‘Vax’ earns 2021 word of the year from Oxford English Dictionary

“When our lexicographers began digging into our English language corpus data it quickly became apparent that vax was a particularly striking term,” Oxford Languages said on its website.

U.S. military weighs penalties for service members who refuse COVID vaccine

As deadlines loom for military and defense civilians to get mandated COVID-19 vaccines, senior leaders are wrestling with the fate of tens of thousands who flatly refuse the shots or are seeking exemptions, and how to make sure they are treated fairly and equally. It could be a career-ending decision, or could trigger transfers, travel restrictions and requirements to repay bonuses.

Civil complaint filed over nasal spray falsely advertised as COVID-19 treatment, DOJ says

The Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission filed a civil enforcement action against a Utah company after it claimed its nasal spray could prevent or treat COVID-19.

Shanghai Disneyland closes after mass COVID-19 testing over 1 contact

After testing everyone, the park will remain shut on Monday and Tuesday as it continues to cooperate with pandemic prevention efforts, Shanghai Disneyland said in a statement Monday.

Pa. to give 5 paid days off to state employees who get vaccinated

Gov. Tom Wolf's administration told more than 70,000 state employees on Monday that it is offering five days of paid leave for getting fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by the end of the year, quickly drawing opposition from the state treasurer over the potential cost.

Quebec lifts capacity limits in bars — but singing, dancing still banned

Dancing and singing inside bars and restaurants remain prohibited across the province, and patrons must show proof of vaccination before they can enter.

2,300 FDNY firefighters call out sick as COVID vaccine mandate enforced

As of Monday, more than 9,000 workers for the City of New York-- including firefighters and police-- were on unpaid leave for refusing to receive at least one dose of the COVID vaccine, announced Mayor Bill de Blasio.

COVID-19 vaccines for kids 5-11 to be ‘fully up and running’ next week, White House says

The shot still needs a final recommendation from the CDC, but White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients said Monday that “starting the week of November 8, the kids’ vaccination program will be fully up and running.”

FDA delays decision on Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for kids 12-17

U.S. regulators are delaying their decision on Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine for children 12 to 17 while they study the rare risk of heart inflammation.

Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe for kids?

It is the question parents are asking themselves as the FDA gets ready to authorize Pfizer's vaccine for young children.

Ice Cube refuses COVID vaccine and walks away from $9M movie paycheck: report

Ice Cube reportedly backed out of a $9 million paycheck on a movie because he refused to get the COVID-19 vaccine, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

De Blasio: 9 in 10 NYC workers vaccinated as deadline nears

Nine in 10 New York City municipal workers have received COVID-19 vaccinations as a Monday deadline looms.

NY to prison inmates: Get vaccinated, get a Big Mac

A recent memorandum sent by the state’s acting corrections commissioner lists pizza and treats from McDonald’s among the latest vaccine incentives being offered to inmates.

More than 26K NYC workers miss vaccine mandate deadline; enforcement begins Monday

A last-minute rush of jabs boosted the vaccination rate to 83% among police officers, firefighters, garbage collectors and other city workers covered by the mandate as of 8 p.m. Friday, up from 76% a day earlier.

Heartless! Artist says NYC COVID tribute removed in permit snafu

A giant red heart sculpture installed this week in Central Park as a tribute to health care workers and COVID-19 victims has been taken down. It’s an apparent casualty of confusion and red tape.

G-20 summit: Leaders endorse global minimum tax on corporations

Amid skyrocketing revenues of some multinational businesses, leaders of the world’s biggest economies have endorsed a global minimum tax on corporations as part of an agreement on new international tax rules.

White House outlines plans to increase COVID-19 testing in schools

The Department of Education (ED) is prepared to ramp up its COVID-19 screening efforts in schools across the U.S., the White House said on Friday.