Were going to start off in a couple of schools and ramp up where at least 50% of our schools have the vaccine, says Vitti.

I think thats an excellent idea, says Donna Thornton who is a former principal for DPSCD.

Thornton says some parents dont have transportation to get them to vaccine sites, so having the shot in schools will help. Thorton also says it will also offset parents who are hesitant.

"Again I speak from experience they trust the nurses at the school, so if they are trusting the nurses at the school with their health currently, they will be more apt to get the vaccine from that particular nurse," says Thornton.

Natalia Russell is the current principal at Catherine C. Blackwell Institute in Detroit agrees.

"9 times out of 10 every trust whats going on in the school your home away from home so you have a sense of security confidence and comfortability with your neighborhood school, says Russell.

Its all about equity and access, says Marci Oliver.

Oliver has two boys attending DPSCD schools. They're both vaccinated and she is hopeful more of their classmates will get the shot so they can return to face to face learning, because she says virtual school isnt working.

"I think its been very clear that it has impacted our students ability to score well to do well to compete academically so if this has the ability to keep those doors open, I would definitely support it, says Oliver.

Dr. Vitti says as an extra layer of protection the district will also be requiring all parents sign a consent form allowing non-invasive COVID testing if they refuse, they children will have to remain going to school online.

View post:

COVID-19 vaccine will soon be administered at DPSCD - WXYZ

Shreveport The Center of Excellence for Emerging Threats (CEVT) continues to provide lifesaving testing and vaccines at theLouisiana State Fairgroundssite located at 3710 Hudson Avenue, Monday through Saturday, 10AM 5PM. Gates close at 4:30PM.This large-scale community clinic will be open on Martin Luther King Jr. DayMonday, January 17.

RegardingBoosters, the FDA recommends:

All vaccinations and/or testing takes place without an individual needing to leave the vehicle.

No appointments are needed for first or second doses of the vaccine.

Individuals should provide ID and insurance information when they arrive at any LSUHS vaccine distribution site. Those that are without insurance are still eligible to receive the vaccine.While pre-registration is encouraged for those ages 18 and up,it is not required to receive the vaccine. To preregister, go to the LSU Health Shreveport website atwww.lsuhs.edu.

LSUHS COVID-19TESTING & VACCINATIONSITE

Louisiana State Fairgrounds3701 Hudson Avenue, Shreveport

LSUHS COVID-19VACCINATIONSITES

Clear Horizon Apartments 4305 Illinois Ave,Shreveport

Webster ParishPublic Health Unit 1200 Homer Road, Minden

Peaceful Rest Baptist Church 8200 St. Vincent Avenue, Shreveport

Sunday, January 1612 PM 3 PM;1stor 2nddoses of vaccine, and booster shots are available.

Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC)6220 E. Texas St, Bossier City

Wednesday, January 191 PM 4 PM;1stor 2nddoses of vaccine, and booster shots are available.

BilBerry Recreational Center 1902 Alabama Avenue, Shreveport

Saturday, January 229 AM 12 PM;1stor 2nddoses of vaccine, and booster shots are available.

Valencia Recreation Center 1800 Viking Dr, Shreveport

Saturday, January 2212:30 PM 3:30 PM;1stor 2nddoses of vaccine, and booster shots are available.

Williams Memorial CME7288 Greenwood Road, Shreveport

Saturday, January 221 PM 4 PM;1stor 2nddoses of vaccine, and booster shots are available.

Original post:

LSU Health Shreveport COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Schedule - Bossier Press-Tribune Online

Even with all the restrictions the UI faces with COVID-19 policies, we need to focus on incentivizing vaccines and booster shots.

As students return to classes, cases of COVID-19 are on the rise. To keep students, employees, and the community safe, the University of Iowa needs to prioritize incentivizing vaccines and safety measures.

