Rob Stein

An even more contagious omicron subvariant is fueling yet another surge of infections in the U.S. The number of hospitalizations is growing.

The virus became the third leading cause of death in the U.S., and caused so many to die in the prime of life that the country experienced the biggest drop in life expectancy since World War II.

The Food and Drug Administration expanded authorization of Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID vaccine to enable kids ages 5 to 11 who were vaccinated at least five months ago to get a third shot.

As the U.S. approaches 1 million COVID-19 deaths, cases and hospitalizations have started rising again, deaths are poised to creep up again, and the nation is on alert for yet another surge.

President Biden marks the approaching 1 million death toll from COVID in the U.S. More people have died from COVID-19 than died from AIDS in the US since that pandemic began decades ago.

President Biden is honoring the loss of at least 1 million deaths from COVID-19 Thursday morning. The ceremony comes as part of an international summit on the pandemic that the White House is hosting.

The company says a low-dose version of its vaccine triggers an immune response in children ages 6 months to less than 6 years equivalent to what has protected older children and adults.

Pfizer has asked for authorization for the first booster for children 5 to 11 and Moderna is poised to ask for authorization for the first vaccine for children younger than 5.

Pfizer and BioNTech are poised to formally ask the Food and Drug Administration to authorize the first COVID booster shot for kids ages 5 to 11.

Data show that a third dose can help boost kids' immunity. Some experts are skeptical that another shot is needed for younger kids.

CDC has unveiled a new pandemic forecasting center, but officials say there's along way to go to make pandemics as predictable as the weather.

The company says this version targets both the original coronavirus and the beta variant, and appears to provide broader and longer-lasting protection against different strains, including omicron.

The pandemic drove U.S. life expectancy down again in 2021 even though life-saving vaccines were widely available.

Federal health officials are convening with outside advisers April 6 to talk about a vaccine plan, whether that's another booster in the fall, an omicron shot or one that targets more than one strain.

The Food and Drug Administration has authorize fourth shots for those age 50 and older. The move is aimed at shoring up waning immunity, especially as the U.S. faces the possibility of another surge.

With the FDA poised to OK another booster for people 50 and older, questions remain: Is the evidence strong enough to warrant a fourth shot, does the timing make sense, and will there be much demand?

People aged 50 and over could soon be eligible for a second Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID vaccine booster. The administration wants to offer the shots as immunity from the first booster is waning.

Moderna says a low-dose version of its vaccine is safe and effective for kids, including those under age 6. The company plans to ask the Food and Drug Administration for emergency authorization.

Moderna says its low-dose pediatric vaccine appears to be safe and provide protection for kids ages 6 months to 6 years, and it is asking the Food and Drug Administration for emergency authorization.

The rise of the more infectious BA.2 variant in the U.S. — plus signals in the sewage — also point to a possible uptick in cases, and have health officials on alert.