"Fox News Sunday," Dr. Francis Collins stated that Friday's panel's recommendation was correct, based on "a snapshot" of data regarding the effectiveness of Pfizer’s two-shot regimen over time. He said that real-time data continues to show a decline in efficacy for larger groups of people from Israel and the U.S., which will need to be addressed quickly.
Collins also spoke on CBS' Face the Nation, saying: "I believe there will be a determination in the coming weeks for boosters to be extended beyond the list they approved on Friday."
On Sunday, Dr. Anthony Fauci (President Joe Biden's chief medical advisor) praised the advisory board for its plan to cover a "good chunk of Americans". He stressed that this isn't the end of the story, based on changing data, and stated that the recommendations will likely continue to be refined in the weeks and months ahead.
The Food and Drug Administration will review the advice of the advisory group and make its own decision within days. This week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will also weigh in.
KATHMANDU (Nepal) -- Tens of thousands of devotees gathered in Kathmandu's old palace courtyard to celebrate Indra Jatra, the return of the festival season in Nepal after it was reduced due to the pandemic.
Kumari, a young girl revered by Buddhists in Nepal and Hindus alike, was taken out of her temple palace and driven by devotees around Kathmandu in a wooden cart.
Along with tens of thousands others, Nepal's president and top officials lined up for her blessing. Due to a rise in coronavirus cases, last year's celebrations were cut back.
MACKINAW CITY (Mich.) -- This fall, a popular Halloween-themed event in northern Michigan was cancelled due to rising coronavirus cases and the possibility of the delta variant.
Fort Fright at Colonial Michilimackinac, Mackinaw City was originally scheduled for October 8-9.
This event draws from a collection short stories published in Mackinac State Historic Parks. It is based on French-Canadian folktales that were brought to Mackinac Straits by voyageurs during the peak of the French fur trade.
According to organizers, concerns about volunteers living in housing and staffing issues were also factors in the cancellation of the event.
Colonial Michilimackinac, an 18th-century fur trading and fort village, is located on the Straits of Mackinac. It was rebuilt using historical maps and more 60 years of archaeological excavations.
