Who can get a COVID vaccine—and how? It’s complicated.

Published

1 week ago

September 5, 2025

For these people, regardless of what state they are in, getting the vaccine would mean a pharmacist or doctor would have to go “off-label” to provide it.

“It’s very gray on how a pharmacist may proceed in that scenario,” Groves told Ars. Going off-label could open pharmacists up to liability concerns, she said. And even if a patient can obtain a prescription for an off-label vaccine, that still may not be enough to allow a pharmacist to administer the vaccine.

“Pharmacists have something called ‘corresponding responsibility,’ Groves explained. “So even if a physician, or a nurse practitioner, or whomever may send a prescription over for that vaccine, that pharmacist still has that responsibility to ensure this is the right medication, for the right patient, at the right time, and that they’re indicated for it,” she said. So, it would still be going outside what they’re technically authorized to do.

Doctors, on the other hand, can administer vaccines off-label, which they might do if they choose to follow guidance from medical organizations like AAP and ACOG, or if they think it’s best for their patient. They can do this without any heightened professional liability, contrary to some suggestions Kennedy has made (doctors prescribe things off-label all the time). But, people may have to schedule an appointment with their doctor and convince them to provide the shot—a situation far less convenient than strolling into a local pharmacy. Also, since pharmacies have provided the vast majority of COVID-19 vaccines so far, some doctors’ offices may not have them on hand.

Pregnancy

It’s unclear if pregnancy still falls under the FDA’s criteria for a high-risk condition. It was included in the list that FDA officials published in May. However, the agency did not make that list official when it changed the vaccine labels last month. Some experts have suggested that, in this case, the qualifying high-risk conditions default to the CDC’s existing list of high-risk conditions, which includes pregnancy. But it’s not entirely clear.

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Buccaneers vs. Texans: Baker Mayfield leads late 11-play, 80-yard TD drive to stun Houston, 20-19

Published

40 minutes ago

September 16, 2025

Frank Schwab

In Week 1, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offense didn’t do a lot, but Baker Mayfield came up huge when it mattered for a win.

After two weeks, it’s a trend.

The Buccaneers hadn’t scored in the second half when the Houston Texans scored just before the two-minute warning to take a 19-14 lead. Tampa Bay was without both tackles and protection was a big issue. And even though the offense was bad for 28 minutes of the second half, it did enough in the final two minutes to win.

Mayfield, who took big hits and was slow to get up on a couple occasions, kept the game alive with a big scramble on fourth-and-10 in the final two minutes. Then he marched Tampa Bay into position for Rachaad White to run for a 2-yard touchdown with six seconds left to give the Buccaneers a dramatic 20-19 win over the Houston Texans.

Last week, Mayfield threw a game-winning touchdown in the final minute to beat the Atlanta Falcons. That’s a dramatic way to go 2-0.

Mayfield has been good for the Buccaneers ever since they signed him to a bargain contract in 2023. So far this season Mayfield has been great when the Buccaneers needed it most.

Baker Mayfield’s legs helped keep the Bucs undefeated this season after winning on the road against the Texans on Monday night. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

(Alex Slitz via Getty Images)

Texans score first but Bucs take lead

The Buccaneers led 14-10 at halftime, but it was a tough half for them.

Offensive tackle Luke Goedeke left with a lower leg injury, leaving the Buccaneers without both of their stellar tackles. Tristan Wirfs hasn’t played yet this season due to a knee injury. Defensive tackle Calijah Kancey suffered a pectoral injury and his night was done.

The good news is the Buccaneers kept making plays despite injuries in the first half. They got off to a slow start when Nico Collins made a tremendous catch for a touchdown and a 7-0 Houston lead, but Mayfield was sharp. He had touchdowns to Ryan Miller and impressive rookie Emeka Egbuka. The Buccaneers’ defense played well, with the Texans struggling to establish any run game, and Collins’ touchdown was Houston’s last one of the first half.

The Buccaneers still had plenty to worry about, particularly in protecting Mayfield against a very good pass rush, but at least they had the lead.

Bucs D keeps them in it

The Buccaneers had a tough time on offense to start the second half. Eventually, their injuries on the offensive line became a major problem. The Bucs’ defense did its best to maintain the lead.

