Top COVID-19 news

^{Amid the pandemic, news is fast-moving – and sometimes confusing. Coverage is here to help. Our new series provides a clear, fact-based digest of the top news for health consumers.}

Crucial hearing for first vaccine in U.S.

On Dec. 10, a panel of independent scientific experts will meet publicly to decide whether the vaccine produced by Pfizer and BioNTech is safe and effective enough to recommend emergency use authorization to the Food and Drug Administration. If approved, Pfizer will immediately begin distributing the vaccine to states nationwide.

What do we know so far? The vaccine has been widely tested and independently reviewed. According to FDA scientists who released their first review of drug trial data on Dec. 8, the vaccine was 95% effective after two doses given three weeks apart – and even offers strong protection within 10 days of the first dose. Approximately 19,000 volunteers in several countries received the shots, and there were no serious side effects. The vaccine has been approved in England, which began administering it Dec. 8.

Massachusetts preparing for vaccination distribution

Approximately 59,000 Massachusetts health care workers and nursing home residents may start receiving COVID-19 vaccine doses within days, if the vaccine receives authorization. The Bay State expects to receive 300,000 doses by the end of December. The state will release more details in coming days.

Will it cost anything? No one who receives a COVID-19 vaccine will have to pay for it. The federal government is paying for the vaccine, and health plans, including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, are paying for clinicians to give the shot.

Mass. hospitals to limit some in-patient elective procedures

Starting Dec. 11, hospitals will limit in-patient elective procedures that can be safely postponed. The restrictions are more narrow than those put in place in the spring, and screenings such as mammograms and colonoscopies as well as any medically necessary procedures will continue.

Why? Hospitals need to free up staff and beds as rising numbers of health care workers are out sick and Massachusetts continues to see a spike in COVID-19 hospital admissions: On Nov. 7, the seven-day average of coronavirus hospitalizations in the state was 510. As of Dec. 7, there were more than 1,500, including 302 in intensive care.

Mass. to increase free testing

The state is expanding free Stop the Spread testing sites, aiming to perform 110,000 COVID-19 tests per week — a 50% testing increase for public sites alone.

Where can I get a free test? In Massachusetts, free testing is available to anyone, even if you do not have any symptoms and have no known exposure to infection. Read this Coverage article for testing information.

Find the nearest testing site in Boston

Cases likely to rise in coming weeks

Infections, hospitalizations and deaths are likely to continue to surge in coming days and weeks due to Thanksgiving travel and gatherings, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director Dr. Anthony Fauci said Dec. 7, noting it takes two or three weeks for data to show infection trends. Hospitalization rates are already at all-time highs.

What can you do? Advice from the CDC and health officials remains the same: Wear a mask. Wash your hands. Avoid crowds. Stay six feet from people who don’t live with you. Don’t socialize indoors.