Here's some of today's COVID-19 headlines:
NYC mayor says he's not reinstating a mask mandate
As health officials warn of rising Covid-19 infections and hospitalizations, the mayor of New York said the city would not reinstate mask mandates at this time.
"I'm proud of what we are doing and how we are not allowing Covid to outstmart us," Mayor Eric Adams said during a Wednesday news conference, after he was asked about reinstating a mandate, specifically in the city's schools. "We're staying prepared and not panicking."
To defend his stance, Adams cited what he said were stable hospitalization numbers and deaths across the city, as well as Covid-19 testing in schools.
Read more of what he said here:
CDC advisers urge Pfizer booster for children ages 5 to 11
Kids ages 5 to 11 should get a booster dose of Pfizerβs COVID-19 vaccine, advisers to the U.S. government said Thursday.
If the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention agrees, as expected, it would open a third COVID-19 shot to healthy elementary-age kids β just like what is already recommended for everybody 12 and older.
The hope is that an extra shot will shore up protection for kids ages 5 to 11 as infections once again are on the rise.
Get more information here:
North Korea's COVID woes
Three North Korean cargo planes flew to China and back on Monday, as the country battles an fast-spreading outbreak of Covid-19, according to a South Korean government official with knowledge of the matter.
The planes traveled to Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, in China's northeast Liaoning province, the official said.
It's unknown what the planes were carrying, but the rare trip came after China pledged to help North Korea with its Covid outbreak
North Korea on Thursday reported 262,270 more suspected COVID-19 cases as its pandemic caseload neared 2 million β a week after the country acknowledged the outbreak and scrambled to slow infections in its unvaccinated population.
Read more here:
More Americans apply for jobless benefits last week
More Americans applied for jobless aid last week, but the total number of Americans collecting unemployment benefits is at a 53-year low.
Applications for unemployment benefits rose by 21,000 to 218,000 for the week ending May 14, the Labor Department reported Thursday. First-time applications generally track the number of layoffs.
The four-week average for claims, which smooths out some of the weekly volatility, rose 8,250 from the previous week to 199,500.
Get more data here:
***
Get more of today's COVID-19 news here:
How child vaccination rates for COVID-19 compare across every state
How child vaccination rates for COVID-19 compare across every state
Updated
As of the last week of April 2022, just over 1,100 children in the United States have died from COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For comparison, nearly 1 million adults have died in the same time frame. Lower death and hospitalization rates among people 18 and younger may indicate that children experience COVID-19 less severely.
Despite a generally milder illness, schools have been upended during the pandemic, and children have suffered socially, emotionally, and academically from two years of shutdowns and social distancing measures. To combat more systemic disruptions and protect communities on a larger scale, the Food and Drug Administration fully authorized the Pfizer vaccine for people 16 and over and granted emergency authorization for children between 5 and 16. Neither the Moderna nor Johnson & Johnson vaccines are authorizedβeven on an emergency basisβfor those under 18.
CitingΒ data compiled by the CDC and the Department of Health and Human Services,Β HeyTutor looked at vaccination rates among children in every state in the U.S. and Washington D.C. Booster shots areΒ not yet recommended for children under 12. States are ranked by vaccination rates among children ages 5-11 as of Apr. 29, 2022.
There are 73 million children under the age of 18 in the U.S., representing almost one-quarter of the total population. Nationally, about 30% of children between the ages of 5 and 11, and 60% of children between 12 and 17 are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Still, concerns about the vaccine persist, with parents questioning its efficacy as well as both its short- and long-term side effects. And while many parents share the same concerns, the strength of those misgivings varies by demographic, geographic, and political lines, according to a recurring survey conducted by the COVID States Project. The project consisted of a multi-university group of researchers from Northeastern, Harvard, Rutgers, and Northwestern Universities. The survey polled nearly 23,000 individuals from the end of December 2021 to late January 2022.
College-educated parents are more likely to vaccinate their children than parents without a college degree, for example. And when looking at parental income as an indicator of vaccination likelihood, 81% of the highest earnersβpeople making at least $150,000 annuallyβreported they are likely to vaccinate their children compared to 46% of parents earning $25,000 or less.
