November 30, 2021 – US Prepares For Omicron Variant, FDA Reviews Booster Shots For Older Teens, And More

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Doctor Kimberly Shriner, director of Infectious Disease and Prevention at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena.  Topics today include:  The Omicron variant is coming, but we can prepare  CDC urges all adults to get COVID-19 boosters as the Omicron variant looms.  Regeneron’s monoclonal antibody treatment is not as effective against the Omicron variant, according to preliminary tests.  Omicron variant isn’t likely to cause severe illness for vaccinated individuals, according to BioNTech founder.  Moderna’s chief executive predicts current vaccines will struggle against the Omicron variant. Low income L.A. County residents are less likely to get COVID-19 vaccines.  Merck’s COVID-19 treatment pill is being reviewed by the FDA.  FDA is moving to authorize COVID-19 booster shots for 16 and 17 year-olds.  Tomorrow is World AIDS Day; we look at the history of the disease and how treatments have evolved. This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.