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US recommends Pfizer and Moderna Covid vaccine boosters – live US recommends Pfizer and Moderna Covid vaccine boosters – live
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Officials recommend booster eight months after receiving second shot while research continues on boosters for Johnson & Johnson vaccineOfficials recommend booster eight months after receiving second shot while research continues on boosters for Johnson & Johnson vaccine
The US Embassy in Kabul has released a security alert informing Americans still in Afghanistan that it “cannot ensure safe passage to the Hamid Karzai International Airport”.
“U.S. government-provided flights are departing. U.S. citizens, LPRs, and their spouses and unmarried children (under age 21) should consider travelling to Hamid Karzai International Airport,” the embassy said in the alert.
“Please be advised that a significant number of individuals have registered and space on these flights is available on a first come, first serve basis. You may be required to wait at the airport for a significant amount of time until space is available.”
The embassy’s update comes amid reports that people have been beaten at Taliban checkpoints near the airport, preventing them from boarding departing flights.
National security adviser Jake Sullivan acknowledged those reports yesterday, saying at the White House briefing, “There have been instances where we have received reports of people being turned away or pushed back or even beaten.
“We are taking that up in a channel with the Taliban to try to resolve those issues. And we are concerned about whether that will continue to unfold in the coming days.”
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris received a briefing this morning from their national security team on the situation in Afghanistan, the White House said.
“They were briefed on intelligence, security and diplomatic updates. They discussed efforts to accelerate evacuations of U.S. citizens, SIV applicants, and other vulnerable Afghans, and to facilitate safe passage to Hamid Karzai International Airport,” the White House told the press pool.
“The President, Vice President, and their team also discussed their focus on monitoring for any potential terrorist threats in Afghanistan, including from ISIS-K.”
Among those conducting the briefing were defense secretary Lloyd Austin, secretary of state Antony Blinken and the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, General Mark Milley.
A CNN reporter spotted Milley at the White House earlier today:
Joe Biden will host Israel’s new prime minister Naftali Bennett in Washington on August 26, the White House has just announced.Joe Biden will host Israel’s new prime minister Naftali Bennett in Washington on August 26, the White House has just announced.
A statement put out by White House press sec Jen Psaki touched on what the two will talk about.A statement put out by White House press sec Jen Psaki touched on what the two will talk about.
They “will discuss critical issues related to regional and global security, including Iran.They “will discuss critical issues related to regional and global security, including Iran.
“The visit will also be an opportunity for the two leaders to discuss efforts to advance peace, security, and prosperity for Israelis and Palestinians and the importance of working towards a more peaceful and secure future for the region.”“The visit will also be an opportunity for the two leaders to discuss efforts to advance peace, security, and prosperity for Israelis and Palestinians and the importance of working towards a more peaceful and secure future for the region.”
Bennett became prime minister in June after Israel’s longest-serving leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, was ousted from office by a loose coalition of rivals from across the political spectrum, united by their wish to end his 12-year run in power, my colleague Oliver Holmes wrote from Jerusalem at the time.Bennett became prime minister in June after Israel’s longest-serving leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, was ousted from office by a loose coalition of rivals from across the political spectrum, united by their wish to end his 12-year run in power, my colleague Oliver Holmes wrote from Jerusalem at the time.
The opposition leader, Yair Lapid, a centrist former TV news anchor, won a confidence vote in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, by a razor-thin advantage of 60-59 seats on Sunday evening.The opposition leader, Yair Lapid, a centrist former TV news anchor, won a confidence vote in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, by a razor-thin advantage of 60-59 seats on Sunday evening.
Lapid did not initially become prime minister. Instead, under a power-sharing agreement, his former foe and far-right advocate for the settler movement in the Palestinian territories, Naftali Bennett, was sworn in as the country’s leader.Lapid did not initially become prime minister. Instead, under a power-sharing agreement, his former foe and far-right advocate for the settler movement in the Palestinian territories, Naftali Bennett, was sworn in as the country’s leader.
Bennett, who has ruled out a Palestinian state and wants Israel to maintain ultimate control over all the lands it occupies, will be prime minister for the first two years of a four-year term before handing over to Lapid.Bennett, who has ruled out a Palestinian state and wants Israel to maintain ultimate control over all the lands it occupies, will be prime minister for the first two years of a four-year term before handing over to Lapid.
