The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – US prepares

On Aug 26, 2021

Presented by Facebook

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Total U.S. coronavirus deaths reported each morning this week: Monday, 628,503; Tuesday, 629,411; Wednesday, 630,816; Thursday, 632,272.

The plan to deliver booster shots across the country took key turns on Wednesday as vaccine manufacturers plan for additional doses and Johnson & Johnson (J&J) said its vaccine data shows strengthened immunity to fight COVID-19 after a second dose.

The booster vaccine by Pfizer and BioNTech will begin to be administered two months earlier than initially described by administration officials — at six months instead of eight months for millions of Americans this year, The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.

Booster doses of all three vaccines, including J&J, will likely begin to be administered in less than a month in the United States. J&J announced that preliminary data shows a nine-fold increase in antibodies generated in comparison to those detected 28 days after individuals receive their initial COVID-19 shot.

“Significant increases in binding antibody responses were observed in participants between ages 18 and 55, and in those 65 years and older who received a lower booster dose,” J&J said as it seeks federal authorization for fully vaccinated people to get a reinforcing jab (The Hill).

The drugmaker added that it was “engaging” with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in a push to get approval in the near term (NBC News).

The Hill: Moderna completes submission for full FDA approval of vaccine.

The Associated Press: Japan suspends 1.6 million doses of Moderna over contamination.

Days after the FDA licensed Pfizer’s vaccine, inoculation mandates (and pressure points) continued to spread. Delta Air Lines on Wednesday announced that employees who remain unvaccinated will be required to pay a $200 monthly health insurance surcharge and could lose pay protection if they miss time from work due to the virus.

The $200 monthly charge for unvaccinated workers who are a part of the airline’s healthcare plan “will be necessary to address the financial risk the decision to not vaccinate is creating for our company,” Ed Bastian, Delta’s chief executive, wrote in a letter to employees (The Wall Street Journal).

The Associated Press: Massachusetts State Senate to require vaccinations for lawmakers, staff.

The Associated Press: Cruise lines require vaccinations, tests, amid virus surge.

Meanwhile, governors made news on Wednesday. In Pennsylvania, Gov. Tom WolfTom Wolf Pennsylvania governor…