This is Vaccine 411, the latest coronavirus vaccine information for November 17th, 2021.

Why is Europe struggling so much? We may have at least a partial answer. A new variant has been detected in several countries there that has some mutations scientists haven’t seen before. It’s called B.1.X and it’s been found in France, the UK, Switzerland, Scotland, and Italy. It’s not known yet if the mutation means it’s as or any more dangerous than Delta.

Yesterday we told you that some states and cities are not waiting on the FDA or CDC and are administering boosters to all adults 18 and over. And here they are. Arkansas, West Virginia, New York City, Colorado, California, and New Mexico. So far, about 15% of those who are fully vaccinated have also gotten a booster shot.

Things are not going well in Russia at all, but yesterday it announced it will resume allowing air travel to Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Costa Rica, and Mongolia starting Dec. 1. Remaining restrictions will also be lifted on flights to Cuba, Mexico, and Qatar. In all, Russia’s resumed flights with over 60 countries. Cases and deaths there are at record highs with a full vaccination rate at less than 40%.

A second set of states has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the administration's vaccine mandate for health care workers in the US. This one is on behalf of 12 states, added to a previous suit involving 10 states. The new ones are Louisiana, Montana, Arizona, Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah, and West Virginia.

If standing outside in the freezing cold for hours packed in with a throng of people is your thing, good news for you. Times Square will be open for celebrations this New Year’s Eve, though only the vaccinated will be allowed access to the area. In 2021 there was a virtual ball-dropping celebration only.

In the United States cases were up 18%, deaths are down 15%, and hospitalizations are down 4% over 14 days. The 7-day average of new cases has been trending up since November 3. 

The five states that had the most daily deaths per 100,000 are Wyoming, Montana, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Idaho.

There are 9,235,181 active cases in the United States.

The five states with the greatest increase in hospitalizations per capita: New Hampshire 32%, Minnesota and Michigan 31%, New Mexico 29%, and Rhode Island 28%.

The top 10 counties with the highest number of recent cases per capita according to The New York Times: Scotts Bluff, NE. Nome Census Area, AK. Dodge, MN. Big Horn, MT. San Juan, NM. Bethel Census Area, AK. Scurry, TX. Wadena, MN. Goodhue, MN. And Grant, NM.

There have been at least 765,762 deaths in the U.S. recorded as Covid-related.

The top 3 vaccinating states by percentage of population that’s been fully vaccinated: Vermont at 72.1%, Rhode Island unchanged at 71.7%, and Maine at 71.5%. The bottom 3 vaccinating states are West Virginia unchanged at 41.2%, Wyoming unchanged at 44.8%, and Alabama unchanged at 45.5%. The percentage of the U.S. that’s been fully vaccinated is unchanged at 58.8%.

Globally, cases were up 13% and deaths were down 3% over 14 days, with the 7-day average trending up since October 15.

There are 19,364,712 active cases around the world.

The five countries with the most new cases: The United States 87,133. Germany 39,985. The U.K. 37,243. Russia 36,818. And Turkey 25,101.  

There have been at least 5,114,140 deaths reported as Covid-related worldwide.

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