Ahead of the Knesset vote, Bennett attempted to give a conciliatory speech, even as Netanyahu’s allies heckled him from their seats. The 49-year-old prime minister-designate thanked the outgoing leader for his “lengthy and achievement filled service”.Ahead of the Knesset vote, Bennett attempted to give a conciliatory speech, even as Netanyahu’s allies heckled him from their seats. The 49-year-old prime minister-designate thanked the outgoing leader for his “lengthy and achievement filled service”.
Psaki’s press release did not mention Afghanistan as a topic of planned conversation. It said: “Prime Minister Bennett’s visit will strengthen the enduring partnership between the United States and Israel, reflect the deep ties between our governments and our people, and underscore the United States’ unwavering commitment to Israel’s security.”Psaki’s press release did not mention Afghanistan as a topic of planned conversation. It said: “Prime Minister Bennett’s visit will strengthen the enduring partnership between the United States and Israel, reflect the deep ties between our governments and our people, and underscore the United States’ unwavering commitment to Israel’s security.”
Biden sent the invitation to Bennett last month and aides for each leader have been meeting, virtually and recently in person. Local Israeli media had noted that Bennett might not be able to make it to the White House until September, and then could stay on to address the annual General Assembly of the United Nations in New York that month.Biden sent the invitation to Bennett last month and aides for each leader have been meeting, virtually and recently in person. Local Israeli media had noted that Bennett might not be able to make it to the White House until September, and then could stay on to address the annual General Assembly of the United Nations in New York that month.
But clearly he has found a spot in his calendar and the trip is on for this month.But clearly he has found a spot in his calendar and the trip is on for this month.
Students in Florida’s Broward County went back to school under a mask mandate today, even as their school board faced threats of severe penalties for defying Republican governor Ron DeSantis.Students in Florida’s Broward County went back to school under a mask mandate today, even as their school board faced threats of severe penalties for defying Republican governor Ron DeSantis.
Reuters further repots:Reuters further repots:
Here’s where the day stands so far:Here’s where the day stands so far:
US health officials recommended offering booster shots to all Americans who received the Pfizer or Moderna coronavirus vaccine. The US expects to offer booster shots starting the week of September 20, and health officials urged Americans to get their third dose eight months after receiving their second shot. Research on booster shots for those who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine remains ongoing.US health officials recommended offering booster shots to all Americans who received the Pfizer or Moderna coronavirus vaccine. The US expects to offer booster shots starting the week of September 20, and health officials urged Americans to get their third dose eight months after receiving their second shot. Research on booster shots for those who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine remains ongoing.
The World Health Organization criticized the US plan to distribute booster shots, given the lack of available vaccines in many low-income countries. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “Vaccine injustice is a shame on all humanity, and if we don’t tackle it together, we will prolong the acute stage of this pandemic for years when it could be over in a matter of months.”The World Health Organization criticized the US plan to distribute booster shots, given the lack of available vaccines in many low-income countries. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “Vaccine injustice is a shame on all humanity, and if we don’t tackle it together, we will prolong the acute stage of this pandemic for years when it could be over in a matter of months.”
Joe Biden is scheduled to deliver remarks on his administration’s vaccination strategy this afternoon. Biden will receive a briefing from members of the White House pandemic response team and then deliver his speech, which will likely focus on the announcement about booster shots.Joe Biden is scheduled to deliver remarks on his administration’s vaccination strategy this afternoon. Biden will receive a briefing from members of the White House pandemic response team and then deliver his speech, which will likely focus on the announcement about booster shots.
The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
The ONE Campaign, which is dedicated to ending extreme poverty and preventable disease in the world, warned that the US plan to administer coronavirus vaccine boosters “threatens to widen the gap between the haves and the have-nots”.The ONE Campaign, which is dedicated to ending extreme poverty and preventable disease in the world, warned that the US plan to administer coronavirus vaccine boosters “threatens to widen the gap between the haves and the have-nots”.
“It’s outrageous that a healthy, vaccinated individual will be able to get a third shot before the elderly and health workers in low-income countries can get a single dose,” Sarah Swinehart, the senior director of communications for ONE’s North America operation, said in a statement.“It’s outrageous that a healthy, vaccinated individual will be able to get a third shot before the elderly and health workers in low-income countries can get a single dose,” Sarah Swinehart, the senior director of communications for ONE’s North America operation, said in a statement.
The group noted that just 1.3% of people in low-income countries have received at least one coronavirus vaccine dose, according to data.The group noted that just 1.3% of people in low-income countries have received at least one coronavirus vaccine dose, according to data.
