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Fauci to Adolescents on the Fence About the COVID-19 Vaccine: ‘Be Part of the Solution’

CNN reported:

Dr. Anthony Fauci said he hopes children and teens won’t hesitate when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorizes a coronavirus vaccine for them.

A federal government official told CNN on Monday that the FDA is poised to authorize Pfizer/BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine in children and teens 12 to 15 years old by early next week, and administration of the vaccine to them could start almost immediately, said Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

“You have the capability of protecting yourself as a young person, 12 to 15, but also knowing that you’re not going to pass it on to someone else,” Fauci told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer on Tuesday.

Canada Confirms Second Death Linked to AstraZeneca, Becomes First Country to Approve Pfizer for Young Teens

The Defender reported:

A 50-year-old woman from the Canadian province of Alberta died from a rare blood clot condition after receiving the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine, the province’s chief medical officer of health said.

In a statement Tuesday, Dr. Deena Hinshaw said the woman died of vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT). It was Canada’s second confirmed death of VITT linked to the vaccine.

Though extremely rare, VITT differs from a typical blood clot because it can cause both cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) — where veins that drain blood from the brain are obstructed –– and fatal bleeding.

According to CBC News, Canada has reported seven cases of blood clots following immunization with AstraZeneca, but public health officials maintain the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the potential risks.

Pfizer to Seek Authorization for COVID-19 Vaccine for Children Ages 2 to 11 in September

CNN reported:

Pfizer expects to file for full US Food and Drug Administration approval for its Covid-19 vaccine for people ages 16 to 85 this month, and will seek emergency use authorization for its vaccine for children ages 2 to 11 in September, the company said during an earnings call on Tuesday.

The company’s vaccine safety and efficacy study in children age 6 months to 11 years old is still going.

U.S. Parents Excited Over Prospect of Virus Shots for Children

The Associated Press reported:

After more than a year of fretting over her 13-year son with a rare liver disease, Heather Ousley broke into tears when she learned that he and millions of other youngsters could soon be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.

“This day is the best day in the history of days!!! I love this day!!!” she texted, joining other parents and educators in welcoming the news that the Food and Drug Administration is expected to authorize Pfizer’s vaccine by next week for children ages 12 to 15.

‘This Week’ With Mary + Polly: Ramping Up Fear as Vaccine Demand Drops Off + Bill and Melinda Gates Ask for ‘Privacy’ + More

The Defender reported:

This week, Mary Holland, Children’s Health Defense (CHD) president, and Polly Tommey, co-producer of “Vaxxed,” cover the latest COVID headlines, including the latest numbers on COVID breakthrough cases, Denmark’s decision to ditch the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and the death of a Kenyan doctor who was an outspoken critic of the HPV and other vaccines.

Death of Fully Vaccinated U.S. Expert in India Sparks Worry Over Pfizer’s Efficacy Against COVID-19 Double Mutant

The Global Times reported:

Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines have been dragged into the spotlight over efficacy concerns against the new double mutant variant first found in India after an infectious disease specialist from the US, who had received two Pfizer shots prior to his arrival in India, passed away after testing positive for coronavirus at the age of 81, local media reported on Wednesday.

Although there is no direct evidence showing reduced efficacy of Pfizer vaccines against the new mutated strain, previous studies suggest a reduced protection rate against other variants, health experts reached by the Global Times said.

Detroit Now Paying $50 to Anyone Who Convinces Someone to Get a Vaccine

Fox2 Detroit reported:

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is banking on the idea people will be more convinced to get a shot if their friend tells them to rather than if an expert tells them to. “Nobody wants to listen to Dr. Fauci or me or Gov. Whitmer tell them one more time to take the vaccine,” he said earlier. “But they will listen to their neighbors.”

Under the expanded program, registered Good Neighbors can earn $50 gift cards for every Detroiter they usher through the vaccination process. From scheduling residents for their first dose appointments starting Monday, to driving them to vaccination sites.

Why Moderna Could Triple Its COVID Vaccine Sales Next Year

The Motley Fool reported:

When Moderna (NASDAQ:MRNA) provided its fourth-quarter update in February, the biotech stated that it expected $18.4 billion in sales for its COVID-19 vaccine. However, that outlook was based on advanced purchase agreements in place at that time. Since then, Moderna has lined up more supply deals.

It won’t be surprising if the company raises its sales projection to more than $20 billion when it announces first-quarter results Thursday. But there’s a good reason to think that whatever its vaccine makes this year could be just the tip of the iceberg. Here’s why Moderna just might be able to triple its COVID vaccine sales next year.

Family of Teacher Who Died After AstraZeneca Shot Seeks Answers

The Wall Street Journal reported:

Cinzia Pennino, a 44-year-old science teacher from Palermo, Italy, phoned her father in late March and asked him to pick her up from school. She lived just a short walk away, but could hardly stand up in her classroom due to intense stomach pain.

It was 11 days after Ms. Pennino had received her first dose of the AstraZeneca PLC Covid-19 vaccine. A week later, she died in the hospital of an extremely rare combination of a serious blood clot, or thrombosis, and low levels of platelets, a blood component that plays a key role in clotting. The sometimes-deadly combination is so rare that scientists don’t know how often it occurs in the general population.

Biden’s New Goal: Get 70% Of Americans Vaccinated by Fourth of July

The Guardian reported:

Joe Biden has announced a goal of ensuring 70% of American adults receive at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine by Independence Day on 4 July.

The US president urged people in their 20s and 30s in particular to get inoculated and said his administration was “ready to move immediately” if the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorised the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children aged 12 to 15.

“Our goal by July 4th is to have 70% of adult Americans with at least one shot and 160 million Americans fully vaccinated,” Biden said at the White House on Tuesday. “That means giving close to 100m shots – some first shots, others second shots – over the next 60 days.”