Coronavirus 411, COVID-19, Delta variant and coronavirus vaccine info for October 18th, 2021.

<p>This is Vaccine 411, the latest coronavirus vaccine information for October 18th, 2021.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The FDA’s advisory panel voted unanimously to recommend Moderna booster shots for emergency use authorization. That moves millions in the U.S. closer to booster eligibility. The decision now goes to the FDA, which should make a final ruling in a few days. Moderna’s boosters are expected to be a half dose.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Almost 1,000 people descended on Times Square Saturday to protest the vaccine and vaccine mandates. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., board chair of Children’s Health Defense, was a main speaker and said, “The vaccine is not safe and effective. We have no business giving this to little children. It is unethical, it is medical malpractice.” YouTube recently censored and banned the Children Health Defense’s channel.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Melbourne has spent more time locked down than any city in the world. But that’s about to change. It will lift stay-at-home orders this week. It’s a city of 5 million people, but there have been six lockdowns totaling nearly nine months since March 2020. Cases are still rising there but the double-vaccination rate will hit 70% this week.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Russia is still struggling. A record-high number of cases in 24 hours since the start of the pandemic, and 997 deaths. That’s just five fewer than the daily record-high of 1,002 reported just the day before. Authorities blame a slow vaccination campaign.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>New guidance from the CDC on how you should celebrate the upcoming holidays and stay safe from COVID. It’s not really anything new. Get vaccinated, the unvaccinated should wear masks all the time, the vaccinated should wear masks in public indoor settings, gather outdoors if possible, protect kids 11 years old and younger who can’t get the vaccine yet, and avoid travel if you aren’t fully vaccinated.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>In the United States cases were down 23%, deaths are down 17%, and hospitalizations are down 18% over 14 days. The 7-day average o