U.S. military weighs penalties for service members who refuse COVID vaccine

As deadlines loom for military and defense civilians to get mandated COVID-19 vaccines, senior leaders are wrestling with the fate of tens of thousands who flatly refuse the shots or are seeking exemptions, and how to make sure they are treated fairly and equally. It could be a career-ending decision, or could trigger transfers, travel restrictions and requirements to repay bonuses.

Civil complaint filed over nasal spray falsely advertised as COVID-19 treatment, DOJ says

The Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission filed a civil enforcement action against a Utah company after it claimed its nasal spray could prevent or treat COVID-19.

COVID-19 vaccines for kids 5-11 to be ‘fully up and running’ next week, White House says

The shot still needs a final recommendation from the CDC, but White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients said Monday that “starting the week of November 8, the kids’ vaccination program will be fully up and running.”

FDA delays decision on Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for kids 12-17

U.S. regulators are delaying their decision on Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine for children 12 to 17 while they study the rare risk of heart inflammation.

Montgomery County Council to reconsider indoor mask mandate

New rules would prevent the county's mask mandate from being reinstated Wednesday, less than a week after it was lifted.

G-20 summit: Leaders endorse global minimum tax on corporations

Amid skyrocketing revenues of some multinational businesses, leaders of the world’s biggest economies have endorsed a global minimum tax on corporations as part of an agreement on new international tax rules.

White House outlines plans to increase COVID-19 testing in schools

The Department of Education (ED) is prepared to ramp up its COVID-19 screening efforts in schools across the U.S., the White House said on Friday.

Kamala Harris receives COVID-19 vaccine booster shot

The vice president rolled up a sleeve on Saturday and took a third shot of the Moderna vaccine.

FDA authorizes Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11

The FDA has authorized the emergency use expansion of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine access to children 5 and 11 years old. The CDC will next decide whether to sign off on the shots.

Iowa governor signs COVID-19 vaccine mandate exemption into law

Gov. Kim Reynolds has signed into law a bill that allows Iowa workers to seek medical and religious exemptions from COVID-19 vaccine mandates and guarantees that those who are fired for refusing a vaccine will qualify for unemployment benefits.

Montgomery County ends indoor mask mandate

Montgomery County's indoor mask mandate has ended. The mandate came to an end at 12:01 a.m. Thursday. County Executive Marc Elrich credited the county's COVID-19 polices and said they have been effective and have allowed the county to minimize the spread of the coronavirus.

New COVID-19 travel rules in place ahead of holidays

If you're booking a flight for the holidays there are new COVID-19 safety rules in place that could affect your travel plans.

Global shortage of up to 2B syringes as vaccine doses rise, officials warn

The U.N. warned of a looming shortage of up to 2 billion syringes for mainly low- and middle-income countries as the supply of COVID-19 doses rises.

Illinois bill would remove 'conscience' as basis for refusing vaccine

Illinois law has for more than four decades protected those who oppose providing or receiving medical treatment because of their religious beliefs. Well now, that may be changing.

Experts say if you want to get a rapid COVID test ahead of holidays, plan now

Remember what things were like this time last year? Lots of people were still working from home, lots of kids were still in virtual school, and lots of families and friends didn’t see each other for the holidays at all.