During the pandemic, Iowas government has consistently failed to take action to stop the spread of the virus. State lawmakers and Gov. Kim Reynolds attempted to ban mask mandates in schools, but it was blocked by a judge. The state Legislature has banned government agencies and businesses from requiring vaccines as a condition of service. These restrictions have limited the amount of action the state Board of Regents can take.

Although the university is encouraging masking and vaccines like last semester, other schools have put more measures into place to slow the spread of the highly transmissible omicron variant of the virus. These measures include adaptations such as starting the first two weeks of classes online.

The UIs Campaign to Organize Graduate Students, or COGS, has called for the UI to implement more COVID mitigations. COGS pointed out on its social media accounts that UI has the least number of policies in place to combat COVID-19 in the Big Ten. At minimum, every other school has implemented mask mandates.

So far, the UI has announced plans to hand out free test kits and upgrade the masks supplied in buildings. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is also offered at Student Health.

Although the Regents have made it difficult to take precautions, mitigating the spread of the virus should still be a priority for the UI by working to incentivize vaccines, masking, and creating a consistent COVID-19 absence policy.

The daily average of COVID-19 cases in Iowa has already surpassed the bleak record set in November of 2020. As of Jan. 16, the daily average for new cases is 5,344, and Johnson County has the third-highest daily average for COVID-19 cases in the state. Things could worsen, as the omicron-fueled wave is predicted to peak in Iowa by the end of February.

Earlier in the month, hospitals were already overwhelmed by cases with ICUs full of mostly unvaccinated Iowans. The best protection we have against the virus is getting the vaccine and booster shots, and the UI needs to do a better job incentivizing these.

About a quarter of the states population has received a booster shot. At this point in the pandemic, getting a booster after six months of being fully vaccinated is crucial in maximizing your protection against the virus.

Experts have been recommending people get their booster shot after six months of initially being fully vaccinated. A recent study conducted by researchers at the Ragon Institute, MIT, and Harvard found people who receive a booster shot have a greater ability to neutralize the omicron variant.

One way the UI could work toward this is by looking into how effective handing out Downtown Iowa City gift cards to those who showed their vaccine card at the beginning of the fall semester. A similar initiative could possibly be reinstated.

Purdue University incentivized students to get vaccinated by entering vaccinated students into a drawing for a year of in-state tuition. Other schools have created similar incentive programs.

There should also be consistent policies and procedures for sick students and staff. As of right now, the Office of the Registrar has no definitive absence policy for COVID-19. You are expected to self-report if you test positive. If youre experiencing symptoms, then youre directed to isolate and get tested.

The UI should make it clear students do not need to worry about unexcused absences when trying to look out for their own health and the health of others.

The Board of Regents has stated they want students to have as normal of a campus experience as possible. We should not be sacrificing safety for normalcy.

We are all tired of cycling through waves of high and low COVID-19 transmission. While the UI has very few COVID-19 mitigations in place compared to other schools, the least it can do is incentive vaccines to help increase vaccination rates on campus and protect the community.

Columns reflect the opinions of the authors and are not necessarily those of the Editorial Board, The Daily Iowan, or other organizations in which the author may be involved.

Read the original post:

Opinion | The UI needs to incentivize COVID-19 safety measures - UI The Daily Iowan

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 have passed 328.1 million globally, according to Johns Hopkins University. The number of confirmed deaths has now passed 5.53 million. More than 9.65 billion vaccination doses have been administered globally, according to Our World in Data.

The French parliament has given final approval to the government's latest COVID-19 measures, including a vaccine pass.

Nepal has begun giving COVID-19 vaccine booster shots. It comes as daily confirmed cases jumped by 4,961 on Sunday - the biggest 24-hour increase in more than six months.

The number of COVID-19 patients in Irish hospitals has fallen week-on-week for the first time since the Omicron variant drove cases to record highs.

Australia's daily COVID-19 cases fell below 100,000 on Sunday for the first time in five days.

Thailand has reported its first death from the Omicron COVID-19 variant, a health official announced yesterday.

