In the News

When Covid-19 vaccines were reported last fall to be roughly 95% effective at preventing symptomatic Covid-19 infections, the world rejoiced — and even veteran scientists were blown away. Very few vaccines are that protective. Now, however, our soaring expectations for Covid-19 vaccines are in the process of sinking back to earth.

The delta variant has led to an increase in coronavirus cases in the United States. Here's when experts say fully vaccinated people should get tested.

An array of activists, scientists and politicians said Wednesday that the Biden administration’s inconclusive report on the origins of the coronavirus pandemic demonstrates the need for further probes, even if that leads the United States into delicate geopolitical territory.

As COVID-19 vaccination numbers slowly rise amid the spread of the delta variant of the virus, breakthrough cases of those who were previously vaccinated have continued, resulting in some hesitant to get vaccinated to further doubt the vaccines.

The Food and Drug Administration has given full approval to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine on Monday. This could help convince people who may have resisted the vaccine and lead to more mandates.

Is school safe? Soccer? Birthday parties? Doctors suggest some principles to guide decision-making for parents with unvaccinated children.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s full approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for those 16 and older, announced Monday, is expected to pave the way for more vaccine mandates, including for teachers. But there are still many logistics to work out, including what happens to the teachers who refuse to get a shot.

Even before Americans learned of the Provincetown outbreak, nearly two-thirds said that they were worried about the rise of Delta.

Health officials still are collecting the data needed to decide.

Health departments are battling not only rising COVID-19 caseloads but restrictions, complaints and second-guessing from politicians and the public.

Scientists are raising serious questions about the wisdom of the push for Covid-19 boosters unveiled on Wednesday by President Joe Biden. It’ll be hard to judge whether extra shots for the vaccinated will be helpful or counterproductive until more of the data behind the decision become available.

Tensions are high right now. As the delta variant spreads like wildfire across the U.S., vaccination rates are still low in many places and parents and school staff are anxiously wondering what will happen as schools start up again. Should there be more mask mandates? Will businesses have to close again? Will big gatherings be banned?