Note that some links may require registration or subscription.

Participation award for developing a COVID-19 vaccine candidate goes to CureVac — the German company announced interim trial results and suggested variants were to blame for the 47% efficacy.

An extended and potentially lethal heat wave is threatening more than 40 million Americans in western parts of the country. (CNN)

What did Emergent BioSolutions do with its $628 million in federal contracts to manufacture COVID-19 vaccine? Hint: some executive bonuses might have been involved. (New York Times)

As of Thursday at 8 a.m. EDT, the unofficial U.S. COVID-19 toll reached 33,499,177 cases and 600,656 deaths, up 12,252 and 369, respectively, from this time a day ago.

Myocarditis-like symptoms in seven Virginia patients following COVID vaccination resolved after treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, colchicine, or prednisone. (Circulation)

The U.S. government purchased another 200 million doses of Moderna’s COVID vaccine, the company announced.

Latest CDC data show that 61.7% of the eligible U.S. population (age 12 and up) have been vaccinated against COVID-19, with 51.6% now fully vaccinated.

During the pandemic, the World Health Organization broke its own rules on hiring high-priced consultants, to the tune $11.7 million, all the while struggling to pay for vaccines and other life-saving equipment. (Vox)

Australia is limiting AstraZeneca’s vaccine to people over 60. (Reuters)

New survey data from the American COVID-19 Vaccine Poll offer a look inside people’s varied reasons for hesitancy.

Reportedly testing positive for COVID-19, star NBA point-guard Chris Paul has been sidelined and his status for the remainder of the playoffs is uncertain. (Arizona Sports)

The FDA warned against breathing in hand sanitizer vapors, recommending application in well-ventilated areas.

Blueprint Medicines announced FDA approval of avapritinib (Ayvakit) for adults with advanced systemic mastocytosis. Read MedPage Today‘s coverage of a study that supported approval.

Gay and bisexual men can now donate blood in the U.K.; the practice is still restricted in the U.S. (NPR)

How’s Apple doing in its goal to disrupt healthcare? Well … (Wall Street Journal)

A decades-old law in North Carolina banning abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy remains unconstitutional, a federal appeals court ruled. (AP)

The first patient, outside of a trial, has received aducanumab (Aduhelm), the controversial new drug approved for Alzheimer’s disease. (CNBC)

Royal Caribbean delayed one of its ships’ inaugural sail after multiple crew members tested positive for COVID. (NBC News)