Cigarette sales climbed last year for the first time in decades, FTC says

Cigarette sales jumped last year for the first time in two decades. According to the FTC, cigarette companies also spent millions more on advertising in 2020.

CDC confirms link between melioidosis patients and aromatherapy spray sold at Walmart

Lab tests show bacterial strains of Burkholderia pseudomallei that match strains found in melioidosis patients from Georgia, Kansas, Minnesota and Texas — confirming the spray or one of its ingredients caused the infections, the CDC said.

CDC: Some immunocompromised people may need 4th COVID-19 vaccine dose

People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may receive a fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose, according to updated CDC guidance.

COVID-19 forecast model predicts rise in cases, hospitalizations as winter nears

With required mask use reduced in much of the U.S., the University of Washington's influential COVID-19 forecasting model is predicting increasing infections and hospitalizations in November.

Rare ‘flesh eating’ STD spreading in United Kingdom

According to the CDC, donovanosis, granuloma inguinale, causes progressive ulcerative lesions on the genitals or perineum, which are prone to heavy bleeding.

Ohio clinic launches first-ever study for preventative breast cancer vaccine

The FDA recently approved an investigational new drug application for the preventative breast cancer vaccine which entered its phase 1 trial at the Cleveland Clinic.

China starts COVID-19 vaccinations for children 3 and up

Local city and provincial level governments in at least five Chinese provinces issued notices in recent days announcing that children ages 3 to 11 will be required to get their vaccinations.

FDA panel endorses Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for children 5-11

An FDA panel of outside vaccine experts endorsed kid-sized doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for U.S. children aged 5 to 11.

Facebook Papers: Company froze as anti-vaccine comments swarmed users

As false claims about vaccine safety threatened to undermine COVID-19 response, documents reveal that Facebook took a full month to implement changes.

Houston's hospitality industry anticipates a World Series boom

Houston restaurants and hotels near Minute Maid Park were preparing for droves of Atlanta Braves fans to arrive for Game 1 and Game 2 of the 2021 World Series. It was a much-needed boom for an industry rocked by the pandemic.

Moderna to supply Africa with up to 110 million COVID-19 vaccine doses

Moderna said it will make up to 110 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine available to African countries at its “lowest tiered price.”

COVID booster shots available to more eligible Georgia residents

Starting Tuesday, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine booster shots will be available at health departments across Georgia.

Lawmakers pen letter to Fauci, NIH over funding for alleged experiments with puppies

Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., said she wants Dr. Anthony Fauci and the NIH to respond to allegations that the agency funded $1.68 million overseas experiments that involved abusing puppies.

DeSantis denies report that Florida is recruiting unvaccinated police officers

Governor Ron DeSantis wants police officers from northern cities to fill vacancies in Florida departments. And, he says, their COVID-19 vaccination status doesn’t matter. 

Children could soon be eligible for Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine

An FDA advisory panel meets Tuesday to consider whether to authorize the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric COVID-19 vaccine for kids as young as 5.

Georgia hits 50 percent vaccination, still trails US average

Half of all Georgia residents are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19 — a figure that still trails the national average.

US international COVID-19 travel requirements: White House details new rules

The Biden administration is detailing its new international COVID-19 air travel polices for most foreign travelers to the U.S, which will include exemptions for kids and new federal contact tracing requirements.