“While we understand the Biden administration’s goal to further protect Americans, today’s decision will further exacerbate global vaccine inequities and prolong the pandemic at home and abroad,” Swinehart said.“While we understand the Biden administration’s goal to further protect Americans, today’s decision will further exacerbate global vaccine inequities and prolong the pandemic at home and abroad,” Swinehart said.
“In order to save lives, reduce the emergence of variants, and stop the spread of COVID-19, the US and wealthy countries must share more doses immediately.”“In order to save lives, reduce the emergence of variants, and stop the spread of COVID-19, the US and wealthy countries must share more doses immediately.”
Global health authorities have harshly criticized an American plan to provide Pfizer and Moderna coronavirus vaccine booster shots to people eight months after their second dose.Global health authorities have harshly criticized an American plan to provide Pfizer and Moderna coronavirus vaccine booster shots to people eight months after their second dose.
In a briefing, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he called for a “temporary moratorium” on booster shots globally as low-income countries have vaccinated “barely 2%” of their populations. Just 10 countries have administered 75% of all vaccines, Ghebreyesus said.In a briefing, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he called for a “temporary moratorium” on booster shots globally as low-income countries have vaccinated “barely 2%” of their populations. Just 10 countries have administered 75% of all vaccines, Ghebreyesus said.
“Vaccine injustice is a shame on all humanity and if we don’t tackle it together, we will prolong the acute stage of this pandemic for years when it could be over in a matter of months,” Ghebreyesus said in remarks.“Vaccine injustice is a shame on all humanity and if we don’t tackle it together, we will prolong the acute stage of this pandemic for years when it could be over in a matter of months,” Ghebreyesus said in remarks.
However, Biden administration officials said they remained committed to protecting Americans and donating vaccines globally.However, Biden administration officials said they remained committed to protecting Americans and donating vaccines globally.
“I do not accept the idea we have to choose between America and the world,” said Dr Vivek Murthy, US Surgeon General.“I do not accept the idea we have to choose between America and the world,” said Dr Vivek Murthy, US Surgeon General.
White House Coronavirus task force coordinator Jeff Zients said the US has, “more vaccine doses donated than all the other countries in the world combined”.White House Coronavirus task force coordinator Jeff Zients said the US has, “more vaccine doses donated than all the other countries in the world combined”.
“Our war-time effort will continue doing everything we can to get more people vaccinated, both here at home and around the world,” said Zients.“Our war-time effort will continue doing everything we can to get more people vaccinated, both here at home and around the world,” said Zients.
“We can and must do both at the same time, because that’s what it’s going to take to end this pandemic, and we will not stop until we get the job done.”“We can and must do both at the same time, because that’s what it’s going to take to end this pandemic, and we will not stop until we get the job done.”
Members of the White House pandemic response team emphasized that they are not recommending average Americans get a vaccine booster shot today.Members of the White House pandemic response team emphasized that they are not recommending average Americans get a vaccine booster shot today.
Booster shots will be made available to all Americans who received the Moderna or Pfizer coronavirus vaccine starting the week of September 20, and health officials are recommending getting a booster eight months after a second dose.Booster shots will be made available to all Americans who received the Moderna or Pfizer coronavirus vaccine starting the week of September 20, and health officials are recommending getting a booster eight months after a second dose.
That strategy will allow for vulnerable populations who were among the first to be vaccinated, including healthcare workers and elderly Americans, to get their booster shots starting next month.That strategy will allow for vulnerable populations who were among the first to be vaccinated, including healthcare workers and elderly Americans, to get their booster shots starting next month.
For younger Americans who were vaccinated later in the year, they may not get their booster shots until late 2021 or early 2022.For younger Americans who were vaccinated later in the year, they may not get their booster shots until late 2021 or early 2022.
A reporter asked the White House pandemic response team to respond to criticism over offering booster shots to Americans while many countries still do not have enough first doses for their citizens.A reporter asked the White House pandemic response team to respond to criticism over offering booster shots to Americans while many countries still do not have enough first doses for their citizens.
Pandemic response coordinator Jeff Zients said the US was committed to both protecting Americans against coronavirus and distributing vaccines to countries around the world.Pandemic response coordinator Jeff Zients said the US was committed to both protecting Americans against coronavirus and distributing vaccines to countries around the world.
Zients said he expects the US to administer about 100 million vaccine booster shots in the coming months, while simultaneously distributing more than 200 million vaccine doses to other countries.Zients said he expects the US to administer about 100 million vaccine booster shots in the coming months, while simultaneously distributing more than 200 million vaccine doses to other countries.
