- FDA likely to authorize Pfizer vaccine for those aged 12 to 15
- President to speak at White House on US vaccine strategy
- ‘It’s a minefield’: the Americans who can’t afford the dentist
2.42pm BST
Liz Cheney, the third most senior membership of the GOP’s House leadership, has been heavily criticized by fellow Republicans in recent months for pushing back on Donald Trump’s nonsense claims that the election was stolen, and for her impeachment vote.
Trump-supporting representatives in Congress have been pushing for Cheney, the House Republican conference chair, to be removed from that powerful position, which could be achieved if House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy called for a vote on Cheney’s future. Shortly after her vote to impeach Trump, the Wyoming GOP had also voted to censure her.
Related: Liz Cheney says Trump’s ‘big lie’ poisons democracy as split with Republicans grows
2.27pm BST
House minority leader Kevin McCarthy appeared open to the idea of ousting Liz Cheney from Republican leadership over her continued criticism of Donald Trump for peddling the “big lie” that there was widespread fraud in the presidential election.
While speaking to Fox News this morning, McCarthy was asked about some House Republicans’ efforts to push Cheney out of her role as Republican conference chairwoman.
“I have heard from members concerned about her ability to carry out the job as conference chair, to carry out the message” — Kevin McCarthy indicates on Fox & Friends that Liz Cheney is likely toast as House Republican Conference Chair pic.twitter.com/afP2D971Zq
The 2020 presidential election was not stolen. Anyone who claims it was is spreading THE BIG LIE, turning their back on the rule of law, and poisoning our democratic system.
2.10pm BST
US pharmacy chains CVS and Walgreens are responsible for the vast majority of wasted vaccine doses, which total more than 180,000 reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), according to a story from Kaiser Health News.
As of late March, the CDC recorded 182,874 tossed doses. CVS and Walgreens combined wasted 128,500 doses – CVS wasted about half and Walgreens 21%.
Related: CVS and Walgreens wasted 128,500 Covid vaccine doses, report finds
1.59pm BST
Greetings from Washington, live blog readers.
Joe Biden will deliver remarks on the coronavirus pandemic and the US vaccination strategy at the White House later this afternoon.
The announcement is set to come a month after the company found that its shot, which is already authorized for those age 16 and older, also provided protection for the younger group.
The federal official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to preview the FDA’s action, said the agency was expected to expand its emergency use authorization for Pfizer’s two-dose vaccine by early next week, and perhaps even sooner. The person familiar with the process, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal matters, confirmed the timeline and added that it is expected that the FDA will approve Pfizer’s use by even younger children sometime this fall.
The FDA action will be followed by a meeting of a federal vaccine advisory committee to discuss whether to recommend the shot for 12- to 15-year-olds. Shots could begin after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention adopts the committee’s recommendation. Those steps could be completed in a matter of days.
Related: US to authorize Pfizer vaccine for ages 12-15 early next week – report