England has extended its COVID-19 vaccine booster programme to include 16- and 17-year-olds.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has revised its guidance for Americans on wearing masks to protect against COVID-19, recommending using 'the most protective mask you can' while stopping short of advocating nationwide usage of N95 respirators.

Iran has reported its first three deaths from the Omicron COVID-19 variant.

The Philippine health ministry confirmed the local spread of the Omicron COVID-19 variant around Manila on Saturday, as infections hit a record high for a third straight day.

Daily new confirmed COVID-19 cases per million people in selected countries.

Image: Our World in Data

The COVID Response Alliance for Social Entrepreneurship is a coalition of 85 global leaders, hosted by the World Economic Forum. Its mission: Join hands in support of social entrepreneurs everywhere as vital first responders to the pandemic and as pioneers of a green, inclusive economic reality.

Its COVID Social Enterprise Action Agenda, outlines 25 concrete recommendations for key stakeholder groups, including funders and philanthropists, investors, government institutions, support organizations, and corporations. In January of 2021, its members launched its 2021 Roadmap through which its members will roll out an ambitious set of 21 action projects in 10 areas of work. Including corporate access and policy change in support of a social economy.

For more information see the Alliance website or its impact story here.

COVAX, the global vaccine-sharing facility - has delivered 1 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses, one of the organizations which manages it said on Saturday.

Supplies to poorer nations have long been limited because of lack of vaccines, as wealthier states secured most of the doses initially available from December 2020.

But in the last quarter shipments have exponentially increased, allowing COVAX to reach the milestone of 1 billion doses shipped to 144 countries, said Gavi, which co-leads the programme alongside the World Health Organization (WHO).

Despite the recent surge in deliveries, vaccine inequity remains high. The latest WHO data shows 67% of the population in richer nations have been fully vaccinated, compared with only 5% in poorer nations. Over 40% of the world's population has not yet received a first dose.

Gavi is seeking more funds to reach the WHO's goal of vaccinating 70% of the population in poorer nations by July.

Beijing will require travellers to get a COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arrival in the Chinese capital, state media announced on Sunday, a day after the city reported its first Omicron case and as it readies to stage the Winter Olympics next month.

On Saturday, the city reported the first local infection of the highly transmissible Omicron variant, involving a person who had visited multiple malls and restaurants in the previous 14 days. The person had not left the city since the start of this year

The new rule, effective from 22 January to end-March, is aimed to help with early detection of Omicron, which is surging globally, and the control of epidemic risks, Beijing Daily, a government newspaper, said on its official social media account.

Already, the capital city requires inbound travellers to take a COVID-19 test within 48 hours of departure for the city and have a green code on the city's health tracking app.

Written by

Joe Myers, Writer, Formative Content

The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not the World Economic Forum.

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COVID-19: Top news stories about the pandemic on 17 January - World Economic Forum

By Shereen Siewert, Wausau Pilot & Review

Last week, a majority of Supreme Court justices ruled that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has the authority to regulate workplace safety, but not public health. A vaccine/testing requirement, the court ruled, is an issue of public health.

Though the ruling meant that OSHA at this time does not have the authority to require private-sector workers to be vaccinated or undergo testing, Congress could pass legislation to pave the way for that authority. Barring that unlikely scenario, the mandate is no longer in place with significant exceptions.

The court did leave the door open for OSHA to regulate workplaces where COVID-19 represents a direct threat, such as places where people work close to others or where they work around vulnerable people. The court opinion noted, As its name suggests, OSHA is tasked with ensuring occupational safety that is, safe and healthful working conditions.

So who is still covered by federal vaccine mandates? A list compiled by CNET includes:

The ruling comes even while the newest data shows COVID-19 cases spreading, especially among nursing home residents who are unvaccinated or vaccinated but not boosted.

Notably, the courts ruling does not overturn local and state mandates, while employers are still free to require vaccinations with some limitations. In 20 states, proof-of-vaccination requirements are prohibited. Wisconsin is not one of them.

