* Austria has announced plans to implement a general vaccination mandate next month. It would apply to all residents 14 and older. It’s the first European country to do so. No less noteworthy, Austria plans to impose fines of up to 36,00 euros ($4,000) on those who flout the mandate.
* US COVID death toll: approximately 800,000.
* New York City will be implementing a sweeping vaccine mandate for all private companies beginning on Dec. 27.
* The CDC now recommends everyone 16and over get a booster shot.
* Hillsborough County: 65 percent of eligible residents 5 and up have been vaccinated.