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Pfizer/BioNTech say data suggests vaccine 94% effective in preventing asymptomatic infection Pfizer Inc and BioNTech SE said on Thursday that real-world data from Israel suggests their COVID-19 vaccine is 94% effective in preventing asymptomatic infections, meaning it could significantly reduce transmission. Michael Erman, Maayan Lubell U.S.

NEW YORK/JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Pfizer Inc and BioNTech SE said on Thursday that real-world data from Israel suggests their COVID-19 vaccine is 94% effective in preventing asymptomatic infections, meaning it could significantly reduce transmission.

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/03/11/us/joe-biden-news#biden-directs-states-to-make-all-adult-americans-eligible-for-vaccine-by-may-1

President Biden on Thursday evening directed states to make all adult Americans eligible to receive coronavirus vaccines no later than May 1, using a somber but hopeful prime-time address to the nation to say Americans may be able to “mark our independence from this virus” by the Fourth of July.

Mr. Biden offered a renewed sense of optimism as he recognized the one-year anniversary since the World Health Organization declared the spread of the virus a global pandemic, which plunged the nation and the world into health and economic crises. With continued vigilance, he said, families and friends may be able to gather to celebrate the nation’s independence.

“If we do our part, if we do this together, by July the 4th there’s a good chance you, your families and friends will be able to get together in your backyard or in your neighborhood and have a cookout and a barbecue and celebrate Independence Day,” the president said. ...

What’s in the huge pandemic relief bill for science? $1.9 trillion measure expected to become law by Friday Science | AAAS

A massive $1.9 trillion pandemic relief bill now on its way to President Joe Biden’s desk will deliver cash to a wide array of groups—including the scientific community.

The U.S. House of Representatives today approved final passage of the bill, which Biden is expected to sign on Friday, on a 220–211 party-line vote.

In Canada, residents of once-ravaged nursing homes are vaccinated but still isolated. The governor of Alaska, Mike Dunleavy, announced that all residents or workers age 16 and older would be given a coronavirus vaccine. The state has the highest inoculation rate in the U.S. nytimes

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