Mandates: According to a new survey from consulting firm Gallagher, more than twice as many U.S. employers, 17%, are now mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for those returning to the office compared to the company’s August survey, when just 8% said they would mandate the shots. The latest report from Gallagher also found that many employers are encouraging vaccination through incentives. Almost half (49%) provide time off to receive the vaccine and 10% use financial incentives. Read more.
Methane regulations: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency plans to propose a broad expansion and strengthening of rules to limit methane emissions from oil and natural gas production, in what President Biden has deemed a critical initiative to limit one of the most potent greenhouse gases, The Wall Street Journal reports. The EPA proposal would put roughly 1 million new and existing wells under EPA methane regulation, with more stringent requirements for new wells in addition to the first-time regulations for old ones. Read the full story.
CDC debate: Should all school-age kids get Pfizer’s pediatric COVID-19 vaccine? That’s the question before an influential government advisory panel today. The Food and Drug Administration has authorized emergency use of kid-size doses for children ages 5 to 11. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also must sign off before widespread vaccinations begin in that age group. CDC’s advisers are weighing who will get the most benefit as they deliberate whether to recommend the shots for up to 28 million more children, or perhaps only for those most vulnerable to serious illness. Their recommendation will go to the CDC director for the final say. Read more.
