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Pfizer vaccine for kids, Rapid COVID-19 tests, Steelers vs. Browns: 5 things you need to know Monday

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FDA reportedly close to authorizing third Pfizer shot for kids 12-15

The Food and Drug Administration is reportedly poised to authorize a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine for kids ages 12-15 as early as Monday, according to the New York Times. Regulators also plan to allow adolescents and adults to get the third shots five months after receiving the second dose of Pfizer’s vaccine instead of the current six months, the Times reported, citing sources it described as familiar with the agency's deliberations. A third shot, often referred to as a booster, is also expected to be authorized for children as young as 5 with immune deficiencies. The booster could help ease the health threat faced by millions of students returning to classrooms Monday after a holiday break that saw daily coronavirus infections surge to record levels.

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Rapid tests key to schools reopening amid COVID-19 surge

In anticipation of steep challenges reopening schools amid an omicron-driven surge of infections, school districts are planning to ramp up COVID-19 testing as classes resume this week. California, Connecticut and New York are among the states that sent millions of rapid antigen tests to schools and families ahead of reopening. Washington, D.C., and Baltimore are extending winter break by two days to test staff and students before reopening buildings Jan. 5. Chicago is recommending parents administer rapid tests to their children before returning to school. And New York City is devising a rapid test strategy to stem the tide of cases while also keeping as many children in class as possible, city officials said. But leaders nationwide are still scrambling to work out the details – leaving big questions about safety and logistics.

Winter storm rolls through Midwest; warm East in for a shocker

A winter storm roaring through a swath of the Midwest over the weekend is poised to blast parts of the East with the first major snow of the season. A winter storm watch was issued on Monday for much of the Washington, D.C., and Baltimore area. Up to 6 inches of snow could fall in some areas, the National Weather Service said. "The ingredients are in place for part of the mid-Atlantic to have snow fall at a heavy rate of 1-3 inches per hour for a time on Monday," AccuWeather Meteorologist Ryan Adamson said. Questions remain as to how far north the northern extent of the heavy snow will end up. 

Steelers, Browns face off in Ben Roethlisberger's likely last game in Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7-1) will host the Cleveland Browns (7-8) on Monday in what may turn out to be quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's last game at Heinz Field. Although Roethlisberger, 39, declined to go into specifics on whether he was thinking about possible retirement e week, he acknowledged "that all signs are pointing to this could be it. Regular season, that is." The game will hold extra significance for the Steelers, who will need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. Cleveland was eliminated from playoff contention Sunday evening.

Quadrantid meteor shower expected to peak this week

One of the biggest meteor showers of the year is expected to peak over the next few days, producing over 100 meteoroids per hour, according to Space.com. Known as the Quadrantid meteor shower, the spectacle happens only once a year, always around the beginning of January, according to Space.com. Under perfect conditions, 60 to 200 meteors can be seen per hour, according to NASA. The activity range is from Dec. 26 to Jan. 16, but the peak lasts just six hours. Different sources disagree on the precise date of the peak; some expected it to peak Sunday night into Monday morning and others say it will occur Monday night into Tuesday morning. 

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