Two FDA Reviewers Argue Against Boosters; Putin Isolating; Death in Gene Tx Trial

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Booster shots for COVID-19 are not necessary right now, a group of international and U.S. scientists argued after reviewing the existing data; the group includes two FDA vaccine reviewers who recently announced their resignations. (The Lancet)

Officials in the Biden administration continue to battle with the CDC over their booster plan, accusing the agency of withholding data necessary to carry it out. (Politico)

Meanwhile, British leaders are recommending boosters for everyone over 50 and all those deemed vulnerable. (Reuters)

So far this year, only 640 COVID deaths in the U.K. were among people who received two doses of the vaccine versus over 50,000 in those that did not (about 80% of whom were unvaccinated), according to a new study from the Office for National Statistics.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is self-isolating after people close to him tested positive, but the Kremlin said he is not positive himself and is “absolutely healthy.” (Washington Post)

The American public is pretty much evenly divided on coronavirus vaccine mandates for workers, students, and others, according to a CNN poll conducted by SSRS.

As of Tuesday morning at 8 a.m. EDT, the unofficial COVID-19 toll in the U.S. was 41,223,105 cases and 662,252 deaths, up 267,945 and 2,277, respectively, since this time Monday.

Leaders of a rural hospital in Kentucky have “no idea” how they will manage surging COVID patient loads once the federal government withdraws key medical resources on Friday. (CNN)

Don’t worry, football and baseball aren’t going anywhere, as the nation’s major pro sports leagues’ coronavirus policies are already in line with President Biden’s new mandates for businesses. (Washington Post)

Released from prison over COVID concerns, about 4,500 people now in home confinement may have to return to prison after the pandemic recedes. (NBC News)

In the Washington, D.C. area, thousands of students and teachers have already been quarantined due to potential COVID exposure just a few weeks into the school year. (Washington Post)

A fourth boy died in Astellas-Audentes’ gene therapy trial for myotubular myopathy (MTM1); the latest came after the trial had resumed at a much lower dose. (Endpoints News)

About 50 people protested outside the Maryland home of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, demanding he resign after refusing to block the new Texas law that bans most abortions. (WTOP)

The FDA classified the recall on nearly all of Eco-Med’s lotions and gels as Class I — its most serious — due to the risk of Burkholderia cepacia contamination. (Fierce Biotech)