A new report from the state health department shows COVID-19 vaccines continue to save lives in Arizona. But the highly contagious omicron variant drove a steep increase in breakthrough cases in December and January.

Some big news on the vaccine front: Babies as young as 6 months old could be able to get vaccinated against COVID-19 in a matter of weeks.

Like a lot of parents these days, Sara Wellensiek sends her kids to school with no small amount of trepidation. She has kids at both a charter and a district school in the Valley, and says both schools have lost her trust when it comes to ensuring COVID-19 safety.

Proof of vaccination has become increasingly more important around the world, but some people’s vaccination records may not match the name on their IDs. Through KJZZ's Q&AZ project, a listener asked: Is there a way to update your name on your vaccine records if you get it changed?

When it comes to the percentage of residents in long-term care who are boosted, the figure is low. Slightly more than 40% have received their third dose. And with the omicron variant spreading like wildfire in long-term care, AARP Arizona is calling on nursing homes to require boosters for staff and residents.

Gov. Doug Ducey’s office said the pandemic has taken a heartbreaking toll as the state surpasses 25,000 total deaths from COVID-19. But the governor’s office did not respond to several questions from KJZZ News about the state’s pandemic response.

The Arizona chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics is urging schools to require masks in response to the latest spike of COVID-19 cases.
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Arizona Republican Sen. Kelly Townsend from Mesa withdrew her request for Attorney General Mark Brnovich to investigate Pima County’s religious exemptions for their COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

With COVID-19 cases rising, the Phoenix City Council unanimously approved $4.9 million in federal funds to expand vaccine and testing programs and provide residents with at-home tests.