US launches new global vaccine access program; more K-12 students in Indiana test positive for COVID: Live updates The U.S. will allocate more resources toward international vaccine access as the omicron variant is identified in more countries. Latest COVID news. YahooNews

The U.S. is expanding its aid for international COVID-19 vaccine access.

New York City will implement vaccine mandate for all private sector workers All private sector employers in New York City will now be required to implement a Covid-19 vaccine mandate by Dec. 27, the city’s mayor, Bill de Blasio, announced Monday. By <a href="/profiles/ivana-kottasova">Ivana Kottasová</a> and Kathryn Snowdon, CNN CNN

...Public sector workers were already subject to vaccine mandates.  

With the first case of omicron confirmed in California and more cases expected across the U.S., public health officials who know the difference between good and bad crisis communication say they can't afford to be quiet and wait until scientists know how risky the new variant is before they speak out.

"We don't want to just be silent on the matter, because then that can cause fear and then that can allow for misinformation to creep in," says Elya Franciscus, the epidemiology operations manager for COVID-19 in Harris County, Texas.