Virus Briefing: Monkeypox vaccine rollout stress

State officials say it has been slow and complicated.

View in browser|nytimes.com August 15, 2022 Welcome to the first edition of the Virus Briefing. As we told you last week, we're making some changes: Every Monday and Friday, this newsletter will provide updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other virus news. On Wednesdays, Jonathan Wolfe will be back with in-depth coverage, including interviews with experts and Times reporters to help you make sense of the week's news. If you're not interested in receiving the Virus Briefing, you can manage your email preferences here. TOP NEWS Lea Suzuki/San Francisco Chronicle, via Associated Press 'Frustration and Stress': State Officials Fault Rollout of Monkeypox Vaccine Federal officials are not relying on an established system to distribute the vaccine, slowing immunizations and burdening local health departments, critics say. By Apoorva Mandavilli Daniel Leal/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images U.K. Approves Covid Booster Vaccine That Targets Two Variants Britain is the first country to approve the Moderna-made vaccine, which generated a strong immune response against both the original virus and the Omicron variant. By Jenny Gross Carly Zavala for The New York Times The Pandemic Wasn't Supposed to Hurt New York Transit This Much New Yorkers fear a repeat of past service cuts as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority faces a $2.5 billion budget deficit in 2025. By Ana Ley Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters Japan Bounces Back to Economic Growth as Coronavirus Fears Recede A public weary of virus precautions pushed up consumption of goods and services, but the longer-term picture is uncertain as the global economy weakens. By Ben Dooley and Hisako Ueno What else we're following Ikea shoppers in Shanghai panicked as health authorities tried to lock down the store because of a possible Covid exposure, Bloomberg reported. Albert Bourla, the chief executive of Pfizer, tested positive for Covid-19 after receiving four doses of his company's vaccine, and is experiencing mild symptoms, CNN reports. An Indian pharmaceutical company is seeking approval for an intranasal Covid vaccine after encouraging clinical trials, the Business Standard reports. Body image disorders among men got worse during the pandemic, The Wall Street Journal reports. A new study found that BCG, a tuberculosis vaccine, protected people from contracting Covid, the Journal reported. Email your thoughts to virusbriefing@nytimes.com. Did a friend forward you the briefing? Sign up here. Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Virus Briefing from The New York Times. To stop receiving these emails, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018