Vaccination Rates Fall Off; India Eases Lockdown; Busy Times at FDA

Note that some links may require registration or subscription.

Declining COVID-19 vaccination rates — currently at about 1 million per day — may sink President Biden’s plan to have at least 70% of adults vaccinated by July 4. (Washington Post)

In related news, the administration’s efforts to boost vaccinations among Black Americans is falling flat. (Politico)

And “the pause” stalled enthusiasm for Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose shot. (Reuters)

As of 8 a.m. EDT, the unofficial COVID-19 toll in the U.S. included 33,363,364 cases and 597,631 deaths, increases of about 36,000 and 1,200, respectively, since the same time on Friday.

In his first major speech since leaving office, former President Trump said China should pay $10 trillion in reparations over COVID-19. (Insider)

The U.S. intends to donate 750,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines to Taiwan, a group of senators announced, following complaints that China was blocking the island from accessing vaccines. (CNBC)

New York state plans to drop indoor masking requirements in schools and camps, beginning on Monday, as long as the CDC doesn’t object; New York City will maintain its mask mandate. (NBC News)

Several NFL assistant coaches could be banned from the field if they don’t get at least a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine this week. (NFL Network)

A new type of COVID coronavirus shot, Novavax’s protein subunit vaccine, may be available as early as this summer in the U.S. (NPR)

India plans to start relaxing tough lockdown measures the country began in April, as coronavirus cases start to fall. (BBC News)

In Afghanistan, health officials say the 3 million coronavirus vaccine doses the country anticipated in April, won’t arrive until August. (AP)

Royal Caribbean International announced, vaccination will be optional for passengers of its cruise ships. (The Hill)

In other news: