Merriam-Webster declares 'vaccine' as 2021 word of the year

Merriam-Webster has declared an omnipresent truth as its 2021 word of the year: vaccine. Last year, it chose “pandemic.”

Canada is latest country to confirm cases of omicron variant

Canada is among several countries Sunday to report omicron cases. Canada said its two known cases are linked to travel from Nigeria.

South African doctor says omicron variant symptoms ‘unusual but mild’

Dr. Angelique Coetzee, a board member of the South African Medical Association, said the COVID-19 omicron variant reported that it presents "unusual but mild" symptoms.

Omicron variant emerges in more countries as world on high alert

In the U.S., Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious diseases expert, said he would not be surprised if the omicron variant was already in the United States, too.

NY awards first round of vax scholarships for kids 5 to 11

Ten preteens from around New York have won college scholarships for 5-to-11-year-olds who get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Florida reports lowest daily coronavirus cases per capita in nation

Florida is reporting the lowest amount of coronavirus cases per capita in the nation after Gov. Ron DeSantis was widely criticized by media outlets for his handling of the virus. 

Georgia health officials urge COVID vaccinations after emergence of omicron variant overseas

The Georgia Department of Public Health renewed its urge for Georgians to receive COVID-19 vaccines and boosters with the emergence of the omicron variant in South Africa, Hong Kong, Israel and Belgium.

Fauci says omicron variant could be ‘red flag,’ urges COVID-19 boosters for all

“I keep saying it over and over, the next couple of months are going to be up to us. I mean, we, right now, have a tool, a very effective tool,” Dr. Anthony Fauci said, urging vaccination amid news of the worrying new omicron variant.

Omicron variant: World races to contain new 'highly transmissible' COVID-19 strain

The world is racing to contain a new coronavirus variant that is potentially more dangerous than the one that has fueled waves of infection on nearly every continent.

US, Canada, EU, Japan restrict South Africa travel over Omicron variant

Advisers to the World Health Organization held a special session Friday to flesh out information about the worrying new variant of the coronavirus that has been detected in South Africa.

Moderna testing 3 COVID-19 booster vaccines on omicron variant, Pfizer ready to adapt

Pfizer said if any coronavirus variant ever evades the protection offered by its COVID-19 vaccine, it expects to be able to produce a “tailor-made” adapted version of its vaccine to fight that variant in approximately 100 days, pending approval from federal regulators.

Will travel bans stop 'highly transmissible' omicron variant?

A coronavirus variant recently identified in South Africa is leading to a new round of travel restrictions just as many had finally begun to ease.

New COVID-19 variant is ‘huge international concern,’ UK health secretary says

The U.K.’s health secretary told Parliament Friday that the new COVID-19 variant was “of huge international concern” and that it was “highly likely” that it has spread to countries beyond where it has been detected.

Omicron variant: What to know about the new COVID-19 strain

South African scientists identified a new version of the coronavirus this week that they say is behind a recent spike in COVID-19 infections in Gauteng, the country’s most populous province.

Omicron variant: WHO says new COVID-19 strain shows increased reinfection risk

The World Health Organization called a special session to flesh out information about a worrying new variant of the coronavirus that has been detected in South Africa.

South African health minister calls travel restrictions 'knee-jerk reaction' to variant

Dr. Joe Phaahla, the Health Minister of South Africa took issue with countries who've enacted travel bans on South Africa after they identified a new COVID-19 variant.

FDA finds Merck COVID-19 pill effective, seeks outside experts on safety

U.S. health officials say Merck's experimental COVID-19 pill is effective but they raised questions about its safety during pregnancy.