Dr Vivek Murthy, the US surgeon general, added, “I do not accept the idea that we have to choose between America and the world. We clearly see our responsibility to both.”Dr Vivek Murthy, the US surgeon general, added, “I do not accept the idea that we have to choose between America and the world. We clearly see our responsibility to both.”
The White House pandemic response coordinator, Jeff Zients, said the coronavirus vaccine booster shots will be free for all Americans.The White House pandemic response coordinator, Jeff Zients, said the coronavirus vaccine booster shots will be free for all Americans.
“It will be just as easy and convenient to get a booster shot as it is to get a first shot today,” Zients said.“It will be just as easy and convenient to get a booster shot as it is to get a first shot today,” Zients said.
Zients noted that the US has enough vaccine supply for all Americans, and the booster shots will be available at roughly 80,000 locations across the country.Zients noted that the US has enough vaccine supply for all Americans, and the booster shots will be available at roughly 80,000 locations across the country.
“Boosters will be free, regardless of immigration or health insurance status. No ID or insurance required,” Zients said.“Boosters will be free, regardless of immigration or health insurance status. No ID or insurance required,” Zients said.
Dr Anthony Fauci, the president’s chief medical adviser, laid out the data that led health officials to recommend booster shots for all Americans who received the Pfizer and Moderna coronavirus vaccines.Dr Anthony Fauci, the president’s chief medical adviser, laid out the data that led health officials to recommend booster shots for all Americans who received the Pfizer and Moderna coronavirus vaccines.
Fauci said data indicates that the antibodies provided by the vaccines decline over time, and higher levels of antibodies may be required to protect against the more highly transmissible Delta variant, which is spreading across the US.Fauci said data indicates that the antibodies provided by the vaccines decline over time, and higher levels of antibodies may be required to protect against the more highly transmissible Delta variant, which is spreading across the US.
Booster shots can help to increase antibody levels, thus providing more effective protection against the Delta variant, which is why health officials are encouraging Americans to get a third dose eight months after their second shot.Booster shots can help to increase antibody levels, thus providing more effective protection against the Delta variant, which is why health officials are encouraging Americans to get a third dose eight months after their second shot.
Dr Vivek Murthy, the US surgeon general, said that coronavirus vaccine booster shots will initially be made available to the vulnerable populations who received their first doses early this year.
That population includes healthcare providers, nursing home residents and other seniors, as well as residents of long-term care facilities, all of whom were among the first groups to be eligible to get vaccinated.
Murthy, who was one of the senior health officials who signed the official recommendation for booster shots, noted that third doses of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines will be recommended for those 18 and older starting the week of September 20.
That distinction is noteworthy, considering all Americans 12 or older are currently eligible to get their first vaccine doses.
The White House pandemic response team is now holding a briefing, shortly after senior health officials recommended Pfizer and Moderna vaccine boosters for all Americans.
Even with the announcement on boosters, the pandemic response team coordinator, Jeff Zients, said the Biden administration remains devoted to convincing more Americans to get their first vaccine dose.
“This remains a pandemic of the unvaccinated,” Zients said.
Zients noted that vaccinations have been on the rise in recent weeks, as the highly transmissible Delta variant continues to spread across the country.
Nearly 7 million Americans have gotten their first doses in the past two weeks, marking the highest rate of first doses administered since June, Zients said.
The health officials noted in their statement that the booster shot recommendation is pending the Food and Drug Administration’s evaluation of the safety of receiving third doses of the Pfizer and Moderna coronavirus vaccines.
The officials said they expected boosters to be recommended for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine as well, but more research needs to be done before making a determination on that.
“Administration of the J&J vaccine did not begin in the U.S. until March 2021, and we expect more data on J&J in the next few weeks. With those data in hand, we will keep the public informed with a timely plan for J&J booster shots as well,” the officials’ statement said.
The Biden administration is officially recommending coronavirus vaccine booster shots be offered to all Americans, due to concerns about the decreased efficacy of vaccines over time.
The recommendation was announced in a statement signed by several senior health officials, including the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr Rochelle Walensky, and the president’s chief medical adviser, Dr Anthony Fauci.
“Based on our latest assessment, the current protection against severe disease, hospitalization, and death could diminish in the months ahead, especially among those who are at higher risk or were vaccinated during the earlier phases of the vaccination rollout,” the statement said.
“For that reason, we conclude that a booster shot will be needed to maximize vaccine-induced protection and prolong its durability.”
