COVID-19 Vaccine

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An updated COVID-19 vaccine booster shot is hitting shelves in the St. Louis region this week after the federal government approved the shots for emergency use. Area health officials and doctors say everyone who can should get the updated booster, even if they’ve received the vaccine or previous boosters in the past.

Washington University scientists are conducting a clinical trial of a new version of the original Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Researchers say it will likely be better suited to newer BA.4 and BA.5 variants of the virus that have become dominant this summer.

The Pentagon said unvaccinated guardsmen won't get paid and can't participate in federally-funded deployments, but some states are concerned that will affect the Guard's ability to do its job.

This is the first school year in which all ages will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, but so far uptake has been lower for younger age groups.

Earlier this month, federal officials recommended the COVID-19 vaccine for that age group after the Food and Drug Administration determined it was safe and effective. Doses of the vaccine, scaled down in size for smaller children, began arriving in St. Louis late last week.

St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force officials say the coronavirus is spreading at a rate about five times higher than six weeks ago, but less than during the coronavirus peak in January. They're again urging people to get the COVID-19 vaccine and wear masks.

The military is taking a hard line on troops seeking religious exemptions to the COVID vaccine mandate. Lawyers say that could have consequences for others who seek different kinds of religious accommodations.

As COVID-19 cases drop in the St. Louis region and across the U.S., researchers waste no time in the development of future vaccines — for the coronavirus and for other emerging diseases.

Medical experts are currently conducting a clinical trial as part of ongoing research to test whether a more tailored vaccine could better reduce the spread of the omicron variant.