The Bucs had a big goal-line stand early in the fourth quarter. Stroud completed a few passes downfield and got Houston to the 1-yard line. But Chubb was stopped short on second down, Collins had a pass go off his hands on third down and then Stroud overthrew Collins as he rolled out to his left on fourth down.

Houston’s defense also kept the Texans in the game. Then Houston’s special teams made two huge plays. Bucs punter Riley Dixon took too long against the Texans’ rush and had a punt blocked. Houston took over at Tampa Bay’s 35-yard line with a little more than six minutes left, trailing 14-10. But the Texans had an errant pass from Stroud, a run for nothing and then on third down Stroud threw a pass that should have been picked off by linebacker Lavonte David, hitting him right in the hands before he dropped it. The Texans settled for a 53-yard field goal. Then Jaylin Noel’s long punt return, in which officials picked up a flag for a block in the back or holding, set up Chubb’s touchdown and the lead with just over two minutes remaining.

The Texans had to get one more stop, and the Buccaneers’ offense was limited due to protection issues. But the Bucs got a drive going. Mayfield had Egbuka deep downfield but Egbuka dropped a pass that hit his hands. That seemed to end Tampa’s hopes but Mayfield saved the drive by scrambling for a first down on fourth-and-10. Bucky Irving had a 22-yard gain on a dumpoff pass, making multiple tacklers miss. A couple passes later and the Buccaneers handed to White, who scored up the middle to take the lead with nine seconds left.

Tampa Bay has been on the edge of a couple losses so far this season. Mayfield has shown his value to the Buccaneers in those tense spots.

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Where to watch Raiders vs. Chargers: Prediction, odds, TV, live streaming for ‘Monday Night Football’

Published

2 hours ago

September 16, 2025

Zachary Pereles

It’s a clash of the two NFL teams that have moved most recently when the Los Angeles Chargers visit the Las Vegas Raiders as the second part of a “Monday Night Football” doubleheader in Week 2.

The Chargers come in on a high — and well-rested — after defeating the Chiefs, 27-21, on Sept. 5 in São Paulo, Brazil. Justin Herbert was fantastic, throwing for 318 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions and completing nearly 74% of his passes. Herbert spread the ball out to eight different pass-catchers, with four — Quentin Johnston, Ladd McConkey, Keenan Allen and Tyler Conklin — recording at least 50 receiving yards. Herbert also converted a key third down with his legs to seal the game.

Click here to bet Chargers vs. Raiders at DraftKings Sportsbook, where new users get $200 in bonus bets and over $200 off NFL Sunday Ticket:

The Raiders are also 1-0 after a rainy 20-13 Week 1 win over the Patriots. In his team debut, Geno Smith threw for 362 yards, one touchdown and one interception, and prized rookie running back Ashton Jeanty scored in his team debut. Star tight end Brock Bowers reeled in five catches for 103 yards but left with a knee injury, and his status is up in the air.

Here’s where you can watch Monday night’s game, followed by keys to the game and a prediction.

Where to watch Chargers at Raiders live

When: Monday, Sept. 15 at 10 p.m. ET
Where: Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas)
TV channel: ESPN | Stream: Fubo (Try for free)
Odds: Chargers -3 | O/U 46.5 (via FanDuel)

Chargers at Raiders: What to know

Bowers injury looms large: Coming off a 112-catch, 1,194-yard rookie season, Bowers was having a big Week 1 before taking an awkward hit to the knee from Craig Woodson at the end of a 38-yard catch-and-run late in the third quarter. He played one more snap but was clearly hobbled, and he did not return after that. If Bowers cannot play, expect Michael Mayer and Jakobi Meyers to feature in the passing game.

First-round rookie running backs face off: Jeanty (No. 6 overall) and Omarion Hampton (No. 22 overall) were the first two running backs selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. Now, they face each other. Jeanty managed just 38 yards on 19 carries, but he did find the end zone. Hampton fared slightly better yardage-wise with 48 yards on 15 carries but did not score.

Coaching rivalry renewed: This will be the 10th meeting between Jim Harbaugh and Pete Carroll, though their first with their current teams. Carroll (then with the Seahawks) had a 5-4 record against Harbaugh’s 49ers, including a 23-17 NFC Championship in the 2013 season. Overall, Carroll has defeated Harbaugh three straight times.

