The F.D.A. clears booster shots for 12- to 15-year-olds

The Food and Drug Administration on Monday authorized booster doses of Pfizer-BioNTech’s coronavirus vaccine for 12- to 15-year-olds, a group that became eligible for initial shots in May.

Expecting a Surge; We look at the latest on Omicron.

Get ready for the Omicron surge, and take it seriously. But remember that the vaccines appear to provide strong protection against what matters most: severe Covid illnesses. That’s my reading of experts’ reactions to the latest developments on the Omicron variant. Today, I will walk through them.

Latest on Omicron Variant and COVID-19 Vaccine Protection

There’s been great concern about the new Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. A major reason is Omicron has accumulated over 50 mutations, including about 30 in the spike protein, the part of the coronavirus that mRNA vaccines teach our immune systems to attack. All of these genetic changes raise the possibility that Omicron could cause breakthrough infections in people who’ve already received a Pfizer or Moderna mRNA vaccine.

Will the Vaccines Stop Omicron? Scientists Are Racing to Find Out.

A “Frankenstein mix” of mutations raises concerns, but the variant may remain vulnerable to current vaccines. If not, revisions will be necessary.

What You Need to Know about Variants

Omicron Variant No cases of this variant have been identified in the U.S. to date. CDC is following the details of this new variant. See CDC’s Media Statement.