A panel of independent advisers begins the first stage in the process of deciding whether extra doses of the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines should be dispensed and, if so, who should get them and when.
Plus, Chicago releases new trick-or-treat guidelines ahead of Halloween.
Here's what you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic across Illinois today:
FDA Panel Endorses Lower-Dose Moderna COVID Shots for Booster
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A U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panel on Thursday endorsed administering lower-dose booster shots of the Moderna vaccine.
The health advisers to the FDA debated if millions of Americans who received Moderna vaccinations should get a booster shot -- this time, using half the original dose.
Latest update here.
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Here's Why the Moderna and J&J Booster Shot Debate is Different From Pfizer
A panel of outside of experts for the Food and Drug Administration is meeting this week to determine whether extra doses of the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines should be authorized and, if so, who should get them and when - but there are two factors complicating the matter.
Last month, the FDA authorized booster shots of Pfizer’s vaccine for older Americans and other groups with heightened vulnerability to COVID-19. Regulators took up the question of Pfizer boosters first because the company submitted its data ahead of the other vaccine makers.
Both Moderna and Johnson & Johnson have submitted requests for emergency use authorization of their booster shots of the COVID vaccines, but each with their own changes.
Read more here.
'Hell No': Chicago Police Union Head Urges Cops to Defy Vaccine Mandate
The head of the Chicago police officers union has called on its members to defy the city's requirement to report their COVID-19 vaccination status by Friday or be placed on unpaid leave, predicting a shortage of officers as the mandate takes effect this weekend.
In a two-hour meeting with more than 200 members present Wednesday evening, Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara said Lodge 7 is ready for a fight.
"Hell no is the best way I can put it, across the board," he told members.
Read more here.
Moderna, J&J Booster Shots: What to Know as FDA Panel Meets
The first step toward authorizing booster shots for millions of Americans who received the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccines begins Thursday as a panel of outside of experts for the Food and Drug Administration meets to determine its recommendation.
Last month, the FDA authorized booster shots of Pfizer’s vaccine for older Americans and other groups with heightened vulnerability to COVID-19.
Here's what you should know about booster shots and what to expect.
Chicago Releases 9 Guidelines for Trick-or-Treating This Halloween
As Halloween approaches, Chicago officials released nine guidelines for people participating in Halloween festivities, including trick-or-treating, the last week of October.
Chicago's Halloweek will take place from Oct. 23 to Oct. 30, according to a release from city officials, and involves nine major COVID-19 precautionary guidelines.
Here's guidance from the city for Halloweek.
CTU Holds Vaccination Events for Teachers, CPS Staff
The Chicago Teachers Union will hold two vaccination events this week "to encourage unvaxed workers to get their shot."
The first event will take place from 4-7 p.m. Thursday at CTU headquarters, located at 1901 W. Carroll Ave. A second will be held at the same time and place Friday.
The event will aim to vaccinate any CTU or SEIU rank and file members who have not yet received the COVID vaccine.
PCR vs. Rapid Tests: What to Know About COVID Testing in Illinois
As positive COVID-19 cases continue to appear across Illinois, residents have been searching for the latest information surrounding PCR and rapid coronavirus testing.
From how long it takes to receive test results to when health officials recommend to be tested for COVID, here's what we know.
After Delay, No Changes Made to Chicago Travel Advisory; 6 Locations Near Removal
Following a delay due to the long holiday weekend, Chicago's travel advisory remained unchanged this week, but city officials say as many as six locations could be removed from the list next week.
The advisory, updated weekly, continues to sit at 47 states and three territories after the latest look at the data, but Chicago's health department said six states and territories could come off next week.
Those include Alabama, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and the Virgin Islands.
Read more here.
How Long After Exposure Do COVID Symptoms Appear? Here's What Doctors Say
COVID-positive individuals have reported experiencing a fever, cough, shortness of breath and many other symptoms associated with the virus.
But how long does it take for symptoms to appear once a person has been exposed? And when is COVID the most transmissible?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the incubation period, the time from exposure to when one develops symptoms, ranges from two to 14 days after the initial exposure. Scientists caution, however, "the period of infectiousness" for COVID-19 is not yet known with certainty.
Read more here.
