Children as young as 12 should get Pfizer COVID-19 booster vaccines, CDC advisers say If the CDC approves the advisory panel's recommendation, boosters for adolescents age 12-17 could be available as early as this week. The shots should be given five months after initial immunization. Jonathan Franklin
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona discusses the push to keep schools open NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with Education Secretary Miguel Cardona about the omicron surge and the administration's push to keep schools open. Noah Caldwell
Advisers to the CDC say kids as young as 12 should get COVID booster shots Advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say kids as young as 12 should get booster shots. This endorsement clears the way for the CDC to approve boosters for kids between 12 and 15. Pien Huang
The Grammys are postponed and Sundance is moved online because of omicron surge A new date has not been announced for the Grammys. Sundance events begin Jan 20. Mia Estrada
A Texas team comes up with a COVID vaccine that could be a global game changer Peter Hotez and Maria Elena Bottazzi used an oldie-but- goodie technology to devise a vaccine that's easy to make — and relatively cheap. India has already ordered 300 million doses. Joe Palca
France's Macron takes heat after saying he wants to 'piss off' the unvaccinated The French president made the remarks to a newspaper on Tuesday, causing opposition lawmakers to call a halt to debate on a new nationwide mandate. Scott Neuman
Australian P.M. says Djokovic will be turned back if his vaccine exemption is bogus "If he's not vaccinated, he must provide acceptable proof that he cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons," Prime Minister Scott Morrison said of the top-ranked tennis player. Bill Chappell
Hong Kong bans flights from U.S. and 7 other countries as omicron surges Hong Kong authorities announced a two-week ban on flights from eight countries and held 2,500 passengers on a cruise ship for coronavirus testing as the city attempted to stem an omicron outbreak. The Associated Press
Scientists explore how omicron symptoms differ from other COVID signs Most people know the telltale signs of COVID-19. But given omicron's many mutations, are the common symptoms still the same? Doctors are noticing at least some differences with the new variant.
The CDC says a test to get out of COVID isolation is not needed, resisting pushback Those who contracted COVID-19 can end their isolation after five days while continuing to wear a well-fitting mask for an additional five days, according to the agency. Pien Huang