As trials ramp up, doctors stress need to vaccinate kids against COVID-19 By Jennifer Couzin-FrankelFeb. 23, 2021 Companies focus on safety, immune response to vaccines in children and teens
California coronavirus strain may be more infectious—and lethal By Meredith WadmanFeb. 23, 2021 But outside experts warn sample sizes are small and call for more data
Vaccine-wary France turns to citizens’ panel to boost trust in COVID-19 shots By Barbara CasassusFeb. 18, 2021 Panel advice on vaccines could counteract legacy of mistrust from past health scandals
To aid vaccine research, U.K. approves deliberate infections of volunteers with coronavirus By Jon CohenFeb. 17, 2021 First human COVID-19 challenge studies can proceed despite known risks, ethics board says
Unprotected African health workers die as rich countries buy up COVID-19 vaccines By Kai KupferschmidtFeb. 17, 2021 Growing toll on fragile health systems prompts calls for more global equity
Gene therapy trials for sickle cell disease halted after two patients develop cancer By Jocelyn KaiserFeb. 16, 2021 Bluebird bio, developer of the gene therapy, is evaluating whether a virus used could have triggered cell growth
How soon will COVID-19 vaccines return life to normal? By Jon CohenFeb. 16, 2021 The shots are beginning to have a societal impact, but herd immunity is a distant dream
Keeping schools open without masks or quarantines doubled Swedish teachers’ COVID-19 risk By Gretchen VogelFeb. 15, 2021 Students’ parents and teachers’ spouses had a lower increase in risk, according to detailed Swedish health registry
‘Politics was always in the room.’ WHO mission chief reflects on China trip seeking COVID-19’s origin By Kai KupferschmidtFeb. 14, 2021 Lab accident hypothesis, though “extremely unlikely,” has not been ruled out, Peter Ben Embarek says after returning from 4-week investigation
Should you mix and match COVID-19 vaccines? Scientists are seeking answers By Jon CohenFeb. 12, 2021 Scarce vaccine supplies ramp up interest in combining different doses
World’s largest COVID-19 drug trial identifies second compound that cuts risk of death By Kai KupferschmidtFeb. 11, 2021 Tocilizumab, antibody also used for rheumatoid arthritis, saves patients’ lives by dampening the immune system
The race to treat a rare, fatal syndrome may help others with common disorders like diabetes By Mitch LeslieFeb. 11, 2021 Reversing “stress” in a crippled cell organelle could help people with Wolfram syndrome, and other illnesses with the same flaw
U.S. rushes to fill void in viral sequencing as worrisome coronavirus variants spread By Meredith WadmanFeb. 9, 2021 Plans to track rapidly evolving viral strains are not ambitious enough, some scientists say
South Africa suspends use of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine after it fails to clearly stop virus variant By Jon CohenFeb. 8, 2021 Small efficacy trial doesn’t show whether vaccine may prevent severe disease caused by antibody-dodging strain
Lizards may be protecting people from Lyme disease in the southeastern United States By Harini BarathFeb. 5, 2021 The reptiles make poor hosts for transmitting the infection
Danish scientists see tough times ahead as they watch more contagious COVID-19 virus surge By Kai KupferschmidtFeb. 3, 2021 Some say the country should reopen—even if it causes cases to surge—once vulnerable populations are vaccinated