Parents in the Northeastern and Western U.S. are more likely to vaccinate their teenagers than parents in Midwestern and Southern states. Vaccine likelihood varies significantly between urban and rural breakdowns as well, with parents of teenagers in rural areas reporting they are less likelyβby nearly 20 percentage pointsβto vaccinate their children.
Vaccine hesitancy is higherβand growingβamong parents of children between 5 and 11. When looking at the parental political affiliation of this age bracket, 42% of Republican parents surveyed in January 2022 say they are likely to vaccinate their kids compared to 55% of Independents and 76% of Democrats. Among all three groups, the proportion of parents expressing the likelihood of vaccinating their children declined since September 2021.
Politics is playing an increasingly large and sometimes disproportionate role in communication about the COVID-19 vaccine for children. An Associated Press investigation found the anti-vaccine group Childrenβs Health Defenseβrun by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.βmore than doubled its revenue in the first year of the pandemic to $6.8 million. AP reported the group targets and spreads misinformation to people already more likely to not trust the vaccine, including mothers and Black Americans.
Since the fall of 2021, Asian and Hispanic parents are consistently more likely to vaccinate their children, while white and Black parents report a lower likelihood.
As the end of this school year approaches and administrators plan for the fall, COVID-19 vaccine mandates for students will be an ongoing conversation. Currently, four statesβCalifornia, Illinois, Louisiana, and New Yorkβas well as Washington D.C. have implemented some type of mandate that will be implemented in the fall. Nineteen states have banned them.
Read on to learn more about child vaccination rates in your state.
#51. Alabama
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 10.1% (42,674)
--- Ages 12-17: 34.9% (129,878)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 15.3% (64,522)
--- Ages 12-17: 44.3% (164,918)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 12.0% (15,522)
#50. Louisiana
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 11.9% (50,351)
--- Ages 12-17: 38.9% (140,840)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 16.8% (71,208)
--- Ages 12-17: 47.3% (171,381)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 12.7% (17,892)
#49. Mississippi
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 12.2% (33,091)
--- Ages 12-17: 38.1% (92,936)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 15.4% (41,883)
--- Ages 12-17: 45.8% (111,606)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 11.2% (10,416)
#48. Wyoming
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 14.3% (7,614)
--- Ages 12-17: 36.5% (16,672)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 17.4% (9,241)
--- Ages 12-17: 41.8% (19,081)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 18.6% (3,098)
#47. West Virginia
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 15.1% (21,354)
--- Ages 12-17: 43.2% (54,056)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 19.4% (27,439)
--- Ages 12-17: 49.1% (61,458)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 18.7% (10,090)
#46. Tennessee
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 15.4% (89,993)
--- Ages 12-17: 38.5% (198,984)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 18.5% (108,417)
--- Ages 12-17: 45.3% (233,911)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 17.3% (34,365)
#45. Oklahoma
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 15.8% (59,602)
--- Ages 12-17: 45.0% (144,253)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 20.0% (75,201)
--- Ages 12-17: 54.5% (174,688)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 14.0% (20,139)
#44. Georgia
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 15.9% (154,716)
--- Ages 12-17: 42.7% (373,646)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 21.7% (210,698)
--- Ages 12-17: 53.2% (465,238)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 15.8% (59,081)
#43. Arkansas
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 16.7% (45,549)
--- Ages 12-17: 45.5% (109,103)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 23.2% (63,256)
--- Ages 12-17: 56.0% (134,204)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 15.4% (16,776)
#42. Indiana
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 16.7% (101,756)
--- Ages 12-17: 41.1% (222,228)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 23.8% (144,806)
--- Ages 12-17: 47.9% (259,015)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 23.8% (52,933)
#41. Idaho
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 17.2% (30,164)
--- Ages 12-17: 39.8% (62,365)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 19.9% (34,854)
--- Ages 12-17: 44.7% (69,903)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: .4% (221)
#40. South Carolina
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 17.3% (75,659)
--- Ages 12-17: 44.0% (168,119)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 22.1% (96,213)
--- Ages 12-17: 52.0% (198,705)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 15.4% (25,810)
#39. Nevada
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 18.8% (51,386)
--- Ages 12-17: 51.0% (119,389)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 24.2% (65,944)
