Coronavirus Vaccine

Since March 13, 2020, when Gov. Jim Justice announced that all K-12 schools would close due to the looming coronavirus pandemic, West Virginia’s education system has been climbing a steep hill to get kids back on track. West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s new summer-long series, “Closing the COVID Gap,” will explore this challenging road ahead for educators, students and families as they work together to close the learning gap created by the pandemic.

Youth in West Virginia ages 12-15 may soon have access to the Pfizer vaccine. The company is waiting on the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve the use of its vaccine in this age group.

On this West Virginia Morning, we look at new and growing collegiate recovery programs for students struggling with substance use disorder. Also, we have updates on the COVID-19 vaccine, school bus replacements, and a story about the 50th anniversary of the Twenty-sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in West Virginia.

On this West Virginia Morning, we explore how the New River Gorge becoming a national park is expected to bring in more visitors. Also, we have a report on the impacts of the latest census in West Virginia, an update on COVID-19 vaccinations, and a conversation with a Charleston native who visited every national park in the country.

On this West Virginia Morning, this summer marks the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Blair Mountain — the largest armed uprising in America since the Civil War, and a major event in West Virginia history. Also, we have a report on the demand for the COVID-19 vaccine and a story on Sen. Joe Manchin’s influence on energy policy.

On this West Virginia Morning, we bring you three stories about the live-saving COVID-19 vaccines. First, our health reporter June Leffler speaks with infectious disease experts who say the vaccines are safe. Then, we bring you two stories about vaccine hesitancy: how vaccine hesitancy is hindering the vaccination campaign in the Ohio Valley and how Virginia Tech researchers are tackling misinformation.

On this West Virginia Morning, the Food and Drug Administration approved the Johnson and Johnson, one-shot vaccine for emergency use. Now, there are three different vaccines available in the United States. We hear about them from experts. Also, we hear about a group called Re-Imagine Appalachia, and we have a conversation with CBS News' Senior White House Correspondent and West Virginian Weijia Jiang.

How did West Virginia become one of the world's leaders in delivering COVID-19 vaccines? One piece of the story starts with a striking photograph in the local paper.

Three cases of the COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7, or commonly known as the UK Variant, have been detected in north central West Virginia, state health officials announced Friday evening.“While the presence of this COVID-19 variant in West Virginia is not surprising, it’s a good motivator for us to double down on the prevention efforts we’ve had in place for many months now,” said Dr. Ayne Amjad, West Virginia’s state health officer, in a statement Friday.

On this West Virginia Morning, West Virginia has been celebrated for its efficiency at distributing the coronavirus vaccine, but a local faith group is trying to make sure it is just as good at distributing vaccines to people of color. Also, in this show, we have updates from West Virginia’s statehouse, and we explore community revitalization during the pandemic.