The administration is recommending all Americans who got the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine receive a third booster dose about eight months after getting their second dose. Research on booster shots for those who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine remains ongoing.
Booster shots are expected to be made available to all Americans starting the week of September 20.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani is now in the United Arab Emirates, after fleeing the country as Taliban forces approached Kabul.
WAM news, a state-run media outlet, posted a statement on its website saying, “The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation can confirm that the UAE has welcomed President Ashraf Ghani and his family into the country on humanitarian grounds.”
It had been unclear where Ghani had fled to after leaving Afghanistan, and reports had suggested he might be anywhere from Saudi Arabia to Oman.
Asked yesterday about Joe Biden’s relationship with Ghani, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said, “I’m not going to characterize anything about President Ghani at this point, who is no longer a factor in Afghanistan. And I don’t think there’s much merit in me weighing in more deeply on him.”
The first vice-president of Afghanistan, Amrullah Saleh, has declared himself the country’s “caretaker president” in Ghani’s absence, even as the Taliban moves to form a new government.
Salomé Gómez-Upegui reports on Florida parents’ outrage over the ban on school mask mandates:
In Pinellas county, Florida, Maggie, a mother of three, is sending her kids to school every day with two or three extra masks even if, in her fourth grader’s class, only a third of the children are wearing them. Just two days into the new school year, she received a call from school officials saying there were already five known cases of students with Covid-19.
“Based on my kids’ school, and the number of parents that have chosen to not mask their kids, it looks like we’re in the minority,” said Maggie, who asked to be identified by just her first name. “I think the voices who are very anti-mask are very loud.”
Despite recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stating that K-12 students should wear masks for in-person learning, Florida’s governor, Ron DeSantis, a Republican, signed an executive order on 30 July that bars school districts from putting mask mandates in place, even though children under 12 cannot yet receive a vaccine.
This has left some Florida parents making difficult individual decisions to have their children wear masks, often going up against the political and social norms of their schools and communities.
Texas governor Greg Abbott, who tested positive for coronavirus yesterday, has reportedly told people that he received a third coronavirus vaccine dose.
NBC News reports:
If Abbott did receive a booster shot, his coronavirus case raises interesting questions about the possibility of breakthrough infections after getting a third vaccine dose, although breakthrough cases remain uncommon even without a booster.
Alexandra Villarreal reports from Austin:
In case you somehow missed it yesterday: Texas governor Greg Abbott tested positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday, after weeks spent banning local mask requirements and meeting maskless crowds.
Abbott, a Republican, is fully vaccinated against the virus and is not experiencing symptoms, his office said in a statement. He is taking a monoclonal antibody treatment and isolating in the governor’s mansion.
Spokesperson Mark Miner said: “Governor Abbott is in constant communication with his staff, agency heads and government officials to ensure that state government continues to operate smoothly and efficiently.”
Texas has once again emerged as a hotspot for the coronavirus, with only 314 available intensive care unit beds statewide. Pediatric ICUs are running out of space while children head back to class.
Abbott has restricted cities, counties, school districts and public health authorities from requiring masks or Covid-19 vaccines. And when officials in Texas’s major cities defied his order, the state supreme court barred their local mask mandates – at least temporarily.
The Biden administration reportedly decided to recommend coronavirus vaccine boosters after viewing worrisome data about the declining efficacy of vaccines over time.
Politico reports:
Joe Biden addressed the potential need for booster shots late last month, in a speech on his administration’s latest efforts to get more Americans vaccinated.
“No American needs a booster now,” Biden said at the time. “But if the science tells us there’s a need for boosters, then that’s something we’ll do. And we have purchased the supply -- all the supply we need to be ready if that was called for.”
Greetings from Washington, live blog readers.
Joe Biden will receive a briefing from the White House coronavirus response team, and the president will then deliver a speech on his administration’s vaccination strategy.
Biden is expected to address the likely approval of coronavirus vaccine boosters for Americans, as the country’s case numbers continue to climb due to the spread of the Delta variant.
According to the AP, US health authorities are expected to soon recommend receiving an extra dose of the vaccine eight months after getting the second shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. (Research is ongoing about boosters for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.)
Biden’s speech comes less than a week after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officially recommended booster doses for some immunocompromised people, who represent about 3% of the US population.
But with the White House still struggling to convince some Americans to get their first vaccine dose, it could be quite difficult to launch a new messaging campaign urging people to get a third shot.
The blog will have more details on the speech coming up, so stay tuned.