--- Ages 12-17: 65.4% (153,291)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 16.4% (19,602)
#38. Kentucky
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 18.9% (73,585)
--- Ages 12-17: 44.2% (150,957)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 23.2% (90,400)
--- Ages 12-17: 51.1% (174,345)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 19.6% (29,578)
#37. Florida
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 19.6% (321,266)
--- Ages 12-17: 55.2% (799,283)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 24.9% (408,550)
--- Ages 12-17: 66.4% (962,021)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 15.4% (122,965)
#36. Missouri
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 19.7% (105,286)
--- Ages 12-17: 44.1% (206,559)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 25.4% (135,643)
--- Ages 12-17: 51.9% (243,150)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 20.0% (41,410)
#35. North Dakota
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 20.0% (14,115)
--- Ages 12-17: 40.7% (22,520)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 24.8% (17,516)
--- Ages 12-17: 48.1% (26,634)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 8.0% (1,799)
#34. Montana
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 20.4% (18,382)
--- Ages 12-17: 44.0% (34,085)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 25.9% (23,280)
--- Ages 12-17: 51.4% (39,815)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 19.8% (6,746)
#33. Ohio
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 22.8% (227,812)
--- Ages 12-17: 44.5% (395,911)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 26.1% (259,948)
--- Ages 12-17: 49.2% (437,981)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 26.4% (104,466)
#32. Kansas
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 23.6% (65,163)
--- Ages 12-17: 52.2% (124,561)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 30.1% (83,125)
--- Ages 12-17: 61.8% (147,492)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 21.7% (27,076)
#31. North Carolina
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 23.9% (213,776)
--- Ages 12-17: 50.1% (399,943)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 31.7% (283,057)
--- Ages 12-17: 65.8% (525,436)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 14.1% (56,457)
#30. Texas
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 24.0% (696,645)
--- Ages 12-17: 57.9% (1,449,864)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 35.6% (1,034,263)
--- Ages 12-17: 73.5% (1,840,265)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 16.6% (241,160)
#29. South Dakota
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 24.5% (20,940)
--- Ages 12-17: 49.0% (34,601)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 30.6% (26,121)
--- Ages 12-17: 63.1% (44,514)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 18.4% (6,356)
#28. Iowa
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 24.5% (69,450)
--- Ages 12-17: 49.1% (121,913)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 27.7% (78,353)
--- Ages 12-17: 54.5% (135,129)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 23.9% (29,122)
#27. Alaska
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 25.2% (18,058)
--- Ages 12-17: 57.2% (32,759)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 30.9% (22,101)
--- Ages 12-17: 63.2% (36,240)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 24.8% (8,128)
#26. Arizona
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 25.4% (162,968)
--- Ages 12-17: 56.7% (321,571)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 34.8% (223,417)
--- Ages 12-17: 69.9% (396,841)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 22.0% (70,886)
#25. Michigan
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 25.6% (211,638)
--- Ages 12-17: 47.3% (355,379)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 29.0% (239,567)
--- Ages 12-17: 52.2% (392,342)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 28.3% (100,424)
#24. Nebraska
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 27.5% (51,236)
--- Ages 12-17: 54.7% (87,087)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 31.8% (59,186)
--- Ages 12-17: 60.6% (96,333)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 26.1% (22,695)
#23. Utah
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 28.2% (103,330)
--- Ages 12-17: 60.1% (190,718)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 35.0% (128,067)
--- Ages 12-17: 68.0% (215,803)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 21.5% (40,954)
#22. Delaware
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 28.3% (22,446)
--- Ages 12-17: 61.5% (42,798)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 35.7% (28,308)
--- Ages 12-17: 72.1% (50,182)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 25.8% (11,047)
#21. Wisconsin
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 29.9% (147,329)
--- Ages 12-17: 54.3% (240,957)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 33.5% (164,732)
--- Ages 12-17: 59.9% (266,013)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 29.1% (70,067)
#20. New Hampshire
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 30.6% (29,842)
--- Ages 12-17: 59.4% (55,922)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 41.0% (39,967)
--- Ages 12-17: 74.2% (69,839)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 29.2% (16,306)