The court also ruled that because tax dollars are involved, the government can require health care providers who receive Medicare and Medicaid funds to require employees to be vaccinated, according to a report by Al Tompkins, of Poynter.

That ruling largely affects nursing homes and long-term care facilities where employee vaccination rates have lagged far behind hospitals, he said. The latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data shows that just over one in four nursing home workers in the country has gotten fully vaccinated with a booster shot. About 80% of nursing home workers have gotten initial vaccine doses.

In the Wausau area, vaccination rates at nursing homes vary widely. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, just 30 percent of healthcare personnel at Pride TLC Therapy and Living Campus in Weston have received a completed COVID-19 vaccination series as of Jan. 2, 2022.

At Rennes Health and Rehab Center in Weston, the staff vaccination rate for the same time period is 63.4%, while at North Central Health Care the rate is 82.84 percent, according to government data. Perform your own search to compare vaccination rates at local facilities here.

Among the key points in the court order, released last week:

Although Congress has indisputably given OSHA the power to regulate occupational dangers, it has not given that agency the power to regulate public health more broadly.

Requiring the vaccination of 84 million Americans, selected simply because they work for employers with more than 100 employees, certainly falls in the latter category.

The Act (Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970) empowers the Secretary to set workplace safety standards, not broad public health measures.

The Acts provisions typically speak to hazards that employees face at work. And no provision of the Act addresses public health more generally, which falls outside of OSHAs sphere of expertise.

Although COVID-19 is a risk that occurs in many workplaces, it is not an occupational hazard in most. COVID-19 can and does spread at home, in schools, during sporting events, and everywhere else that people gather. That kind of universal risk is no different from the day-to-day dangers that all face from crime, air pollution, or any number of communicable diseases. Permitting OSHA to regulate the hazards of daily lifesimply because most Americans have jobs and face those same risks while on the clockwould significantly expand OSHAs regulatory authority without clear congressional authorization.

A vaccine mandate is strikingly unlike the workplace regulations that OSHA has typically imposed. A vaccination, after all, cannot be undone at the end of the workday. Contrary to the dissents contention, imposing a vaccine mandate on 84 million Americans in response to a worldwide pandemic is simply not part of what the agency was built for.

The minority, sharply opposed to the split ruling, had this to say:

When we are wise, we know not to displace the judgments of experts, acting within the sphere Congress marked out and under Presidential control, to deal with emergency conditions. Today, we are not wise. In the face of a still-raging pandemic, this Court tells the agency charged with protecting worker safety that it may not do so in all the workplaces needed. As disease and death continue to mount, this Court tells the agency that it cannot respond in the most effective way possible. Without legal basis, the Court usurps a decision that rightfully belongs to others. It undercuts the capacity of the responsible dissenting federal officials, acting well within the scope of their authority, to protect American workers from grave danger.

Many large employers used the threat of an OSHA mandate as a foundation for their own self-imposed vaccine mandate. Among some of the largest employers that require vaccinations or approved exemptions, according to a list compiled by CNET:

The courts decision to nix the OSHA vaccine or testing requirements for large private employers does not affect the Biden administrations order for federal employees, including members of the military or federal contractors, nor does it forbid employers from imposing their own requirements. The question remains whether they will continue to do so.

The Supreme Courts decision does not prevent local governments from imposing them. Many of the nations tourism hot spots have done just that. Among them:

New Orleans: Anyone 5 or older must have proof of at least one vaccine shot or a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken within the past 72 hours to enter many indoor venues that appeal to tourists. In this city of food, that includes restaurants, bars, hotels and outdoor events of more than 500 people if total attendance is more than 50% of the outdoor venues capacity. Starting Feb. 1, the city will require proof of full vaccination for anyone 5 or older or a negative COVID-19 test taken within the past 72 hours.

New Orleans went into modified Phase 3 this week, which also now requires masks in all indoor spaces outside the home.

