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People wait in line at a vaccination site in D.C. on Nov. 29. (Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images)

Omicron seems to cause milder illness, Fauci says, as study shows evasion of antibodies

Updated December 7, 2021 at 11:00 p.m. EST|Published December 7, 2021 at 3:58 a.m. EST

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Anthony S. Fauci, the nation’s top infectious-disease expert, said Tuesday that the omicron variant appears to cause less severe illness — although he cautioned that the available data remains preliminary and anecdotal.  

Here’s what to know

  • Pfizer could have a new vaccine targeted at the omicron variant of the coronavirus in March if needed, the company’s CEO said Tuesday.
  • The U.S. is putting an additional $400 million toward expanding worldwide vaccine access and resources in coronavirus hot spots.
  • A federal judge on Tuesday temporarily blocked a Biden administration requirement that federal contractors get vaccinated against the coronavirus.
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Pfizer could have a new vaccine targeted at the omicron variant of the coronavirus in March if needed, the company’s CEO said Tuesday.
The U.S. is putting an additional $400 million toward expanding worldwide vaccine access and resources in coronavirus hot spots.
A federal judge on Tuesday temporarily blocked a Biden administration requirement that federal contractors get vaccinated against the coronavirus.

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Coronavirus: What you need to know

End of the public health emergency: The Biden administration ended the public health emergency for the coronavirus pandemic on May 11, just days after WHO said it would no longer classify the coronavirus pandemic as a public health emergency. Here’s what the end of the covid public health emergency means for you.

Tracking covid cases, deaths: Covid-19 was the fourth leading cause of death in the United States last year with covid deaths dropping 47 percent between 2021 and 2022. See the latest covid numbers in the U.S. and across the world.

The latest on coronavirus boosters: The FDA cleared the way for people who are at least 65 or immune-compromised to receive a second updated booster shot for the coronavirus. Here’s who should get the second covid booster and when.

New covid variant: A new coronavirus subvariant, XBB. 1.16, has been designated as a “variant under monitoring” by the World Health Organization. The latest omicron offshoot is particularly prevalent in India. Here’s what you need to know about Arcturus.

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