COVID-19 vaccines Archives

President Biden speaks at the White House and passes federal vaccine mandate

Are Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine mandates legal?

The presidential vaccination directives would have been a “slam dunk” if they were issued a year ago, says Northeastern’s public health law expert, Wendy Parmet. But the way the Supreme Court and other courts have ruled against federal mandates lately, “I’m not quite so sure,” she adds.

by Peter Ramjug September 16, 2021

“We’re in a very different situation than the one we were in at this time last year,” said David Madigan, healthcare statistician and Northeastern Provost. “We are now in a mode of living with COVID-19 rather than trying to hide.” Screenshot by Northeastern University

COVID-19 and the new normal: What do cases mean in a vaccinated community?

Across the world, we’ve seen COVID-19 cases go up again due to the Delta variant. And some of those infections have been breakthrough cases in which fully vaccinated people test positive for COVID-19. But is it all bad news? We spoke with healthcare statistician and Northeastern Provost, David Madigan to make sense of the often confusing COVID-19 data, and to explain what is worth paying attention to as we learn to live with COVID. “You want to avoid getting it, but we can’t put our lives on hold,” he says.

by Eva Botkin-Kowacki September 2, 2021

Here’s how to make sense of the new guidance on booster shots. Photo by Ruby Wallau/Northeastern University

Why the Biden administration now says we need booster shots for COVID-19

New research reveals that COVID-19 vaccine protections began to decline in the middle of the summer when the delta variant was sweeping through the nation. “As we get new information, as the data provides new clues and a new direction in terms of what we need to do, we have to then respond accordingly,” says Neil Maniar, professor of public health practice at Northeastern.

by Eva Botkin-Kowacki August 18, 2021

Firefighters search for survivors inside a collapsed building, after Saturday´s 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Les Cayes, Haiti. AP Photo/Joseph Odelyn

Earthquake that rocked Haiti could trigger COVID-19 spike as assistance rushes in

Haitians, facing structural and political instability after the Aug. 14 earthquake, could face a deadly COVID-19 surge due to low vaccination rates and potential exposure from outside agencies, say Northeastern experts.

by Hillary Chabot August 17, 2021

Could there be an even more effective vaccine? This professor thinks so.

Existing COVID-19 vaccines have far surpassed public health officials’ expectations. But could they be improved upon even further? Yes, says Sidi Bencherif, assistant professor of chemical engineering at Northeastern. Here’s how.

by Eva Botkin-Kowacki August 12, 2021

Vial of the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine

After the Johnson & Johnson pause, enthusiasm for COVID-19 vaccines remains steady, U.S. survey shows

Despite high awareness of the temporary halt on the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, U.S. respondents remained eager to get vaccinated, according to a survey by researchers from Northeastern, Harvard, Northwestern, and Rutgers. But daily vaccination rates are declining nationally as those who most wanted the shots got them. A “hard core” group of respondents remain resistant.

by Peter Ramjug May 11, 2021

Everyone in the U.S. over the age of 16 is eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as of April 19, 2021–a crucial step to bringing about the end of the pandemic. Photo by Ruby Wallau/Northeastern University

So you’re eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. Now what?

Now that everyone in the U.S. over the age of 16 is eligible for COVID-19 vaccination, here’s how you can get your shots and do your part to protect the pack and support safety on campus and in the community.

by Eva Botkin-Kowacki April 18, 2021

A nurse prepares a dose of China's Sinopharm vaccine during a priority COVID-19 vaccination of health workers at a public hospital in Lima, Peru, on Feb. 10, 2021. Peru received its first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines on Sunday night. AP Photo by Martin Mejia

Will China’s global investment in ‘vaccine diplomacy’ pay off?

While the U.S. has been focused on curbing COVID-19 domestically, China, India, and other countries have been offering vaccines in hope of strengthening their alliances during the pandemic—a policy that carries risk, say three Northeastern professors.

by Ian Thomsen February 23, 2021

Boxes containing the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine are prepared to be shipped at the McKesson distribution center in Olive Branch, Miss., Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. AP Photo by Paul Sancya, Pool

Here’s a 4-step plan to rescue the US vaccination program

The U.S. must create a national system for delivering and administering COVID-19 vaccinations, says Nada Sanders, distinguished professor of supply chain management at Northeastern.

by Ian Thomsen January 28, 2021

COVID-19 vaccines