Stock market today: Asian markets churn upward after the Dow ticks to another record high
Asian shares have churned higher after the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed to another record high.
Merck, Moderna detail potential skin cancer vaccine progress
Shares of Merck and Moderna jumped early Tuesday after the drugmakers said a potential skin cancer vaccine they are developing using the same technology behind COVID-19 preventive shots did well in a mid-stage study.
WHO: New COVID cases, deaths keep falling nearly everywhere
The number of new coronavirus cases and deaths reported globally continued to fall nearly everywhere in the world in what the World Health Organization described as a โwelcome declineโ at a media briefing on Wednesday.
British regulator 1st to OK Moderna's updated COVID booster
British drug regulators have become the first in the world to authorize an updated version of Modernaโs coronavirus vaccine that includes protection against the omicron variant, which the government said would now be offered to people aged 50 and over in the fall.
US: Pfizer COVID-19 shot appears effective for kids under 5
A review by federal health officials says that Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine appears safe and effective for children under 5, the only group not currently eligible for vaccination.
EXPLAINER: What to know about COVID vaccines for little kids
Moderna says it will ask regulators to authorize its COVID-19 vaccine for children under 6 but several hurdles need to be cleared before the shots could become available.
WHO works to spread COVID vaccine technology to more nations
The World Health Organization is creating a global training center to help poorer countries make vaccines, antibodies and cancer treatments using the messenger RNA technology used to make COVID-19 vaccines.
Six African countries to receive mRNA vaccine technology
Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia will be the first African countries to receive the technology required to produce mRNA vaccines on the continent.
Japan starts mass COVID boosters as omicron cases soar
Tokyo has launched a mass inoculation drive for COVID-19 booster shots at a temporary center operated by the military as Japan tries to speed up delayed third jabs to counter surging infections.
Navy discharges 1st active-duty sailors for COVID-19 vaccine refusal
The Navy said Tuesday that it has discharged 23 active duty sailors for refusing the coronavirus vaccine, marking the first time it has thrown currently serving sailors out of the military over the mandatory shots.
NBA to players, coaches, refs: Booster shots are recommended
The NBA has told its players, coaches and referees that they should receive booster shots against the coronavirus, with particular urgency for those who received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
![Pittsylvania/Danville Health District now offering booster shots for all three COVID-19 vaccines](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/CF12UWrV9Lne_AHWtVdKCppFiRU=/800x536/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/NYZJ7RO2GNFCZKOBT7GCMFT5XE.jpg)
Pittsylvania/Danville Health District now offering booster shots for all three COVID-19 vaccines
Booster shots for all three COVID-19 vaccines are now available at three mobile vaccination clinics in the Pittsylvania/Danville Health District.
![Nearly 400,000 Virginians received a booster for the COVID-19 vaccine so far](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/5N2UKU_4rT6kOIRN7gcHspX-21s=/800x500/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/KNEUM3O54ZG6RF6VI27ZY7JLOM.jpg)
Nearly 400,000 Virginians received a booster for the COVID-19 vaccine so far
Nearly 2.2 million people nationwide are now eligible to receive COVID booster shots after the CDC authorized extra doses of Moderna and Johnson & Johnsonโs vaccines Thursday night.
![Next on FDA's agenda: Booster shots of Moderna, J&J vaccines](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/WBIv71b2F78POfYMKFb0_SsXtuw=/800x533/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/AYJINM6PVRDOHIESTKSJUJCGNY.jpg)
Next on FDA's agenda: Booster shots of Moderna, J&J vaccines
With many Americans who got Pfizer vaccinations already rolling up their sleeves for a booster shot, millions of others who received the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine wait anxiously to learn when itโs their turn.
![Moderna has no plans to share its COVID-19 vaccine recipe](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/Fzf658ew3izKqKlBlJKIB-5bPrw=/800x533/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/MINPQAK4CFH75DGRU2NMN6RGIY.jpg)
Moderna has no plans to share its COVID-19 vaccine recipe
The chairman of Moderna says the company has no plans to share the recipe for its COVID-19 vaccine because executives have concluded that scaling up their own production is the best way to increase the global supply.
![The Latest: UN chief decries pandemic's harm to the poor](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/43TJ-scLL8VTLjjREfwZVYA-thU=/800x533/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/ULIB6M77RZDF7PTRKLB3CIOMBM.jpg)
The Latest: UN chief decries pandemic's harm to the poor
The United Nations chief says the pandemic has forced more than 100 million people into poverty and left over 4 billion people with little or no social support, health care or income protection.