Chargers at Raiders pick

The surprise star of the Raiders’ Week 1 win was the defense, which sacked Drake Maye four times and intercepted him off once.

But the Chargers’ offense is a much tougher test. Herbert looked outstanding in Week 1, and so did his weapons. Herbert has won his last three starts against the Raiders, including a 346-yard, two-touchdown performance in Week 18 last year. This year’s Raiders are better than last year’s, but not quite good enough.

Pick: Chargers 27, Raiders 20 (Chargers -3, over 46.5)

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Bengals coach Zac Taylor confirms Joe Burrow will have surgery on left toe

Published

2 hours ago

September 16, 2025

Joe Reedy

CINCINNATI (AP) — Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow will have surgery on his injured left toe, coach Zac Taylor confirmed Monday.

“We are working through the details and timelines. We will go through the week and get all the information we can,” Taylor said during an afternoon news conference.

Taylor did not have a timeline for when Burrow will have surgery or how long the franchise quarterback might be out. The turf toe injury is expected to sideline Burrow a minimum of three months.

“I don’t know what a toe rehab looks like,” Taylor said. “I know Joe’s gonna give it everything he’s got. He’s gonna do everything he can to get onto the field.”

It is Burrow’s third major injury in his six seasons since being the top overall pick in the 2020 draft and a major blow to Cincinnati, which is off to its first 2-0 start since 2018 and has postseason aspirations after missing the playoffs the past two seasons.

Burrow left the Bengals’ locker room on crutches and wearing a boot on his left foot on Sunday after injuring his toe during the second quarter of Cincinnati’s 31-27 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Burrow was sacked by Jaguars defensive tackle Arik Armstead for a 5-yard loss at the Bengals 35-yard line with 9:02 remaining in the first half. It was the second time Burrow had been sacked in the game.

Burrow went into the sideline medical tent. He came out and walked briefly with a limp before heading to the locker room.

Guard Dalton Risner, who was beaten by Armstead on the sack, took some of the blame for Burrow’s injury when he met with reporters on Monday

“That one play has really been devastating for me because I got beat on the play,” Risner said. “I think he got tackled by two or three guys, but I know my guy was in on the tackle. It just makes your stomach hurt. … I don’t think I did a good enough job on that play to keep him safe and healthy.”

Burrow led the league last season with 4,918 passing yards and 43 TD passes.

He has been sacked 201 times in six seasons, the second most in the league since 2020. His latest injury again puts the Bengals’ front office in the spotlight for electing to give high-value contracts to wide receivers Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase without properly addressing the offensive line.

“I don’t know how a turf toe injury fully happens, if you get hit or stepped on. I know that potentially he could have been clean for 99% of the game, and the one play is where this happens,” Taylor said.

“I get it. I understand where people are going to come from. They’re going to be very attacking of us. Our style of play got us to a Super Bowl, two AFC championship games and two division titles, and won a lot of games for us. We’re always evaluating how we can protect our players and put them in the best position possible.”

Burrow’s injury comes at an inopportune time for the Bengals, who play at Minnesota next week to begin a stretch of five straight opponents that made the playoffs last year.

The Vikings also have an injured quarterback. Carson Wentz is expected to start after J.J. McCarthy sprained his right ankle during the second half of Minnesota’s 22-6 loss to Atlanta on Sunday night.

“We’re 2-0 and we’ve got a lot of good energy right now,” Taylor said. “There are plenty of things to clean up. We haven’t put our best foot forward or put together our best football collectively.”

Jake Browning will be the starter in Burrow’s absence. Against the Jaguars, Browning completed 21 of 32 passes for 241 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. He also scored the go-ahead touchdown with 18 seconds remaining on a 1-yard leap.

“We have a ton of confidence in Jake. He proved that (Sunday),” Taylor said. “We’re excited for Jake to go there and play. He’s earned the right to be in the spotlight.”

Brett Rypien is likely to be called up from the practice squad when Burrow gets placed on injured reserve, but Taylor said the team would look for another QB to add to the active roster or the practice squad.

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

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