Texas lawmakers supported a statewide vaccine mandate a decade ago. Now they're resisting one for COVID-19

Ten years ago, the state led in requiring meningitis vaccines for students under 22 enrolling in college. Now, in the middle of a pandemic, lawmakers are more skeptical of a COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

Huntsville doctor and radio station team up against misinformation about COVID-19 vaccine

Parts of rural Texas have faced numerous challenges during the pandemic, but a local doctor and radio station are working together to turn the tide in COVID-19 hospitalizations.

Huntsville doctor and radio station team up against misinformation about COVID-19 vaccine
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Parts of rural Texas have faced numerous challenges during the pandemic. Our Maria Salazar spent the day in Walker County to see how a local doctor and radio station are working together to turn the tide in COVID-19 hospitalizations.

Harris Co. judge announces expansion with COVID-19 vaccine incentives amid successful trend

The expansion comes days after residents were offered $150 to get the COVID-19 vaccine and since then, Judge Hidalgo says they've seen a successful trend of people rolling up their sleeves and getting the shot.

Pfizer-BioNTech seeks FDA approval for third dose of its COVID-19 vaccine

In a statement released by the company on Wednesday, Pfizer-BioNTech said patients who received a booster shot up to eight months after their two-dose regimen were given three times the protection from the novel coronavirus.

Abbott adds vaccine mandate ban to Special Session agenda

He also has issued a new executive order maintaining the ban on mandating COVID-19 vaccinations by Texas government entities.

New program in Houston offers up to $150 for getting vaccinated against COVID-19

Under a new incentive program beginning Thursday, those getting vaccinated against COVID-19 at eligible Houston Health Department sites can get a $100 gift card for their first dose and a $50 gift card for their second dose.

Moderna requests FDA grant priority review to its COVID-19 vaccine

Moderna has asked the FDA for priority review of its COVID-19 vaccine, which would allow the FDA to take action within a six-month window, rather than the typical 10-month time frame.

US troops must get COVID-19 vaccines ASAP, Pentagon says

Military troops must immediately begin to get the COVID-19 vaccine, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a memo Wednesday, ordering service leaders to “impose ambitious timelines for implementation.”

J&J COVID-19 booster shot generates 'robust' antibody response, company says

Johnson & Johnson said new data support a booster dose of its COVID-19 vaccine eight months after inoculation, showing a 9-fold antibody level increase.

Parents fight against mask mandates
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Despite the current surge in COVID-19 cases and the lack of vaccines for children under the age of 12, parents across the country are fighting against mask mandates for the new school year. A few from the Houston area joined The Factor Uncensored to explain why they feel the mandates are an infringement on their freedoms and personal choice as parents.

Local researchers working on COVID-19 vaccine for children
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FOX 26 Reporter Natalie Hee has more on what some local researchers are doing to help in the fight against COVID-19.

Battling cancer and unable to get vaccine, teacher dies from COVID-19 complications

Kelly Peterson was being treated for leukemia and had a compromised immune system. Her doctor decided the vaccine may be too hard on her body and suggested she wait, but despite wearing a mask, she became infected with COVID-19 and died. Her family hopes Kelly's story will inspire others to get vaccinated.

COVID-19 vaccines prevented nearly 140,000 US deaths, NIH study says

The National Institute of Health conducted a study that found if it weren’t for the COVID-19 vaccines, the virus could have killed nearly 140,000 more people in the U.S.

Pfizer CEO says COVID-19 vaccine-resistant variant likely to emerge

Pfizer CEO said the company believes a COVID-19 vaccine-resistant variant will likely one day emerge, though said a system is in place to quickly turn around a variant-specific jab.

No off-label prescribing COVID-19 vaccines to kids under 12: FDA

Physicians often use off-label prescribing when medical products are approved, a top FDA official said, but that it wouldn't be appropriate in this case.