![Tourist who wrote โMadernaโ on COVID-19 vaccination card wanted after skipping Hawaii Zoom hearing](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/pnyeeLiBck_5TdXXJO1GH1TXAoQ=/800x313/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/7KORIUF23NBRVBJXSSKKTESGLE.jpg)
Tourist who wrote โMadernaโ on COVID-19 vaccination card wanted after skipping Hawaii Zoom hearing
A Hawaii judge issued a bench warrant for an Illinois woman after she failed to appear for a virtual court hearing Wednesday following her arrest for an alleged fake COVID-19 vaccination card that misspelled Moderna as โMaderna.โ
![Misspelling of Moderna on fake COVID-19 vaccination card leads to touristโs arrest in Hawaii](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/pnyeeLiBck_5TdXXJO1GH1TXAoQ=/800x313/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/7KORIUF23NBRVBJXSSKKTESGLE.jpg)
Misspelling of Moderna on fake COVID-19 vaccination card leads to touristโs arrest in Hawaii
A 24-year-old Illinois woman submitted a fake COVID-19 vaccination card to visit Hawaii with a glaring spelling error that led to her arrest: Moderna was spelled โMaderna,โ according to court documents.
![Liberty University sees more than 200 people get first dose at COVID-19 vaccine clinic](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/4rN0fflpqcq8gD5hWEfhDjumcG4=/800x450/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/DCHGFBD24VD4VDS5XNWZ7SVBRU.jpg)
Liberty University sees more than 200 people get first dose at COVID-19 vaccine clinic
Liberty University attempted to slow the on-campus spread of the Delta variant by hosting a COVID-19 vaccine clinic for students, faculty, and staff.
![WHO: COVID-19 vaccination triples in Africa but still low](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/F5y9spYkuB1R84keLjYyBkuMMbY=/800x561/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/CC4QN2QPARBMZGNIAMUITCEE6Y.jpg)
WHO: COVID-19 vaccination triples in Africa but still low
The Africa director of the World Health Organization says the continent was able to triple its COVID-19 vaccination rate over the past week, helped by growing numbers of donations of doses from developed countries.
![Virginia to provide third dose of Pfizer, Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for immunocompromised people](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/3SvQH4ALXuQe4HWUyAA6XTPu5T0=/800x450/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/JIQGO46IS5DE3J5PM7DE5TX6SM.jpg)
Virginia to provide third dose of Pfizer, Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for immunocompromised people
The Virginia Department of Health announced that the Commonwealth will make third doses of both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for immunocompromised people this month.
![EU likely to decide on Moderna COVID shot for kids next week](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/v1nvZeu4oTgtsraeWc-ayIfIaJ4=/800x514/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/7CWCNN6RQRA4RLCTZYIRSUNASQ.jpg)
EU likely to decide on Moderna COVID shot for kids next week
A top official at the European Medicines Agency says a decision on whether to recommend that Modernaโs COVID-19 vaccine be authorized for children is expected late next week.
![Vaccine deliveries rising as delta virus variant slams Asia](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/8v6-e_aJ1_t19DW7CwSx1yv9zPs=/800x533/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/H2BUCIN2SJHODCC7CKLMF4ZZ5E.jpg)
Vaccine deliveries rising as delta virus variant slams Asia
As many Asian countries battle their worst surge of COVID-19 infections, the slow flow of vaccine doses from around the world is finally picking up speed, giving hope that inoculation rates can increase and help blunt the effect of the rapidly spreading delta variant.
![The Latest: Australia official urges against AstraZeneca](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/1duXrmVhCqk5KutidKaIT1UC95g=/800x533/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65):fill(FFF)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/HBV3EECS5ZHGJGCJSWYFSCKXDQ.jpg)
The Latest: Australia official urges against AstraZeneca
The top health official in Australia's Queensland state is advising adults under age 40 not to take the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine because of the risk of a rare blood clotting disorder, even though the Australian government is making those shots available to all adults.
![Moderna's president talks COVID-19 and vaccine technology](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/FxahsbCLzPPPlASu8XbAJpsyDFs=/800x533/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65):fill(FFF)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/J5GNMRE7L5CDBNKERG2ORD33JE.jpg)
Moderna's president talks COVID-19 and vaccine technology
Moderna President Dr. Stephen Hoge says his company is working on developing COVID-19 vaccine booster shots while also trying to harness the genetic code technology it helped pioneer to fight other diseases.
![Japan opens mass vaccine centers 2 months before Olympics](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/Z-QI9fILppQxHYzLm_BwJbFlaMs=/800x533/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65):fill(FFF)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/PJVLLJWMQNDENM4T4JHOT6HATU.jpg)
Japan opens mass vaccine centers 2 months before Olympics
Japan mobilized military doctors and nurses to give shots to elderly people in Tokyo and Osaka as the government desperately tries to accelerate its vaccination rollout and curb coronavirus infections just two months before hosting the Olympics.
![Japan expands state of emergency, approves 2 more vaccines](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/-DXfCAq9LY8fHIalstyDKZNvFc8=/800x533/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65):fill(FFF)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/OGPTBQ5RZJE6TMSM7GOJ4C3E44.jpg)
Japan expands state of emergency, approves 2 more vaccines
Japan has expanded a coronavirus state of emergency hours after it approved the use of two more vaccines in an effort to contain a worrying surge in infections nine weeks ahead of the opening of the Tokyo Olympics.
