Coronavirus vaccine news, updates and information for 7-07-2021

<p>This is Vaccine 411, the latest coronavirus vaccine information for July 7th, 2021.</p><p><br></p><p>The CDC says the delta variant is now the dominant strain in the U.S., accounting for more than 51% of COVID-19 cases. In parts of the U.S., Midwestern states like Missouri, Kansas, and Iowa, delta accounts for more than 80% of new infections.</p><p><br></p><p>New data from Israel shows the Pfizer vaccine appears less effective at preventing COVID-19 cases from the delta variant but it’s still highly effective at preventing hospitalizations. From June 6 to July 2, the vaccine showed 64% efficacy at preventing cases and 94% efficacy at preventing hospitalizations.</p><p><br></p><p>Things do seem to be going backwards around the world. Sydney, Australia extended its hard lockdown, saying the delta strain is a game-changer. Mexico had the biggest jump in new daily infections since late February. Greece is planning to reimpose curbs on entertainment. South Korea reports a case level unseen since the worst of its outbreak in December. Fiji has record infections and a mortuary at the main hospital filled to capacity. And in parts of Indonesia, they’ve run out of oxygen, causing the deaths of dozens of critically ill COVID-19 patients.</p><p><br></p><p>So what do we know for sure about the new Lambda variant? It was first identified in Peru and is now in 29 countries. Scientists don’t know if it’s more transmissible. There's not a lot of data yet on how effective the vaccines are. Early findings suggest it is more infectious and can better escape the antibodies elicited by the Chinese CoronaVac vaccine, but that seems to be the only vaccine tested. The CDC has yet to identify Lambda as a variant of interest.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>The Pentagon is thinking about making vaccinations mandatory for troops once the FDA fully approves the shots. It wouldn’t be anything new. They’re already mandated to get 17 different vaccines, including shots against measles, mumps, diphtheria, hepatitis, smallpox and the flu. But some hav