Coronavirus Vaccine

A fresh batch of COVID vaccines is arriving in Louisiana. Here’s what you should know.

By EMILY WOODRUFF | Staff writer
Sep 20, 2023

A new coronavirus shot that protects against the latest variant is now available at many chain pharmacies and should be widely available statewide by the end of the week, according to state he…

US approves updated COVID vaccines to rev up protection this fall

BY LAURAN NEERGAARD | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sep 12, 2023

WASHINGTON — The U.S. approved updated COVID-19 vaccines Monday, hoping to rev up protection against the latest coronavirus strains and blunt any surge this fall and winter.

New COVID boosters, which include omicron variants, approved for kids as young as 5

By LAURAN NEERGAARD | AP Medical Writer
Updated Oct 12, 2022

The FDA and the CDC approved the shots Wednesday.

As updated COVID boosters arrive in Louisiana, where can you find one and who should get it?

By EMILY WOODRUFF | Staff writer
Sep 8, 2022

Hospitals and pharmacies expect the new vaccines to arrive in the coming days

Resources

CDC advisers weigh who needs updated COVID booster and when

BY LAURAN NEERGAARD | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sep 1, 2022

COVID-19 boosters updated to match the newest omicron strains are about to roll out, and government advisers met Thursday to decide who should roll up their sleeves — and when.

FDA approves updated COVID boosters that target new omicron variants

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Aug 31, 2022

WASHINGTON — The U.S. on Wednesday authorized its first update to COVID-19 vaccines, booster doses that target today’s most common omicron strain. Shots could begin within days.

Moderna sues Pfizer over patents behind COVID-19 vaccine

By TOM MURPHY | AP Health Writer
Aug 26, 2022

COVID-19 vaccine maker Moderna is suing Pfizer and the German drugmaker BioNTech, accusing its main competitors of copying Moderna’s technology in order to make their own vaccine.

Photos: Dolls and stickers help under 5 year olds find smiles and comfort during COVID vaccinations

BY CHRIS GRANGER | Staff photographer
Jun 21, 2022

READ MORE: Louisiana opens COVID vaccine appointments for children under 5

FDA authorizes 1st COVID shots for infants, preschoolers

By LINDSEY TANNER | AP Medical Writer
Updated Jun 17, 2022

Vaccinations are expected to begin next week for children under 5.

FDA advisers move closer to authorizing COVID-19 shots for kids under 5

BY LINDSEY TANNER and MIKE STOBBE | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jun 15, 2022

COVID-19 shots for U.S. infants, toddlers and preschoolers moved a step closer Wednesday.

A new, more traditional type of vaccine against COVID-19 may soon be available in the US

BY LAURAN NEERGAARD | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jun 7, 2022

American adults who haven't yet gotten vaccinated against COVID-19 may soon get another choice, as advisers to the Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday backed a more traditional type of shot.

Pfizer says 3 low doses of its COVID vaccine efficiently protect children under 5

BY LAURAN NEERGAARD | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
May 23, 2022

Three doses of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine offer strong protection for children younger than 5, the company announced Monday. Pfizer plans to give the data to U.S. regulators later this week in …

Over 5,000 Louisiana COVID deaths could have been prevented with vaccine, analysis finds

BY EMILY WOODRUFF | Staff writer
May 22, 2022

More than half of Louisiana’s COVID deaths since early 2021 could have been prevented if more people had been vaccinated, according to a new analysis.

New Orleans officials urge return of masks indoors, more testing as COVID cases rise

BY EMILY WOODRUFF | Staff writer
May 17, 2022

Citing a rise in confirmed COVID cases and increases in coronavirus particles measured in wastewater, New Orleans health officials on Tuesday "strongly" recommended a return to masking indoors…

FDA clears COVID booster shot for healthy kids ages 5 to 11

BY LAURAN NEERGAARD | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
May 17, 2022

U.S. regulators on Tuesday authorized a COVID-19 booster shot for healthy 5- to 11-year-olds, hoping an extra vaccine dose will enhance their protection as infections once again creep upward.

Moderna asks for approval for its COVID vaccine for children younger than 6

By LAURAN NEERGAARD | AP Medical Writer
Updated Apr 28, 2022

The vaccine is in two low-dose shots.

Appeals court in New Orleans reinstates COVID vaccine mandate for federal employees

By KEVIN McGILL | Associated Press
Apr 8, 2022

A federal appeals court has upheld President Joe Biden's requirement that all federal employees be vaccinated against COVID-19. In a 2-1 ruling Thursday, a panel of the 5th Circuit Court of Ap…

Louisiana has never seen better COVID numbers. How long will it last?

BY EMILY WOODRUFF and JEFF ADELSON | Staff writers
Mar 26, 2022

After two years of drastic measures meant to contain the spread of coronavirus through five separate surges, Louisiana seems to have passed the ultimate coronavirus test: Mardi Gras 2022, wher…

New Orleans drops COVID vaccine mandate for restaurants, bars and other public spaces

BY BEN MYERS and IAN MCNULTY | Staff writers
Updated Mar 21, 2022

'Critical and welcome milestone,' Mayor LaToya Cantrell says

COVID accumulates in male genital organs, Tulane primate study shows

BY EMILY WOODRUFF | Staff writer
Mar 5, 2022

A new study from researchers at Tulane National Primate Research Center suggests the coronavirus may infect four different areas of the male genital tract, adding to evidence that a COVID-19 i…

Pilot, attendant will suffer under United's vaccine mandate, federal court in New Orleans rules

By KEVIN McGILL | The Associated Press
Feb 17, 2022

A pilot and a flight attendant for United Airlines will suffer “irreparable harm” under the airline’s COVID-19 policy that makes them choose between getting vaccinated in violation of their re…

Can New Orleans pull off a safe Mardi Gras season? COVID, staffing shortages are concerns

By EMILY WOODRUFF and JEFF ADELSON | Staff writers
Feb 13, 2022

Pandemic has abated, but health care and emergency workers are fewer in number

Evusheld, scarce COVID prevention drug for the immunocompromised, is sitting on shelves in Louisiana

BY EMILY WOODRUFF | Staff writer
Feb 11, 2022

Providers have reported using about 12% of the 6,000-plus doses sent to the state.

'A forgotten population': For the immunocompromised, learning to live with COVID is life-threatening

BY EMILY WOODRUFF | Staff writer
Feb 7, 2022

'I’ll never be able to pick it up like my life was before,' says one immunocompromised Louisiana resident.

Pfizer COVID vaccine for children under 5 could be approved soon, source says

BY ZEKE MILLER | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Feb 1, 2022

WASHINGTON — U.S. regulators are urging drugmaker Pfizer to apply for emergency authorization for a two-dose regimen of its COVID-19 vaccine for children 6 months to 5 years old while awaiting…

Moderna's COVID vaccine gets full FDA approval, company says

By MATTHEW PERRONE | AP Health Writer
Updated Jan 31, 2022

In the U.S., Moderna is used only by adults.

Omicron peaks across Louisiana as health experts gauge how Mardi Gras will impact hospitals

BY EMILY WOODRUFF AND JEFF ADELSON | Staff writers
Jan 28, 2022

The omicron wave has peaked in Louisiana.

Pfizer testing updated COVID vaccines designed to protect against omicron variant

BY LAURAN NEERGAARD | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jan 25, 2022

Pfizer has begun a study comparing its original COVID-19 vaccine with doses specially tweaked to match the hugely contagious omicron variant.