Los Angeles: All customers served in the indoor part of a food or beverage establishment and other types of indoor venues must show proof of full vaccination before entry, including restaurants, bars, hotel ballrooms, gyms and fitness venues, movie theatres, sports arenas and museums.

The California Department of Public Health is requiring masks to be worn in all indoor public settings, regardless of vaccine status, until Feb. 15.

Minneapolis: Starting Jan. 19, people will have to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to get into restaurants or events that serve food or drinks. On Jan. 26, the policy also applies to all ticketed events.

New York City: The city has some of the strictest requirements in the country for attending sporting events, theater performances, dining indoors, using a gym or entering a bar.

Children ages 5 to 11 are now required to have proof of vaccination for public indoor activities. They must show they have received at least one dose of a vaccine. Starting Jan. 29, children ages 5 to 11 must also show proof of full vaccination.

People aged 12 and older participating in public indoor activities are now required to show proof they have received two vaccine doses, except for those who have received one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Boston: Starting Saturday, the city requires proof of COVID-19 vaccination for indoor dining, fitness venues, theaters and arenas. Starting March 1, children 5 to 11 must show proof of one dose of vaccine. On May 1, children 5 to 11 must show proof of full vaccination.

Philadelphia: Philadelphia establishments that sell food or drink for consumption onsite will require that everyone who enters has completed their COVID vaccinations. The city is not requiring booster doses. This mandate will not be applied in K-12 and early childcare settings, hospitals, congregate care facilities, special population providers that serve food, residential or healthcare facilities, grocery stores, convenience stores, or other establishments that primarily sell food and drink for offsite use, or in Philadelphia International Airport, except in traditional seated restaurant or seated bar style locations.

Chicago: With the new year, the city began requiring proof of vaccinations for people going to indoor dining, bars, fast food establishments, coffee shops, food courts, dining areas of grocery stores, banquet halls, and hotel ballrooms, indoor gyms and fitness venues, indoor entertainment and recreation venues where food or beverages are served including, but not limited to, movie theaters, music and concert venues, live performance venues, sports arenas and performing arts theaters. Some businesses say they are seeing a drop in customers since the vaccine mandate began.

Washington, D.C.: Starting Saturday, the District begins requiring proof of vaccination at gathering places where people will be required to show proof of at least one dose. Then on Feb. 15, patrons will be required to show proof of two doses.

More than 400 colleges and universities require vaccines for students and staff who teach, learn, work in-person on campus.

Original post:

Who is still covered by COVID-19 vaccine mandates? - wausaupilotandreview.com

The new system is optional and available for people who are interested in obtaining a digital method to prove their COVID vaccination status.

It is your information downloaded onto your phone if you choose to do so, Governor Charlie Baker said during a press conference on Monday. I think its a far more customer-friendly and effective way to make this tool available to people who want to use it.

The new website verifies a persons name, phone number, and e-mail address against the vaccination records in the states public health database and generates a QR code that residents can use when needed.

Here are answers to some questions you may have about how the new system works.

How can I get my QR code?

What does the record include?

The vaccine record documents your COVID-19 vaccine regimen, including your initial series as well as a booster dose, if you have received one. It also includes records of other immunizations youve received in the state.

Much of the information will look familiar, since it should also appear on your CDC-issued paper vaccine card. That includes which vaccine you received whether it was Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson the date you received it, the location you received it, and the lot number of the vaccine.

How can I store my QR code?

People can take a screenshot of their QR code to store it on their phone and they can download it and save it as a photo. Once they have downloaded it from the states website, people can also print it and carry it with them.

iPhone users are also able to save it as a code in their Apple Wallet, for which the state has provided instructions.

Apple or Android users can also download an app called Common Health, which was made by the Commons Project, a nonprofit group that helped design the Massachusetts system. A copy of a persons vaccine record can be stored in the Common Health app.

Those who were vaccinated at major retailers like CVS, Walgreens, or Walmart and have already used apps to digitally display their vaccination status will also be able to use the states new system.