#19. Pennsylvania
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 30.7% (314,215)
--- Ages 12-17: 56.9% (519,941)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 37.5% (383,807)
--- Ages 12-17: 69.5% (634,971)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 23.8% (123,822)
#18. Oregon
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 32.3% (110,533)
--- Ages 12-17: 63.4% (187,985)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 39.9% (136,527)
--- Ages 12-17: 70.4% (208,855)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 33.8% (63,631)
#17. New Mexico
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 32.8% (61,865)
--- Ages 12-17: 68.3% (113,759)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 43.5% (81,903)
--- Ages 12-17: 82.5% (137,335)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 28.9% (32,901)
#16. Colorado
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 34.0% (166,959)
--- Ages 12-17: 64.7% (282,848)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 41.0% (200,956)
--- Ages 12-17: 72.4% (316,392)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 30.1% (85,011)
#15. California
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 35.5% (1,237,246)
--- Ages 12-17: 72.9% (2,208,793)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 42.7% (1,485,883)
--- Ages 12-17: 83.5% (2,528,442)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 28.7% (634,239)
#14. Washington
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 35.7% (234,418)
--- Ages 12-17: 68.4% (375,409)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 40.9% (268,697)
--- Ages 12-17: 75.0% (411,609)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 32.8% (123,133)
#13. New Jersey
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 36.4% (272,997)
--- Ages 12-17: 72.1% (486,303)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 43.4% (325,000)
--- Ages 12-17: 82.9% (559,265)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 27.1% (132,014)
#12. New York
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 37.0% (575,460)
--- Ages 12-17: 72.8% (981,505)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 43.2% (671,052)
--- Ages 12-17: 82.7% (1,115,278)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 24.9% (244,138)
#11. District of Columbia
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 37.3% (18,860)
--- Ages 12-17: 77.6% (24,977)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 55.0% (27,868)
--- Ages 12-17: 95.0% (33,550)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 25.8% (6,446)
#10. Illinois
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 38.0% (412,841)
--- Ages 12-17: 64.5% (634,300)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 42.9% (465,825)
--- Ages 12-17: 70.8% (696,398)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 28.6% (181,354)
#9. Minnesota
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 38.6% (196,828)
--- Ages 12-17: 62.4% (275,581)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 43.5% (221,850)
--- Ages 12-17: 66.1% (291,947)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 33.4% (92,078)
#8. Virginia
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 39.9% (288,501)
--- Ages 12-17: 73.2% (462,937)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 47.0% (339,872)
--- Ages 12-17: 82.8% (523,256)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 28.4% (131,414)
#7. Maryland
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 41.9% (218,475)
--- Ages 12-17: 77.2% (349,060)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 48.5% (252,380)
--- Ages 12-17: 87.2% (394,183)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 31.3% (109,425)
#6. Hawaii
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 42.0% (50,268)
--- Ages 12-17: 84.0% (79,848)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 47.8% (57,201)
--- Ages 12-17: 92.6% (88,095)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 30.1% (24,006)
#5. Connecticut
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 42.5% (117,968)
--- Ages 12-17: 77.0% (206,433)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 50.6% (140,492)
--- Ages 12-17: 91.1% (244,118)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 29.6% (61,090)
#4. Maine
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 43.0% (41,209)
--- Ages 12-17: 69.2% (62,017)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 47.9% (45,878)
--- Ages 12-17: 76.1% (68,128)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 34.7% (21,547)
#3. Massachusetts
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 49.5% (256,777)
--- Ages 12-17: 78.7% (375,470)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 60.1% (311,463)
--- Ages 12-17: 95.0% (454,181)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 33.4% (125,513)
#2. Rhode Island
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 50.7% (39,248)
--- Ages 12-17: 81.6% (59,245)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 59.4% (45,921)
--- Ages 12-17: 93.7% (68,033)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 30.9% (18,312)
#1. Vermont
Updated
- Children fully vaccinated:
--- Ages 5-11: 58.8% (25,853)
--- Ages 12-17: 81.3% (33,288)
- With at least one dose:
--- Ages 5-11: 66.0% (29,017)
--- Ages 12-17: 91.1% (37,306)
- With booster dose:
--- Ages 12-17: 48.4% (16,105)
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