(air whooshing)

- The good news is COVID cases in the U.S.

are down nearly 50%.

Hospitalizations are down nearly 40%,

but new vaccine mandates are coming,

and as we head into the winter months,

the government is close to recommending

more Americans get booster shots.

- So we do have a unanimous19 out of 19 yes votes.

- [Jennifer] An FDApanel voted unanimously

in favor of recommending a third shot

for the Moderna vaccine.

It would be a half dosegiven at least six months

after the second shot to seniorsand Americans at high risk.

The full FDA still has to approve it.

Many Americans who got the Pfizer vaccine

are already getting their booster shots,

and the approval process fora Johnson and Johnson booster

will soon be underway.

The FDA panels stress there's no evidence

it's necessary to openbooster shots to everyone

despite the Biden Administration's plans

to eventually do so.

And in the next few weeks,

the FDA will determinewhether the COVID vaccine

is authorized for childrenages five through 11.

The Federal government hasalready purchased enough doses

for that age group.

Meanwhile, in a briefaddress after which he again

took no questions from reporters,

the President announced hisprivate sector vaccine mandate

will soon take effect.

- Our Labor Departmentis gonna soon be issuing

an emergency rule for companieswith 100 or more employees

to implement vaccinationrequirements among their workforce.

- [Jennifer] Those employeeswill have to get the vaccine

or submit to regular COVID testing.

It's an effort by the governmentto get shots into the arms

of the 66 million Americanswho remain unvaccinated.

- Let's be clear.

Vaccination requirementsshould not be another issue

that divides us.

- [Jennifer] But the President'salready facing pushback.

The Republican NationalCommittee has said it will sue

over the private sector mandate.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott

this week signed an executive order

he says nullifies the federalmandate for businesses

in the Lone Star state,

and at least 24 Attorneys General

have announced they'llsue over the mandate.

Also, according to Front Lines Ohio,

a group of Ohio clergyrepresenting 100 churches

sent a letter to Bidenpointing out his promise

as President-elect not toissue a vaccine mandate.

The group says "He's now crossed a line.

"The people should have the ability

"to make their own health decisions,"

the letter reads.

Jennifer Wishon, CBN News.