I got vaccinated against COVID-19 in another state. Will the website display my records?

Since the states records only include what is reported to the Massachusetts Immunization Information System, it wont include vaccinations received in other states or countries.

The state notes that you can request that your Massachusetts-based health care provider add the vaccines you received out of state to the MIIS as a historical vaccine.

If I get an additional COVID-19 dose, will my record automatically update?

If you have downloaded your vaccine record and later get another COVID-19 dose, like a booster shot, the record will not automatically update, according to the state.

Users will be asked to go through the process again to get a new QR code that will display a persons full regimen.

What if theres an error with my vaccine record?

The states website notes that the date on your vaccine records page shows what your provider has reported to [Massachusetts Immunization Information System].

If it looks like theres an error on their vaccine card or something is missing, the state encourages people to contact their vaccine provider and request that they correct their vaccine record.

They can also contact the MIIS, which has created a form for people to request an official update to their records. The state will notify people who use the form of what they found within two to three weeks.

If you have more questions about the vaccine record, you can reach out to the state by dialing 211 or emailing MyVaxRecords@mass.gov.

Hiawatha Bray of the Globe Staff contributed to this report.

Amanda Kaufman can be reached at amanda.kaufman@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @amandakauf1.

More:

Heres how to get a QR code to prove your COVID-19 vaccine status through the states new website - The Boston Globe

Together with our partners, COVAX is leading the largest vaccine procurement and supply operation in history, with deliveries to 144 countries to date.

But the work that has gone into this milestone is only a reminder of the work that remains.

As of 13 January 2022, out of 194 Member States, 36 WHO Member States have vaccinated less than 10% of their population, and 88 less than 40%.

COVAXs ambition was compromised by hoarding/stockpiling in rich countries, catastrophic outbreaks leading to borders and supply being locked. And a lack of sharing of licenses, technology and know how by pharmaceutical companies meant manufacturing capacity went unused.

COVAX is working with governments, manufacturers and partners to ensure that when countries receive vaccines they can get them to people quickly.

With updated vaccines in the pipeline, now is the moment for all citizens to demand that governments & pharmaceutical companies share health tools globally & bring an end to the death & destruction cycles of this pandemic, limit new variants and drive a global economic recovery.

More here:

COVAX delivers its 1 billionth COVID-19 vaccine dose - World Health Organization

Less than half of Wasco's residents are fully vaccinated, according to organizers of the Wasco Vaccine Clinic that will take place Sunday.

The number one priority is for us to tackle those vaccination numbers, Wasco city councilmember, Alex Garcia told 23ABC. Wasco is really hovering and falling behind on that county and state average. We want to catch up and do what we can to provide those resources close to where these residents live.

Hosted by the United Against COVID-19 (a coalition of local organizations such as All of Us or None, Building Healthy Communities Kern, Dolores Huerta Foundation, Lideres Campesinas, South Kern Sol, Unidad Popular Benito Juarez, and Vision y Compromiso) and in partnership with the City of Wasco, this clinic at the Old Court House in Wasco has many pandemic-related resources: free COVID-19 testing, vaccines, boosters, and even N-95 masks. All vaccine options are available: Pfizer, Moderna, J&J, and the booster, according to Garcia. Cap-K has even donated over 200 food boxes for those in need. Rental and utility assistance will be provided as well, according to Garcia.

23ABC Team

Its the same issues rural communities face all over: access to these resources, Garcia said. Wasco is thirty minutes from Bakersfield, the city center of Kern, so we really wanted to provide these resources right here, right up the street from their homes so that they dont have to have those obstacles of getting access to these resources."

No appointment is needed or proof of insurance. If youre trying to get a second dose of your vaccine, or the booster, bring your vaccine card with you. The clinic will be held this Sunday from 12:00-5:00 p.m. at the following address:

810 8th StreetWasco, CA 93280

Link:

Less than half of Wasco's residents are fully vaccinated. This vaccine clinic aims to change that - KERO 23ABC News