Moderna working on COVID-19 vaccine booster for South African variant
Moderna is planning a clinical trial to test a COVID-19 vaccine booster intended to provide stronger protection against B1351 and potentially against future variants, including more contagious strain of the virus first identified in South Africa. The neutralizing antibody response to the B1351 variant was six times weaker than those the vaccine produced for prior COVID-19 variants, the company said Monday. New York Post
New Mexico: Taos County honored for safety
Taos County, along with 12 other counties in the state, was recognized by New Mexico Counties with a 2020 Risk Awareness Program Award. The county was recognized for successfully completing year ten of the Risk Awareness Program, and for reducing workers’ compensation claims by 27 percent and multi-line claims by 11 percent. Taos News
Controversial bill would add Virginia appeals court judges
Some Republicans say a proposal to add four to six new judges to Virginia’s Court of Appeals is “court packing.” Under current Virginia law, the only cases granted automatic hearings with the appeals court are those involving domestic issues, such as divorces and adoptions; workers’ compensation claims; and administrative law cases. CBS 19 (Charlottesville, Va.)
Will COVID-19 vaccines spawn lawsuits?
When it comes to COVID-19, the biggest risk isn’t rare side effects from vaccines shown to be safe and effective in large-scale clinical trials. The biggest risk is not being vaccinated, write Dr. Stephen Prescott, president of the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, and Adam Cohen, senior vice president and general counsel. The Oklahoman
As heatwaves become more extreme, which jobs are riskiest?
When it comes to heat, some jobs are much more dangerous and put employees at higher risk of injury. Australian death records may substantially underestimate the association between heat and mortality; and, chronic heat stress is also underreported. What industries and employees are the most at-risk? The Conversation