Latest News

• November 28, 2021: WHO designated the variant B.1.1.529 a variant of concern, named Omicron. Read more.
• September 24, 2021: Updated interim guidance from CDC allows for millions of Americans who are at highest risk for COVID-19 to receive a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster shot to help increase their protection. Learn more.
• September 23, 2021: This week, the Food and Drug Administration authorized Pfizer-BioNTech Covid vaccine booster shots for certain older Americans and those considered at high risk for complications from Covid-19. Here are answers to some of your questions.
• On September 17, 2021, a government advisory panel overwhelmingly rejected a plan to give Pfizer COVID-19 booster shots across the board, and instead endorsed the extra vaccine dose only for those who are 65 or older or run a high risk of severe disease. Learn more.
• On August 23, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration fully approved the first COVID-19 vaccine. Learn more.
• On August 18, 2021, the CDC released a statement that booster shot will be needed to maximize vaccine-induced protection and prolong its durability. Learn more.
• As of April 19, all adults in every U.S. state, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. Learn more.
• On April 13, federal health agencies recommended that states immediately pause use of Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose vaccine after six recipients in the United States developed a rare disorder involving blood clots within about two weeks of vaccination. “We are recommending a pause in the use of this vaccine out of an abundance of caution,” Dr. Peter Marks, director of the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, and Dr. Anne Schuchat, principal deputy director of the C.D.C., said in a joint statement. “Right now, these adverse events appear to be extremely rare.” Learn more.
• On February 27, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the third vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19. The EUA allows the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine to be distributed in the U.S for use in individuals 18 years of age and older. The Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine is administered as a single dose. Read more.
• Visit this page to learn more about each state's vaccine distribution plan.
• New data from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs shows veterans living with ALS are three times more likely to die of COVID-19 than veterans without ALS. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and governors must make the vaccine available to people living with ALS and caregivers as soon as possible. We have sent a letter to the CDC requesting this update in vaccine access and our chapters across the country are delivering this message to governors now.
• New articles from the New York Times and The Atlantic have been added to our Resources page.
• The ALS Association hosted a COVID-19 vaccine webinar for the ALS community, with panelists Dr. Lou Libby, Dr. Richard Bedlack, Dr. Cherise Rohr-Allegrini, Dr. Urvai Desai and Dr. Marinella Galea, moderated by ALS Association Board of Trustees member Dr. Ken Menkhaus. The webinar addressed vaccine distribution and infection control issues that are specific to the concerns and interests of the ALS community. Watch here.
• The Moderna vaccine has been approved for emergency authorization and distribution is anticipated to begin immediately. You can read more about it here.

Updated: December 2021