10.73°C Vancouver

Dec 22, 2021 10:54 PM - The Canadian Press

Pfizer pill authorized by U.S. to reduce the risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19

Share On
pfizer-pill-authorized-by-u-s-to-reduce-the-risk-of-hospitalization-and-death-from-covid-19
The US has authorized a Pfizer pill that can be taken at home to reduce the risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19. (Photo - Pfizer Inc./Twitter)

The US has authorized a Pfizer pill that can be taken at home to reduce the risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19.

The Food and Drug Administration announcement comes as America braces for a wave of new infections from the Omicron variant that is threatening already-strained hospitals.

Pfizer's prescription pill is the first U-S medication that doesn't require an injection or an I-V.

The drug was authorized for high-risk patients who are most likely to get severe illness.

Latest news

alberta-begins-search-for-new-auditor-general-as-wylies-term-nears-end
AlbertaNov 04, 2025

Alberta begins search for new auditor general as Wylie’s term nears end

The Alberta government is moving ahead with a search for the province’s next auditor general, even as the current officeholder, Doug Wylie, offered to remain for two additional years to complete ongoing investigations. Wylie, whose eight-year term expires in April 2026, has been overseeing an audit of health-care contract procurement practices following corruption allegations involving a former senior official at Alberta Health Services. Despite his offer to stay on and finish the review, United Conservative Party members on a legislative committee voted to begin recruiting for his replaceme
sentencing-postponed-for-calgary-man-in-boxing-day-crash-that-killed-young-girl
AlbertaNov 04, 2025

Sentencing postponed for Calgary man in Boxing Day crash that killed young girl

The sentencing of a Calgary man who admitted responsibility for a crash that claimed the life of a nine-year-old girl has been delayed until next year. Duane Nepoose pleaded guilty earlier this year to several charges, including dangerous driving causing death, dangerous driving causing bodily harm, robbery, and fleeing from police following a Boxing Day collision in Calgary. Court proceedings revealed that Nepoose had stolen a minivan and was speeding through city traffic when he ran a red light, colliding with another vehicle. The crash killed nine-year-old Victoria Desjardins and injured se
five-year-old-boy-dies-after-being-struck-by-suv-in-northeast-edmonton
AlbertaNov 04, 2025

Five-year-old boy dies after being struck by SUV in northeast Edmonton

Edmonton police are investigating a tragic incident that claimed the life of a five-year-old boy in the city’s northeast on Monday morning. Investigators say a Jeep Cherokee was leaving the parking lot of a residential complex when the child, who was running along a nearby sidewalk, fell and was struck by the vehicle. Emergency responders transported the boy to hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police say neither speed nor alcohol are believed to have contributed to the crash. The Edmonton Police Service’s major collisions unit continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding t
federal-government-to-present-first-budget-under-prime-minister-carney
CanadaNov 04, 2025

Federal government to present first budget under Prime Minister Carney

The federal Liberals are set to table their long-awaited budget today, marking the government’s first fiscal plan in nearly a year and the first under Prime Minister Mark Carney’s leadership. Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon told MPs on Monday that the budget will focus on affordability, promising measures to lower taxes and expand opportunities for young Canadians. He said the plan is designed to make Canadians “proud” while keeping fiscal discipline in mind. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne described the upcoming budget as one that will deliver “generational in
WorldNov 04, 2025

Former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney dies at 84

Former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, a central figure in American politics for decades and one of the most influential vice presidents in modern history, has died at the age of 84. His family said Cheney passed away Monday from complications related to pneumonia and long-term heart and vascular disease. Cheney served as vice president from 2001 to 2009 under President George W. Bush, where he played a dominant role in shaping U.S. foreign and security policy after the September 11 attacks. A key advocate for the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Cheney became a defining — and divisive — voice of A

Related News