![UK races to test, vaccinate as virus variant threatens plans](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/cts61gUZkYSZo8StIQR4mXxP-KE=/800x533/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65):fill(FFF)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/HY3SI4CBCNB2ZMMWWDSKZWH4BA.jpg)
UK races to test, vaccinate as virus variant threatens plans
Britain has sent public health officials, backed by the army, to distribute coronavirus tests door-to-door in two northern England towns to contain a fast-spreading variant that threatens the country's lockdown-easing plans.
![The Latest: Ontario getting military help for pandemic surge](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/WtGeg3swecEI0MP6Gm9eGCH9ymw=/800x562/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/LITRNCTIMZB45EQNWNWOTU4ZRQ.jpg)
The Latest: Ontario getting military help for pandemic surge
Ontario will be getting help from Canadaโs military in dealing with a surge of coronavirus infections, while several other Canadian provinces are tightening health restrictions in hopes of avoiding a similar situation.
![Thousands receive Moderna dose after Roanokeโs walk-in clinic](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/HkBN_RScFwaVPAJ3SjCHU-8Idxg=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/04-15-2021/t_ca7537e6e72f4678959561aea0ff32b3_name_image.jpg)
Thousands receive Moderna dose after Roanokeโs walk-in clinic
Open to anyone in the area looking to get their first dose of Moderna, Roanoke Alleghany Health District hosted a walk-in clinic at the Berglund Center Thursday.
![Asian stock markets advance after new Wall St high](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/sxPBgrqqUnrk_mVI_YB8OaYM3RI=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/54WVUTTANNGWTLPQXEHNRQ3BLQ.jpg)
Asian stock markets advance after new Wall St high
Asian stock markets have risen after Wall Street hit a record high following an uptick in U.S. inflation and a order by regulators to suspend use of Johnson & Johnsonโs coronavirus vaccine.
![Martinsville-Henry County to host COVID-19 drive-thru clinics, no appointment necessary](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/8OF4L3tnetW-lc7hSmGmCtDn-kc=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/T2JH62PXJFDOBEVG4Z7RE3W6FI.jpg)
Martinsville-Henry County to host COVID-19 drive-thru clinics, no appointment necessary
If youโre in need of a COVID-19 vaccine, the West Piedmont Health District will be hosting three drive-thru clinics over the next two weeks where no appointments are necessary.
![COVID vaccine found highly effective in real-world US study](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/moSh7_rQgZ_R2RLUS_zMByr137c=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/325NMNKIDFH75NYBAEA4DMIIIM.jpg)
COVID vaccine found highly effective in real-world US study
โWe have a vaccine thatโs working very well.โThe study is the governmentโs first assessment of how the shots have been working beyond the drugmakers' initial experiments. The study included roughly 2,500 volunteers who had completed two vaccine doses, about 500 who got one dose and about 1,000 who did not get vaccinated between mid-December and mid-March. Besides the 90% figure for two doses, the study found it was 80% effective for participants two weeks or more after a first dose. She added that over 93 million Americans have received at least one vaccine dose and over 51 million people have been fully vaccinated. The company said it expects to meet its next deadlines, of delivering another 100 million doses by the end of May and its final 100 million by the end of July.
![Hotline to register 65 and older for the vaccine extended in Roanoke Valley](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/_rEZh3npJ9TGGKuUeN068mdFjdg=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/03-26-2021/t_e8054c446930427787e8855a4cea7e72_name_image.jpg)
Hotline to register 65 and older for the vaccine extended in Roanoke Valley
ROANOKE, Va. โ While some areas are moving forward to Phase 1c with vaccine distribution, Roanoke Alleghany County Health District is still far from it. Waiting for more Johnson and Johnson vaccines, Dr. Cynthia Morrow said an extra 1,000 Moderna vaccines are expected to be added to the next shipment. A necessary supply as Morrow said a reduction of vaccine allocation from the state was not expected. โYou know all of us were a little bit disappointed when we learned the state allocation was 49,000 not the over 100,000 we were expecting,โ she said. Thatโs why on Wednesday a hotline was created to help register 65 and up.
![Michigan sees virus surge, but tighter restrictions unlikely](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/OGYs1j9t2U5FqXGyvmD8qWFxj9M=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/4KFU2QRJYRHJRG6LIUGB6Z2ROI.jpg)
Michigan sees virus surge, but tighter restrictions unlikely
The infection resurgence is being fueled by loosened restrictions, a more infectious variant and pandemic fatigue. Gretchen Whitmer, who does not plan to tighten restrictions on indoor dining, sports and other activities that were eased in recent months. Michigan reported more than 5,200 new cases Thursday, the most in over three months. Dawn Misra, an epidemiology and biostatistics professor at Michigan State University. But the reopening was pushed off to April 12, after spring break, because of rising virus cases in the community.