Racism is a 'public health threat,' Biden says in new HIV/AIDS strategy

In its new HIV/AIDS strategy released Wednesday on the annual commemoration of World AIDS Day, the Biden administration is calling racism “a public health threat” that must be fully recognized as the world looks to end the epidemic.

Biden encourages young girl with stutter, invites her to White House

President Joe Biden, who has been open about having a speech impediment his whole life, was seen giving words of encouragement to a young girl in Massachusetts who has a stutter, even inviting her to the White House.

Omicron-specific vaccine testing underway: Moderna chairman responds to first omicron variant detected in US

Moderna chairman Noubar Afeyan joined "The Claman Countdown" Wednesday shortly after the first case of the omicron variant was reportedly detected in the U.S. to express concern for the nature of the new strand.

First U.S. case of omicron COVID-19 variant detected in California

The first U.S. case of the omicron COVID-19 variant has been detected in California, the White House announced Wednesday.

At historic Supreme Court abortion arguments, conservatives signal changes

Supreme Court justices on Wednesday are weighing whether to uphold a Mississippi law that bans abortion after 15 weeks and overrule the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision.

Omicron variant: Airlines must ID passengers who traveled through southern Africa, CDC says

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has ordered all airlines to turn over the names of passengers who have traveled to southern African countries now under travel restrictions.

Gilead says it expects remdesivir to remain effective against omicron variant

Gilead Sciences, the maker of Veklury, said it expects the antiviral drug to remain effective against the new omicron variant and will conduct further testing.

Mask mandate for Pennsylvania K-12 schools remains for now, justices rule

Pennsylvania's high court says that for now, an order requiring masks inside Pennsylvania’s K-12 schools and child care facilities will remain in place.

US improves surveillance for tracking new coronavirus variants

Viruses mutate constantly. To find and track new versions of the coronavirus, scientists analyze the genetic makeup of a portion of samples that test positive.

Wolf says urging vaccine shots is his containment strategy

Gov. Tom Wolf is urging people to get vaccinated and suggests he isn't considering additional containment measures as the omicron variant of the coronavirus spreads overseas.

COVID-19 vaccine makers exploring if omicron versions of shots are needed

Officials from Moderna and Pfizer are assessing their responses to the new COVID-19 variant omicron and say it will take months to develop a tweaked shot if needed.

Health officials work to understand and contain omicron variant

Health officials across the globe are monitoring the spread of the omicron variant. They say it could cause a worldwide surge in new COVID cases.

Omicron variant: CDC expands COVID-19 booster recommendation to all adults 18 and older

"Everyone ages 18 and older should get a booster shot either when they are 6 months after their initial Pfizer or Moderna series or 2 months after their initial J&J vaccine," the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

Holiday pandemic travel: TSA screens nearly 2.5M people on Sunday alone

Nearly 2.5 million people were screened by TSA agents on Sunday alone, setting a new record for holiday travel during the pandemic.

WHO says omicron variant poses 'very high risk'

The U.N. health agency, in a technical paper issued to member states, said "considerable uncertainties” remain about the variant that was first detected days ago in southern Africa.

Biden COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers blocked in 10 states

A federal judge has blocked President Joe Biden's administration from enforcing a coronavirus vaccine mandate on health care workers in 10 states.