Contagion

The Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 have together become dominant in the U.S., the C.D.C. estimates

Continuing their rapid march across the United States, the Omicron subvariants known as BA.4 and BA.5 have together become dominant among new coronavirus cases, according to new estimates on Tuesday from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

As of the week ending Saturday, BA.4 made up 15.7 percent of new cases, and BA.5 was 36.6 percent, accounting for about 52 percent of new cases in the United States, numbers that experts said should rise in the weeks to come.

Millions remain unboosted, as scientists say 3rd COVID shot provides 'significant' protection Older Americans — people over 50 — have proven to be more likely to receive their first COVID-19 booster. ABC News ABC News

... new federal data reveals a significant proportion of Americans have yet to receive their first and second boosters.

Biden administration to widen access to monkeypox vaccine People who have had multiple recent partners in venues where monkeypox virus was spreading or in a geographic area where monkeypox is transmitting, not just those with known exposure, will be able to get the vaccine. Helen Branswell STAT

The Biden Administration announced Tuesday that it will broaden availability of monkeypox vaccine as it attempts to contain a growing outbreak of the disease.

The next epidemic may be here. The U.S. isn't ready for it If HIV and Covid-19 were wake-up calls for the government to prioritize public health, monkeypox shows the consequences of hitting the snooze button too many times. Patrick Skerrett STAT

As if dealing with continued waves of Covid-19 isn’t enough, the U.S. is facing a new outbreak — monkeypox — that highlights just how close the U.S. public health system is to its breaking point.