LAUSD to end incentive program aimed at getting students vaccinated against COVID-19

The deadline for COVID-19 vaccinations is days away, with about 72% of students in compliance, and an estimated $5 million for prizes, including gift cards to Amazon and Target, and tickets to Disneyland and Universal Studios, available as incentive to meet the deadline.

Paxlovid: US buys millions of Pfizer’s antiviral COVID-19 pills

The White House announced Friday that it has purchased 10 million treatment courses of Pfizer's investigational COVID-19 oral antiviral candidate Paxlovid.

Mayor Garcetti urges booster shots for anyone over 18 in Los Angeles

Speaking as both a mayor and someone who recently experienced a breakthrough COVID-19 case, Mayor Eric Garcetti Wednesday urged all Angelenos over the age of 18 to get a booster shot as a possible winter surge looms.

10% of US kids 5 to 11 received COVID-19 vaccine in 1st 2 weeks, White House says

At least 2.6 million kids have received a shot, White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients says, with 1.7 million doses administered in the last week alone.

Vaccine seekers have some trouble getting booster shots in California

California health officials want all adults to get a booster before the winter holidays. But booking one online, can be tricky.

Monday marks deadline for LAUSD teacher vaccine mandate

Monday was the deadline for LAUSD's teacher vaccine mandate. Those who refuse to meet the requirement are now in danger of losing their jobs.

Multiple states open COVID-19 booster shots to all adults

Some states, along with New York City, are not waiting for U.S. health officials to approve COVID-19 booster shots for all adults out of concern of a possible winter surge.

COVID-19 cases in US jumped 26% over last 3 weeks, CDC data shows

Cases tapered off after the delta variant surged this summer, but newly rising cases could be a worrisome sign of what’s ahead this winter.

3 snow leopards die from COVID-19 complications at Nebraska zoo

The zoo made the announcement in a Facebook post Friday, describing the deaths of the three leopards — named Ranney, Everest, and Makalu— as “truly heartbreaking.

Wyoming girl, teddy bear reunited after year-long separation during Glacier National Park trip

Six-year-old Naomi Pascal lost a teddy bear she had since leaving an Ethiopian orphanage. Thanks to a sharp-eyed, compassionate park ranger, she has been reunited with the irreplaceable stuffed animal a year later.

Santa Claus may not be coming to town this year amid hired Santa shortage

There are an estimated 10-15% fewer Santa Clauses this year compared to last year due to COVID-19 and many Santas retiring, according to Mitch Allen, head elf at Hire Santa.

LA City Council approves changes to COVID proof-of-vaccination ordinance

The City Council on Friday tweaked the ordinance, so it will now require proof of vaccinations for only individuals who are 12 years old and over, instead of all eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine, which includes people over the age of 5.

California issues new guidelines on who can get booster shots

California told health care providers to not turn anyone away even if they don’t meet the CDC’s criteria as long as it has been at least six months since their second Pfizer or Moderna shot or two months since their single Johnson & Johnson shot.