A different kind of COVID vaccine is about ready to roll Protein subunit vaccines work by injecting people with a tiny portion of a virus. In the case of the COVID-19 vaccine, that tiny portion is the spike protein that the coronavirus uses to enter cells. Joe Palca
The omicron variant has been found in 23 countries More should be known about the transmissibility and severity of the new variant in "days, not necessarily weeks," a senior World Health Organization scientist says. Scott Neuman
What the AIDS crisis can teach us about the COVID pandemic response This is the second World AIDS Day during the coronavirus pandemic. Public health officials are calling on world leaders to do more to address the inequities at the root of both crises. Rachel Treisman
WHO member states will work on a global agreement to deal with future pandemics The coronavirus outbreak exposed flaws in the global health system but also showed a willingness among countries to work together, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO's director-general, says. Joe Hernandez
Stocks tumble as investors weighed potential effects from omicron variant The stock market took a dive on Tuesday, as investors fretted about the new coronavirus variant and the prospect of more long-lasting inflation. Scott Horsley
News brief: omicron variant, abortion court case, high school shooting There is still not much known about the newest coronavirus variant. The Supreme Court considers the future of abortion in the U.S. In Michigan, people are mourning after the latest school shooting. A Martinez
Pfizer wants the FDA to let 16- and 17- year-olds get a COVID-19 booster shot Pfizer's CEO says the vaccine maker has asked federal regulators to authorize boosters for 16- and 17-year-olds. Currently, only people 18 and over are eligible for a booster in the U.S. Will Stone
Omicron's arrival in Washington state is imminent. Experts say they're prepared With the emergence of the new Covid-19 variant, omicron, doctors in Washington state are on the lookout for cases that may appear here. The variant has caused concern around the globe, but has not yet been detected in the U.S. Kate Walters
As U.S. races to detect and track omicron, patchwork surveillance makes that tough What's the U.S. doing to watch out for the omicron variant? Here's the work underway and the challenges that experts say may slow down the country's efforts. Carmel Wroth
An FDA panel supports Merck COVID drug in mixed vote If the Food and Drug Administration authorizes use of the drug, called molnupiravir, it would be the first oral COVID-19 treatment that could be taken at home. Scott Hensley
