Coronavirus vaccine and Delta variant updates for 10-05-2021

<p>This is Vaccine 411, the latest coronavirus vaccine information for October 5th, 2021.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>They had a dream, they gave it a shot, but it didn’t work out. New Zealand has admitted it will not be able to completely get rid of the coronavirus. They’ve had a zero-tolerance approach from the beginning with strict lockdowns and aggressive contact tracing. In a country of 5 million, only 27 virus deaths have been reported. But a delta outbreak has made the government realize they’re going to have to ease lockdown restrictions, even though COVID is still around.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The EU’s drug regulator gave its backing to giving booster shots of Pfizer to everyone 18 and older, saying doses “may be considered at least 6 months after the second dose.” They also support a third dose of Pfizer or Moderna for those with severely weakened immune systems at least 28 days after their second shot.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Johnson &amp; Johnson is reportedly going to ask the FDA this week to authorize a booster of its vaccine. A meeting of the agency’s expert advisory committee will happen on the 15th to discuss the matter. Over 15 million Americans have gotten the one dose Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine. The company says a second shot about two months after the first increased effectiveness to 94%.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>In another head spinning reversal, the CDC quickly removed the guidance for holiday safety that they put out a couple of days prior, saying it was old information posted in error. That explains a lot as the guidance was as severe and restrictive as for the holidays of 2020. The organization said it will be sharing updated guidance soon.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Is the pandemic pushing the world into the automation revolution? Last year’s grape harvest in Italy was so bad for Mirko Cappelli’s Tuscan vineyard because he couldn’t get workers that this year, he spent $98,000 on a grape-picking robot. And he’s not alone. Vintners have been slow to adopt automation because of worry it might damage the grapes. Some