Moderna variant vaccine begins trials; MLB opening day

The U.S. has vaccinated greater than 30% of its inhabitants in opposition to COVID-19, with greater than 101.8 million Americans receiving at the least one dose of the vaccine, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention vaccine tracker. More than 17% of the overall inhabitants has been absolutely vaccinated, as have greater than 53% of these 65 and older.

Meanwhile, Johnson & Johnson has begun vaccinating members between 12 and 17 years outdated in its ongoing medical trial for its COVID-19 vaccine, in keeping with an organization assertion Friday.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on adolescents, not just with the complications of the disease, but with their education mental health, and wellbeing,” mentioned Dr. Paul Stoffels, chief scientific officer at Johnson & Johnson. “It is vital that we develop vaccines for everyone, everywhere, to help combat the spread of the virus with the goal to return to everyday life.”

The information follows the release of a Pfizer study that discovered its COVID-19 vaccine with German accomplice BioNTech was confirmed secure and efficient for youths ages 12 to fifteen. The firm additionally introduced starting trials in youngsters beneath 12 years outdated. 

In a separate firm examine, researchers discovered volunteers remained greater than 90% protected in opposition to symptomatic COVID-19 and even higher protected in opposition to extreme illness six months after getting a second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. It additionally protects in opposition to the P.1 variant, first recognized in Brazil. 

Also within the information:

►Colorado will now not require masks to be worn in most settings within the 31 counties which can be on the bottom degree of the state’s COVID-19 dial system, Gov. Jared Polis’ workplace introduced Friday.

►The coronavirus variant found in California triggered a much less efficient immune response from the vaccine, a study published Thursday mentioned. 

►Michigan, the place COVID-19 is surging greater than in any state, on Thursday reported its first confirmed case of a coronavirus variant that was initially recognized in Brazil.

►Nevada lawmakers are contemplating sending mail-in ballots to all energetic voters in future elections after passing a legislation final summer season that directed election officers to take action to forestall the coronavirus from spreading at polling locations.

►British regulators recognized 30 blood clot occasions from individuals who obtained the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, which is 25 extra instances than beforehand reported on March 18, according to a statement from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency on Thursday.

📈 Today’s numbers: The U.S. has greater than 30.6 million confirmed coronavirus instances and 553,900 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University data. The international totals: 129.9 million instances and a couple of.83 million deaths. More than 200.49 million vaccine doses have been distributed within the U.S. and 153.63 million have been administered, according to the CDC. 

📘 What we’re studying: What can I do if I’m vaccinated in opposition to COVID-19, however my baby is not? Here are activities health experts say are safe.

USA TODAY is monitoring COVID-19 information. Keep refreshing this web page for the newest updates. Want extra? Sign up for our Coronavirus Watch newsletter for updates to your inbox and join our Facebook group.

CDC broadcasts subsequent steps to getting cruise ships again in US waters

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday issued the subsequent section of its Framework for Conditional Sailing Order, the steering that may result in getting cruise ships crusing once more in U.S. waters. 

The preliminary conditional crusing order got here out in late October, and cruise operators have since been ready for additional steering. In an announcement late Friday, the CDC mentioned the second phase of the order will include trial voyages to apply new COVID-19 operational procedures with volunteers earlier than crusing with paying passengers. 

The CDC replace, described in a information launch as “technical guidance,” additionally consists of a requirement to extend cruise COVID-19 reporting frequency to every day. There was no readability within the steering, nevertheless, about when cruise ships can begin crusing once more in U.S. waters. 

– Morgan Hines, Jayme Deerwester and Julia Thompson, USA TODAY

California to permit indoor gatherings starting April 15

California will enable indoor live shows, theater performances and different non-public gatherings beginning April 15. 

The California Department of Public Health introduced the adjustments Friday as the speed of individuals testing optimistic for the virus nears a document low. It’s a pointy turnaround from the gradual tempo California has taken on lifting restrictions, and comes as Gov. Gavin Newsom urges continued vigilance about carrying masks and sustaining social distancing. 

To attend, folks must both be examined or present proof of full vaccination. How many individuals can attend gatherings will rely upon the extent of restrictions in place at every county. California divides counties into 4 tiers based mostly on how widespread the virus is in these locations. 

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis indicators order banning ‘vaccine passports’

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an government order Friday, successfully instantly, that bans companies from requiring prospects to indicate proof they’ve been vaccinated in opposition to COVID-19 with a view to get service.

The Republican governor had beforehand introduced his intent to problem an order banning so-called “vaccine passports.” His motion additionally barred any authorities company in Florida from issuing such documentation for the aim of offering proof of vaccinations.

In his government order, DeSantis asserts that “vaccination passports reduce individual freedom and will harm patient privacy.”

CDC says absolutely vaccinated Americans can resume journey 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mentioned Americans who’re absolutely vaccinated in opposition to COVID-19 can resume journey at low danger to themselves, however the company continues to be not recommending journey given rising case counts.

CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, who earlier this week issued an urgent plea to limit travel on account of fears of another COVID surge, mentioned Friday the brand new steering is predicated on research exhibiting the “real-world” effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines.

Vaccinated vacationers now not need to comply with the CDC’s suggestions to get a COVID-19 take a look at earlier than and after journey except required by the vacation spot. They nonetheless want to wear masks and take different precautions.

For worldwide journey, vaccinated passengers nonetheless should abide by a CDC order, issued in January, requiring a negative COVID test to board flights to the United States, and may get one other take a look at three to 5 days after arriving.

Despite the new guidance, Walensky said during a White House briefing that the CDC is not reversing its advice to avoid nonessential travel during the pandemic, vaccinated or unvaccinated

Asked how that squares with the announcement that vaccinated Americans can safely travel, she said: “Our steering is silent on recommending or not recommending absolutely vaccinated folks journey,” she mentioned. “Our guidance speaks to the safety of doing so. If you are vaccinated, it is lower risk.”

– Dawn Gilbertson

FDA permits changes to Moderna’s vaccine, allowing for more doses per vial

Moderna can put 50% more vaccine dosage in each vial, the Food and Drug Administration said Thursday.

The company has been manufacturing 10 dose vials, but the FDA’s decision allows the company to put up to 15 doses in each vial, a move that allows Moderna to speed up shipments and get more shots in arms. 

The FDA is also allowing 11 doses to be extracted out of current 10 dose vials.

“Both of these revisions positively impact the supply of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, which will help provide more vaccine doses to communities and allow shots to get into arms more quickly. Ultimately, more vaccines getting to the public in a timely manner should help bring an end to the pandemic more rapidly,” said Peter Marks, M.D., Ph.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. 

Florida’s pop-up COVID vaccine clinics raise ethical concerns

When Florida threw open the door for seniors to get COVID-19 vaccines, hundreds camped out overnight, some bundled up in lawn chairs in the January cold to score a shot.

Thousands more waited in digital lines for their number to come up in county-run vaccine pools. But for some lucky Floridians, getting a vaccine was as easy as hopping in their golf carts and rolling down to the clubhouse. 

A USA TODAY Network analysis of state and local government records, news reports and information from private developers found at least 150 communities that landed vaccine pop-ups or priority access to doses. Data provided by the state is incomplete so there likely are many more. Read the full story. 

– Zac Anderson and Josh Salman, Sarasota Herald-Tribune

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