FDA

The FDA and CDC recently approved COVID-19 vaccines for children between the ages of six months to five years old. Vaccines are available through your pediatrician, some local pharmacies and hospitals.

The authorization comes in the midst of an explosion of COVID-19 cases nationwide driven by the omicron variant — a surge that has brought a spike in pediatric hospitalizations.

Not a single scientific or health authority in the U.S. recommends the use of the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin to treat or prevent COVID-19. Still, some Americans see the unproven drug as a way out of the pandemic.

The CDC is now recommending the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for the younger age group so we asked a pediatrician what should parents know before their kids get the shot.

With COVID-19 vaccines available soon for children ages 5-11, I wanted to see how Kansas City kids felt about their shots. I also heard something more: fears about the disease that's changed their lives, and impatience over long-promised plans and parties.

The agency acted after an independent panel of scientists strongly supported the move. Kids could start getting vaccinated within the week.

The Food and Drug Administration also gave an OK to boosters that differ from the vaccine originally used to immunize people against COVID-19. A mix-and-match approach could ease the booster rollout.

Pfizer and BioNTech say that early trial results show their vaccine established a strong antibody response against the coronavirus. FDA review is still needed.

Psychedelic drugs often have a negative connotation but ongoing clinical trials show they can be beneficial to some patients.

The FDA gave full approval of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine this week. But whether vaccine requirements pass muster may depend on the state or even municipality.

After the FDA granted full approval to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, at least one hospital system in Missouri announced it would mandate the shots for employees. Just over half of Missouri adults are fully vaccinated.

The approval replaces the emergency use authorizations granted last December and could make it easier for employers, the military and universities to mandate vaccination.