Coronavirus vaccine and Delta variant updates for 9-24-2021

<p>This is Vaccine 411, the latest coronavirus vaccine information for September 24th, 2021.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>A CDC advisory panel recommended a booster shot of the Pfizer vaccine for Americans 65 and older and some adults with underlying medical conditions that put them at risk of severe disease. What it declined to do was recommend boosters for younger adults, including healthcare workers, who live or work in places with high risk of contracting COVID-19.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Boy we hope this is true. The creator of the AstraZeneca vaccine says COVID-19 is unlikely to mutate into a deadlier variant and will eventually end up like the common cold. Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert said viruses tend to “become less virulent as they circulate” through the population. She also points out we already live with four different human coronaviruses and this one will become just another.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>No choice this time. All Team USA athletes and staff will need to be fully vaccinated to compete at the Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Beijing that kick off in February 2022. Proof must be submitted by December 1 and the Olympic Committee added booster shots “may be required in the future.” </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>England’s Covid travel rules aren’t exactly winning raves. The country is refusing to recognize vaccines administered across Latin America, Africa, and south Asia. Critics call it illogical and discriminatory. Those without recognized vaccines will be considered “not fully vaccinated” and made to quarantine 10 days on arrival from amber list countries.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>It was a joke. “Hey maybe some people will hold COVID parties to deliberately infect themselves like people used to do for their kids with chicken pox.” But now it’s not a joke, because a group of people in Alberta, Canada actually did it. Well, it worked, several attendees are now in the hospital, some in ICU. The Health Minister said it’s irresponsible and puts the health care system under “unprecedented pressure.”</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>In the Unite