Coronavirus Update: ​​American teens can receive Novavax's jab

Plus: The Covid-19 headlines you need to know, a distraction, and something to read.

View this email in your browser  |  Manage newsletter subscriptions By Eve Sneider | 08.22.22 As the news keeps evolving, we're here to bring you the most reliable coverage of the coronavirus pandemic. Subscribe to support our journalism. Novavax's shot is cleared for teens, the Philippines resumes in-person school, and faults in Iran's vaccine rollout come to light. Here's what you should know: Headlines Novavax's shot is approved for use in American teens (CNN) The FDA authorized Novavax's Covid vaccine for Americans ages 12 to 17 last Friday, around a month after it was approved for adults. The shot uses protein-based technology—a more traditional approach to immunization than mRNA—which has also been used for inoculations against diseases like hepatitis B and whooping cough. Though the drugmaker has said its vaccine protects against a variety of strains, including BA.4 and BA.5, it is currently working on an updated version that specifically targets Omicron and its subvariants. The Philippines is one of the last countries to reopen schools (Al Jazeera) More than two years after school went virtual, primary and secondary school students in the Philippines finally masked up and returned to in-person classes today, making it one of the last countries to fully reopen schools. The Philippines was hit hard by Covid, and officials had previously expressed concern that resuming in-person classes would cause new outbreaks. But many are also troubled by the impact that two years of virtual school have had on literacy rates and childhood development. Details about Iran's bungled vaccine rollout emerge (Washington Post) A new investigation details Iran's flawed vaccine rollout process last year. The country faced a number of obstacles procuring shots from overseas, so in June of 2021, regulators there approved a vaccine made by an Iranian company called Barkat. But at the time of its approval, it hadn't begun Phase 3 trials, and the only data on the shot that was publicly available had to do with its impact on animals. The company then failed to meet its delivery targets. In the end, most Iranians who were vaccinated in the past year received shots manufactured in China. Science Spotlight Here's What Happens When Countries Use Bikes to Fight Emissions How much could a country cut emissions if it successfully got people out of their cars and onto two wheels? Pretty dramatically, researchers found. How Long Droughts Make Flooding Worse Weirdly, soil is most absorbent when it's already a little damp. When droughts dry the ground out, flooding runs the risk of getting even worse. Daily Distraction As AI algorithms get more sophisticated and readily accessible, creatives are growing concerned about what could happen to their jobs. Something to Read Last spring, graduating high school students in Illinois joined forces to pull off an elaborate senior prank—and one of the largest rickrolls of all time. Sanity Check Working from home has its challenges. Coworking remotely with other people can help you stay happier, and more focused. GET WIRED Get 1 year of WIRED for less than $1 per month. That includes Steven Levy's exclusive newsletter and a free tote! Subscribe now. Have questions or comments? Reply to this email.   This email was sent to you by WIRED. To ensure delivery to your inbox (not bulk or junk folders), please add our email address, wired@newsletters.wired.com, to your address book.   View our Privacy Policy Unsubscribe or Manage your newsletter subscriptions   Copyright © Condé Nast 2022. One World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007. All rights reserved.