Coronavirus tally: Global cases of COVID-19 top 205.4 million as FDA authorizes vaccine booster for those with weak immune systems – MarketWatch

The global tally for the coronavirus-borne illness headed above 205.4 million on Friday, while the death toll climbed above 4.33 million according to data aggregated by Johns Hopkins University. The U.S. leads the world with a total of 36.3 million cases and in deaths with 619,093 as the highly infectious delta variant continues to spread fast, especially in states with low vaccination rates. As expected, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration late Thursday authorized a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for those with weakened immune systems in its first regulatory nod for a booster shot in the U.S. "The country has entered yet another wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the FDA is especially cognizant that immunocompromised people are particularly at risk for severe disease," acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock said in a statement. "After a thorough review of the available data, the FDA determined that this small, vulnerable group may benefit from a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech PFE, +2.22% BNTX, -0.57% or Moderna MRNA, -0.19% vaccines." The FDA's announcement was made ahead of the CDC advisory committee's meeting, which is scheduled for Friday. The committee is expected to decide whether the CDC should recommend an extra shot for people who are immunocompromised.India is second by cases at 32.1 million and third by deaths at 430,254 according to its official numbers, which are expected to be undercounted.Brazil is second in deaths at 566,896, but is third in cases at 20.3 million. Mexico has fourth-highest death toll at 246,811 but has recorded just 3.0 million cases, according to its official numbers. In Europe, Russia continues to pull ahead of the U.K. by deaths at 165,996, while the U.K. has 1301,016, making Russia the country with the fifth-highest death toll in the world and highest in Europe.

Read more:

Coronavirus tally: Global cases of COVID-19 top 205.4 million as FDA authorizes vaccine booster for those with weak immune systems - MarketWatch