Coronavirus vaccine and COVID variant updates for 12-10-2021

<p>This is Vaccine 411, the latest coronavirus vaccine information for December 10th, 2021.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The number of COVID deaths in the US has been horrific, but researchers are again saying those deaths have been vastly undercounted. Especially among Native, Hispanic and Black Americans. New data at the county level for 2020 and January through October of this year gives more detail than ever, including where someone died, what other causes of death were on the death certificate, and whether a body was autopsied. Looking at the new data, public health experts say the true death toll is at least 20% higher than the official tally. That means the number of Americans who have died from the virus could be close to 1 million.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The FDA gave emergency authorization for 16- and 17-year-olds to get Pfizer’s booster once they're six months beyond their last dose. The CDC followed up hours later with a strong recommendation encouraging those teens to get the shot as soon as possible.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Being an anti-vaxxer in Austria is getting expensive. There are now plans to impose fines of nearly $4,000 on anyone who flouts the vaccine mandate coming in February to all residents 14 and over. It’s the first European country to implement a general vaccine mandate. </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>If your problem with the vaccine is that it’s not natural enough, how about a plant-based one? GlaxoSmithKline seems to have one that in tests has been shown to be 71% effective at protecting against COVID. Here’s where the irony kicks in. GlaxoSmithKline’s partner is Medicago, a subsidiary of Philip Morris, the cigarette people. And the plant being used is a close relative of tobacco. &nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>A new survey from the Public Religion Research Institute shows only 10% of Americans believe getting a COVID vaccine conflicts with their religious beliefs. 59% even say too many people are using religious beliefs as an excuse. 60% say there’s no valid religious reason to refuse a vaccine. They’re a bit more