/covid-19 COVID-19 en-US Copyright KUT News 2025 Fri, 14 Mar 2025 10:01:00 GMT /health/2025-03-14/covid-19-vaccine-hesitancy-austin-tx-vaccinations-shots Vaccine hesitancy was rising even before COVID-19 emerged â€� but the pandemic exacerbated the trend. More kindergartners are opting out of school vaccine requirements, and state lawmakers are trying to make it even easier to do so. Fri, 14 Mar 2025 10:01:00 GMT /health/2025-03-14/covid-19-vaccine-hesitancy-austin-tx-vaccinations-shots Olivia Aldridge /covid-19/2024-07-23/when-is-the-right-time-to-get-a-covid-19-booster-in-austin An updated COVID vaccine will be available this fall, but some folks might want to re-up their vaccine protection sooner. Tue, 23 Jul 2024 19:22:24 GMT /covid-19/2024-07-23/when-is-the-right-time-to-get-a-covid-19-booster-in-austin Olivia Aldridge /health/2024-01-22/austin-covid-19-2024 With many folks using home tests, it takes a patchwork of metrics to get a full picture of COVID. But regardless of what the data shows at a granular level, the health guidance is the same â€� stay home if you're sick, cover your cough and get vaccinated. Mon, 22 Jan 2024 11:00:00 GMT /health/2024-01-22/austin-covid-19-2024 Olivia Aldridge /politics/2023-10-31/texas-legislature-passes-ban-on-covid-19-vaccine-mandates-from-private-employers Under Senate Bill 7, which now heads Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk, private employers in Texas can’t require workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Any found in violation of the ban would be fined $50,000. Tue, 31 Oct 2023 22:01:04 GMT /politics/2023-10-31/texas-legislature-passes-ban-on-covid-19-vaccine-mandates-from-private-employers Sergio Martínez-Beltrán /covid-19/2023-09-25/what-to-know-about-covid-in-austin-this-fall COVID-19 activity has been high over the past month, but new vaccines and free testing options have also arrived. Mon, 25 Sep 2023 17:10:05 GMT /covid-19/2023-09-25/what-to-know-about-covid-in-austin-this-fall Olivia Aldridge /education/2023-09-22/i-dont-want-to-go-back-to-the-struggle-austin-child-care-providers-brace-for-end-of-covid-aid Nearly 50% of child care providers in AGÕæÈË°Ù¼ÒÀÖ County are not sure if they’ll be able to keep their doors open after federal relief funds run out. Fri, 22 Sep 2023 10:01:00 GMT /education/2023-09-22/i-dont-want-to-go-back-to-the-struggle-austin-child-care-providers-brace-for-end-of-covid-aid Becky Fogel /covid-19/2023-09-11/new-covid-vaccines-get-fda-approval Vaccines for a fall immunization drive against COVID-19 just got the green light from the Food and Drug Administration. The agency says the vaccines can protect people, as hospitalizations tick up. Mon, 11 Sep 2023 18:59:10 GMT /covid-19/2023-09-11/new-covid-vaccines-get-fda-approval Rob Stein /science/2023-06-19/vaccine-expert-dr-peter-hotez-harassed-outside-houston-home-after-weekend-of-online-attacks The attacks against Hotez began after he criticized a podcast hosted by Joe Rogan and featuring Democratic presidential candidate and anti-vaxxer Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Mon, 19 Jun 2023 20:49:28 GMT /science/2023-06-19/vaccine-expert-dr-peter-hotez-harassed-outside-houston-home-after-weekend-of-online-attacks Mark Norris /covid-19/2023-06-08/new-study-shows-austinites-east-of-i-35-were-up-to-10-times-more-likely-to-get-covid While national data has long suggested that COVID-19 has affected low-income and minority groups at higher rates than others, this new research offers a hyperlocal view of pandemic disparities in Austin. Thu, 08 Jun 2023 10:45:00 GMT /covid-19/2023-06-08/new-study-shows-austinites-east-of-i-35-were-up-to-10-times-more-likely-to-get-covid Olivia Aldridge /covid-19/2023-05-11/the-covid-19-public-health-emergency-is-ending-but-austin-says-people-should-remain-careful The federal emergency expires at the end of the day. Austin Public Health officials remind people COVID is still circulating and asks them to do what they can to prevent its spread. Thu, 11 May 2023 16:57:18 GMT /covid-19/2023-05-11/the-covid-19-public-health-emergency-is-ending-but-austin-says-people-should-remain-careful Jennifer Stayton